British Airships 1905–30

by Castle, Ian; Bryan, Tony

• ISBN13: 9781846033872
• ISBN10: 184603387X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-05-19
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

At a time when German U-Boats were ruthlessly attacking the maritime convoys engaged in bringing essential supplies to British shores, British airships played a vital role in neutralizing this danger and were crucial in enabling Britain to eventually emerge victorious. In 1907 the British Army built the military's first airship, and at the outbreak of World War I there were a total of seven airships under control of the Admiralty, hunting U-Boats from the skies. This book reveals the fascinating story of the cat and mouse duel between the airship and another pioneering form of technology - the submarine. Detailed cut-away drawings reveal the design and development of the airship, during and after the war, whilst full-color illustrations depict the airship in dramatic action shots. A tragic accident in 1930 brought the airship's military service to an end, resulting in a tiny window in which they were used and little acknowledgement over the years. Ian Knight gives deserved attention to an aeronautical wonder that for a short amount of time played a crucial service to the defense of Britain.

Author Biography

Ian Knight is a leading international expert on the Anglo-Zulu War. He has written, co-written or edited over 30 books, including several in the Osprey Men-at-Arms, Elite, Warrior and Campaign series. He studied Afro-Caribbean Studies at Kent University, and is an Honorary Research Associate of the Natal Museum and Vice President of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society. He has also contributed to a number of television documentaries on the war. Ian has also always been interested in the use of airships during World War I and has recently published London 1914-17 in Osprey's Campaign series which detailed the German Zepplin bombing raids.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 4
Airship Types	p. 5
Army Airship Organisation	p. 5
The Army Airships	p. 6
Early Navy Airships	p. 12
Early War Service	p. 15
Naval Airships 1914-18	p. 16
Semi-Rigid (SR) Airships	p. 25
Rigid Airships	p. 26
British Airships at War	p. 38
Summary	p. 44
Select Bibliography	p. 47
Index	p. 48
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