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LZ 129 Hindenburg
LZ 129 Hindenburg () was a large German commercial passenger-carrying rigid airship, the lead ship of the Hindenburg class, the largest flying machines of any kind ever built. The airship flew from March 1936 until destroyed by fire 14 months later at the end of the first transatlantic journey of its second season of service. Thirty-six people died in the accident, which occurred while landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Manchester Township, New Jersey. The event was widely reported by film, photography and radio media. The Hindenburg was named after the late Paul von Hindenburg (1847?1934), President of Germany (1925?1934).
Design and development
A rare surviving fire damaged 9" Duralumin cross brace from the frame of the "Hindenburg" salvaged in May 1937 from the crash site at NAS Lakehurst, NJ. The interior furnishings of the Hindenburg were designed by Professor Fritz August Breuhaus, whose design experience included Pullman coaches, ocean liners, and warships of the German Navy.[1] The upper A Deck contained small passenger quarters in the middle flanked by large public rooms: a dining room to port as well as a lounge and writing room to starboard. Paintings on the walls of the dining room portrayed the Graf Zeppelins trips to South America. A stylized world map covered the wall of the lounge. Long slanted windows ran the length of both decks. The passengers were expected to spend most of their time in the public areas rather than their cramped cabins.[2] Those who traveled on board the Hindenburg believed that it was the most luxurious aircraft ever to fly, and not a single passenger suffered from airsickness. The lower B Deck contained washrooms, a mess hall for the crew, and a smoking lounge. Recalled Harold G. Dick, an American representative from the Goodyear Zeppelin Corporation, "The only entrance to the smoking room, which was pressurized to prevent the admission of any leaking hydrogen, was via the bar, which had a swiveling air lock door, and all departing passengers were scrutinized by the bar steward to make sure they were not carrying out a lighted cigarette or pipe."[3] Use of Hydrogen instead of HeliumHelium was initially selected for the lifting gas as it was the safest to use in airships (absolutely nonflammable). At the time it was extremely expensive, available only from one or two mines in the United States under military control. Hydrogen by comparison could be cheaply produced by anyone and had considerably more lift. The American rigid airships using helium were forced to conserve the gas at all costs and this hampered their operation. While a hydrogen-filled ship could routinely valve gas as necessary, a helium-filled ship had to resort to dynamic force if it was too light to descend, a measure which took a toll on its structure. Initially the United States was willing to sell helium to the Germans, but soon a military embargo against Germany forced the re-engineering of the Hindenburg to use hydrogen for lift. Although the danger of using hydrogen (which unlike helium is flammable) was obvious, there were no alternative gases that could be produced in sufficient quantities that would provide sufficient lift. One beneficial side effect of employing hydrogen was that more passenger cabins could be added. The Germans' long history of flying hydrogen-filled passenger airships without a single injury or fatality engendered a widely-held belief that they had mastered the safe use of hydrogen. While the decision to fly with hydrogen may appear incredibly dangerous today it can be seen as quite reasonable at the time. The Hindenburg's stunning first season performance appeared to demonstrate this conclusively. Operational history
Flag of the Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei GmbH 1935-37 Die Deutschlandfahrt
Cover carried on the Hindenburg during the 1936 Deutschlandfahrt 
Propaganda leaflet dropped from the Hindenburg during the "Deutschlandfahrt" Unfortunately wind conditions were not good for takeoff that morning, but the Hindenburg's commander, Captain Ernst Lehmann, was determined to impress the politicians that were present on the field by rushing the takeoff. As the airship began to rise in a majestic manner with full engine power, however, a gust of wind hit the ship and the lower tail fin hit the ground, damaging the rear end of the fin.[6] Dr. Hugo Eckener was furious and rebuked Lehmann:
The Graf Zeppelin thus left alone on the propaganda mission while temporary repairs were made to the Hindenburg which then joined up with the smaller airship later that day.[8] As millions of Germans watched from below, the two giants of the sky flew throughout Germany for the next four days and nights dropping propaganda leaflets, blaring martial music and slogans from large loudspeakers, and broadcasting election speeches from a makeshift radio studio on board the Hindenburg. Two days after the "election" (in which Hitler received a 99% "yes" vote), Hindenburg made its first commercial flight, a transatlantic passage to Rio de Janeiro.[9] For the first time since the death of Count Zeppelin, Dr. Eckener was not the commander, however, and had no operations control over the airship on which he was only to be a passenger while Captain Lehmann commanded the ship. During the trip, Eckener received disturbing news ? a reporter notified him that he was now considered a "nonperson" by the Nazis and was banished from being mentioned in any media. During the flight out to Rio, an engine broke down because of a wrist-pin breakage, and was fixed at Recife, but could no longer run at full power. During the return flight, the same problem occurred with another engine, and while mechanics attempted to repair it, another engine broke down. The Hindenburg was now running on two engines and almost drifted into the Sahara Desert where it could have crashed. The crew raised the ship in order to search for counter-trade winds which were usually above 5,000 feet, well beyond the pressure height of the ship. However Hindenburg found a wind at 3,600 ft which brought it back to Friedrichsafen. The two engines restored partial power after repairs were made and were later overhauled. No subsequent problems occurred with either engine. Commercial and passenger operations
Zeppelin passenger lapel pins One year to the day before it crashed, the Hindenburg departed Germany on 6 May on its first of 10 North American flights flown in 1936 and arrived in Lakehurst, New Jersey three days later. Passengers observed that the ship was so stable (a pen or pencil reportedly could be stood on a table without falling) that some missed the takeoff and believed the ship was still on the ground. The cost of a ticket between Germany and Lakehurst was US$400 (about US$5,900 in 2008 dollars[11]), which was quite a considerable sum for the Depression era. Hindenburg passengers were generally affluent, including many leaders of industry. 
Cover carried on the D-LZ129 "Hindenburg" on the "Olympiafahrt 1936" (Berlin) During its first year in service, the airship had a special aluminium Blüthner grand piano placed on board in the music salon. It was the first piano ever placed in flight and helped host the first radio broadcast "air concert." The piano was removed after the first year to save weight.[13] Over the winter of 1936?37, several changes were made. The greater lift capacity allowed 10 passenger cabins to be added, nine with two beds and one with four beds, increasing the total passenger capacity to 72.[14] In addition, "gutters" were installed to collect rain for use as water ballast. Final flight
The Hindenburg shortly after catching fire. Around 7:00 p.m. local time on 6 May, at an altitude of , the Hindenburg with Captain Max Pruss at the helm approached the Lakehurst Naval Air Station and prepared to land. Twenty-five minutes later, the airship caught fire and quickly became completely engulfed in flames in only 37 seconds (since hydrogen gas is extremely flammable). The location of the initial fire, the source of ignition, and the initial source of fuel remain subjects of debate. Of the 36 passengers and 61 crew on board, 13 passengers and 22 crew died. One member of the ground crew was also killed, making a total of 36 lives lost in the disaster. The incident is widely remembered as one of the most dramatic accidents of modern time. The cause of the accident has never been determined, although many theories, some highly controversial, have been proposed. However, it is commonly accepted that had the Hindenburg been filled with helium, as opposed to hydrogen, the disaster would not have occurred. Popular culture
SpecificationsSee also
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