Goodyear to trade up to zeppelins
"The Akron, Ohio, company said it would work with German manufacturer ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik to build three airships costing about $21 million each. Beginning in 2014, Goodyear will begin to swap out the three blimps, now based in Akron, Pompano Beach, Fla., and Carson [CA]."
"The company got into the blimp business in 1910. During World War II, the U.S. Navy maintained a fleet of more than 150 blimps built by Goodyear, and many were used to patrol the California coast. Some were even outfitted with .50-caliber machine guns.
"The region's blimp heritage still is visible at the two hangars at the defunct Tustin Marine Corps Air Station [which can be seen from passing Pacific Surfliners, west of the rail line]. The hangars are currently used to perform maintenance on the Goodyear blimp."
"The Akron, Ohio, company said it would work with German manufacturer ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik to build three airships costing about $21 million each. Beginning in 2014, Goodyear will begin to swap out the three blimps, now based in Akron, Pompano Beach, Fla., and Carson [CA]."
"The company got into the blimp business in 1910. During World War II, the U.S. Navy maintained a fleet of more than 150 blimps built by Goodyear, and many were used to patrol the California coast. Some were even outfitted with .50-caliber machine guns.
"The region's blimp heritage still is visible at the two hangars at the defunct Tustin Marine Corps Air Station [which can be seen from passing Pacific Surfliners, west of the rail line]. The hangars are currently used to perform maintenance on the Goodyear blimp."