Reposted from the CBT.com forums; thanks to Moonshadow for bringing this up)
http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100211_macon.htmlI'm as pleased to hear that, as I am shocked that it wasn't covered already.
The Macon and its sister ship Akron were truly revolutionary designs. Triple-keeled for strength, and helium-filled for safety. This allowed the diesel engines to be stored inside the envelope driving external propellors; this made them easier to service and lowered drag. The water evaporators on the sides compensated for the loss of weight cause by burning fuel; most other airships had to vent lifting gas in order to maintain neutral stability, the US airships pulled water from the air to balance. (They also meant plentiful water supply for the crew, previously a rarity in military airships).
Then there's the whole "flying aircraft carrier" concept, which was frankly a little whacky, but they made it work! It's unlikely carrier zeps would have replaced aircraft carriers, but it's still a magnificent achievement.
The Macon's loss was terribly sad. While it's arguable that the captain of the Akron made bad decisions flying into Great Plains thunderstorms, the Macon had no chance to avoid the sudden squalls that killed it. Evidence suggests the Macon hit the sort of wind-shear that still topples airplanes from the sky in the 21st century. Fortunately the USN had learned from the tragedies of the Shenandoah and Akron, and this time only two crew died.
A moment's silence, followed by a raised glass, for this grand old queen of the skies, please.
W.
