Military, Naval and Civil Airships Since 1783

Exploring the history and development of the dirigible airship from its humble beginnings in the late eighteenth century, through to its current role as military command posts among other uses, this book is a comprehensive account of the dirigible airship. Starting out as an unreliable experimental aircraft as aeronauts first began to learn the secrets of aerial navigation, the airship was then remodelled in 1900 by Count Zeppelin to become a potent weapon of war then transformed again into a short-lived solution to long-distance passenger air travel. With over 100 technical drawings and contemporary images of dirigible aircraft, Ridley-Kitts here presents a comprehensive and fascinating history of the airship - a must read for those that wish the delve into the development of the aircraft for the first time and for airship specialists alike. DANIEL GEORGE RIDLEY-KITTS MBE worked in the aviation industry and later served in the RAF as a national serviceman in a fighter squadron in Germany. In 1994, Ridley-Kitts was awarded an MBE for the New Year's honour list.