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Cameron Balloons

Semi-rigid Airship

A lighter-than-air craft whose slowness is not a flaw but the price of staying aloft for long.

Semi-rigid Airship — Airship
AngMoKio · CC BY-SA 3.0
Semi-rigid Airship — Airship
Steve Jurvetson auf flickr.com · CC BY 2.0
Semi-rigid Airship — Airship
Dietrich Krieger · CC BY-SA 3.0

Overview

An airship takes its lift from a gas lighter than air. What separates it from a balloon is propulsion and directional control: the route is not left to the wind.

In a semi-rigid design, a keel is placed inside the gas envelope. That strikes a balance between fully rigid classic airships and blimps: shape is retained while weight stays low.

The distinguishing strength of these craft is flying slowly and quietly. For observation, measurement and sightseeing work, endurance and freedom from vibration matter rather than speed.

Details

Brand
Cameron Balloons
Category
Airship
Body
Semi-rigid airship
Propulsion
pistonlu
Produced
1997–