Beyond The Sprues
Current and Finished Projects => Physical Models => Aero-space => Topic started by: Brian da Basher on May 03, 2012, 05:44:25 AM
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It was the summer of 1937 and the Hindenburg disaster was still fresh in everyone's mind. Against this backdrop, during the Paris disarmament talks, der Führer und Reichskanzler, Adolf Hitler was caught en flagrante delecto with a tray of pastries in his suite at the Georges V. Hitler and the Nazis were tossed from power in what Le Monde called L'Incidente les pouffes de la creme or the Cream Puff Incident. This gave Hugo Eckener, head of Deutsche Zeppelin Luftschiffbau, the opportunity to once again press the U.S. to supply him with helium. In early 1938, deliveries of helium began. While Deutsche Zeppelin Luftschiffbau had to scrap their grand plans for the Graf Zeppelin II due to cost over-runs, they were able to salvage enough to complete a new airship, the D-LZFN touted as flying safely with incombustible helium.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_01.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_02.jpg)
While some were apprehensive flying in an airship, those that did marveled at the speed and comfort the D-LZFN offered compared to ocean liners of the day. By 1939, all of the D-LZFN's Atlantic crossings were sold out. Crowds on the ground greeted the airship with great excitement wherever it flew, whether over New York, London, Paris, Berlin or Buenos Aires.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_03.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_04.jpg)
Unfortunately, wars in South America and Europe limited ocean crossings by 1941. The D-LZFN was sold off with all the other assets of the Deutsche Zeppelin Luftschiffbau when they went into bankruptcy in 1942. The once proud airship became home to the "Twirl & Hurl" ride at Kiddie Land amusement park in Weehawken, New Jersey until destroyed in a cotton candy explosion in 1972.
Brian da Basher
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The basis for this project was the venerable Glencoe U.S. Navy blimp kit. As I'd robbed the fins and engines from mine for other projects, I had to figure something out. I started by making new fins from plastic card and adding a gondola made from a sub conning tower. Then I fashioned new engine nacelles from small bombs and scraps from my spares box.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_prog_03.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_prog_02.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_prog_04.jpg)
Next I had to get some painting done...
Brian da Basher
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First I applied a primer coat of white artist's gesso. After I decided to use the decals from the Revell Zeppelin NT kit, I thought a bottle of new duck-egg blue would be a good choice.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_paint_01.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_paint_02.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_paint_03.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_paint_04.jpg)
While it took four coats of duck-egg blue, I like the way it looks with the dark blue livery.
Brian da Basher
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Here's the last of what remains of the D-LZFN, some old color photos taken during the famous North Atlantic crossing in 1939.
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_05.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_06.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_07.jpg)
(http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g392/Bri2k/D-LZFN%20airship/D-LZFN_08.jpg)
Brian da Basher
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We dont see enough airships here, nice work
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Love it. :)
Great work Brian.
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Very nice work mate - I do like your airships!
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Very impressive and a good demonstration on re-purposing plastic cards for model building.
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All four of the above + cute + cool..... 8)
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Outstanding!
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Way Cool Bashman! :)
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Great job on the old "venerable" Glencoe gasbag! I saw the seams on mine and blanched.
If you stand your Zeppelin on its tail, it looks like a rocketship from a 1930's serial!
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Very impressive and a good demonstration on re-purposing plastic cards for model building.
Yes, it turns out that credit cards really can be useful. Great stuff Brian! :)
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That's what I see when I look at it upside-down!!
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Belated congratulations!