Zeppelin !

[the tinker]

YES! Finally got more photos of the Schwinn- Hudson Zep! These were taken of the Zeppelin at its Gary, Indiana mooring yard. Just look at the heavy supporting chains straining the massive beam holding huge the Zeppelin aloft!

These photos were taken in the summer 1933, at the height of the Zeppelin era. Notice there appears to be a family standing on the flying bridge. Do any CABE members recognize any of these people. Could they be members of the Schwinn or Hudson family? Or, just lucky passengers from Gary?

The gentleman on the upper far left seems to be smoking a cigar.....That would seem highly dangerous! Also, notice the lady that is seen waving. She brought her small dog aboard! The man holding the luggage seems to be a crew member. Possibly a porter. If anyone can shed some light on the identities of these folks, please chime in! Here's a close-up of them. Perhaps they are members of the Hudson family?

We can see the Schwinn influence in the construction of the huge airship. Notice the massive reduction gear.....To Schwinn enthusiasts of the era, the resemblence to a "sweetheart" chainring is clearly visible.

And look at this crew member with the oilcan.... He had a full-time job, that's for sure! I bet that massive drive chain takes lots of oil ! And, did anyone notice the Schwinn"Quality seal" on the tail fin?

Lots of pride went into the construction of this jugernaught of the sky! Notice the "Hudson" motorcar logo proudly emblazoned across the front of the bridge....

Can't miss those massive black Hudson induction engines, hanging solidly on each side!

How about those two gondolas ...... there seems to be a security detail aboard of some sort..... also two members can be seen on the starboard tail fin.... Seemed to be armed.....Can't be too careful, that's what I always say...

Their uniforms seem to look familiar.....can any CABE members identify them?

So.... from the snappy looking nosecone to the tail, this was one awesome airship!

Sadly, today it rests on the cold bottom of Lake Michigan, in a crumpled heap of memories to a bygone day......

Sleep well, Grey Lady!

 

[catfish]

Beautiful !!!

 

[byke!punk]

An impressive feat of engineering. It’s a good thing OSHA wasn’t around back then! The gentleman bottom left is Royal Tenenbaum. I recognize that double breasted suit anywhere.

 

[Andrew Gorman]

The Gary Conservatory of Music provided a full orchestra for the demonstration flight around Lake Michigan, and some accounts speculate that may have contributed to the Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly due to harmonic effects. The sight of the mighty dirigible DID inspire R. Buckminster Fuller to plan the delivery of prefabricated dwellings by Zeppelin:
"Fuller proposed the creation of Lightful Towers, pagoda-like structures consisting of platter-like floors suspended from a central support mast. These would be manufactured with industrial efficiency on an assembly line, like an automobile or an airplane. Zeppelins would float them anywhere in the world, drop massive bombs to carve out their foundations, and then lower them into a crater along with a load of quick-drying cement."
Drama is important!

 

[Frank & Pam (SKIDKINGS)]

First of all that is super cool ! Another interesting note is the use of cross slot screws whose patent was purchased by Henry Phillips in 1935 and refined but not generally used until 1936 by General Motors. Those screws were probably updated around that time by the Schwinn R&D department who as we know were always improving their products and always first in the field with latest technology advancements. Amazing.

 

[AS-1]

One of the things I have always loved about the number 88 was that no matter what you did to it, you know, turned it upside down or backwards or upside down and backwards, it always said 88.

 

[AS-1]

The sight of the mighty dirigible DID inspire R. Buckminster Fuller to plan the delivery of prefabricated dwellings by Zeppelin:

Bucky

 

[the tinker]

If anyone is thinking about building one of these , they would look great hanging in your shop. Other than a metallic tape covering a wood 2"x 2", running the length through the center for support, the Zeppelin is constructed of 100% metal. I've built several of these and my rule in building them is, no items of plastic can be used in construction. I try to use the original hardware and antique slotted screws as much as possible. When completed, this one was heavy. This Zep took all the girders from 3 large Erector sets to build. Chrome came off a '57 Chevy, 58 Oldsmobile, and a Hudson. Old Marx R/R cars, crane and "people" were also used. This one I decided to make it a "built by Schwinn" model. Yes, that's a Schwinn dogleg crank, sweetheart chainring, skiptooth chain and a New Departure hub. I had two Schwinn decals on the tail fin. One lifted off and I can't find it. I have seen these big Zep models hung outside and allowed to rust. They patina great. This one is 6' 7"' long. Thanks for looking at the "Schwinn Zep."