Blimp

A blimp (/blɪmp/), or non-rigid airship, is an airship (dirigible)^[1] without an internal structural framework or a keel. Unlike semi-rigid and rigid airships (e.g. Zeppelins), blimps rely on the pressure of the lifting gas (usually helium, rather than hydrogen) inside the envelope and the strength of the envelope itself to maintain their shape. Blimps are known for their use in advertising, surveillance, and as observation platforms due to their maneuverability and steady flight capabilities.^[2]

For other uses, see Blimp (disambiguation).

and TC-7, two US Army Corps non-rigid blimps used for parasite fighter trials during 1923–24

TC-3

British Army airship Beta

C* class airship UK coastal blimps used in WW I

Coastal class airship

SSP, SST, SSZ and NS class airships, convoy escort blimps used by the UK in World War I

SS

and L class blimp, US training blimps built by Goodyear during World War II

G class blimp

and M class blimp, US anti-submarine blimps operated during World War II

K class blimp

an Australian blimp, in use during the mid-1970s

Mantainer Ardath

(the "Nan ship"), used for anti-submarine and as a radar early-warning platform during the 1950s

N class blimp

a fleet of blimps operated for advertising purposes and as a television camera platform

Goodyear Blimps

a private blimp used by advertising companies

Skyship 600

an experimental aerostatic/aerodynamic hybrid airship developed by Lockheed-Martin corporation

P-791

an airship manufactured by the Shanghai Vantage Airship Manufacture Co in China

SVAM CA-80

airship for aerial advertising manufactured and used by WDL Group, Germany

WDL 2

Willows airships

Manufacturers in many countries have built blimps in many designs.^[17] Some examples include:

Airship hangar

List of current airships in the United States

Mooring mast

Solar aircraft

a type of blimp using hot air for lift

Thermal airship

detailed article on antisubmarine blimps during World War II

Popular Mechanics, June 1943, "Gas Bags Go On Patrol"

first air-to-sea rescue without aircraft landing first