The usefulness of airships and blimps really needs to be rediscovered. Sad to say, the inter-war flying behemoths were plagued by bad press and catastrophic accidents that doomed them to obsolescence. Several generations since, the only remaining impression of airships likely stems from a scene in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. How unfortunate.
Jack Clemens begs to differ. After years of toil, Clemens has finally unveiled his years-long DIY project to huge acclaim. He might not have become a TV star overnight, but his inspiring tale is going the rounds across the interwebs.
A retired computer engineer, Clemens’ all-consuming passion for building a scale model of a legendary airship stemmed from constantly passing by the hangar of the USS Macon. The USS Macon (pictured above) was in service before World War 2 and was unfortunately destroyed in a freak weather incident.
The Legacy of the USS Macon
The USS Macon was one of the largest airships ever built, serving as a flying aircraft carrier for the United States Navy. It was designed to carry and launch small biplane fighters, which could be deployed for reconnaissance missions. The airship’s innovative design and capabilities made it a marvel of its time. However, its tragic end came in 1935 when it encountered a severe storm off the coast of California, leading to its untimely demise. The loss of the USS Macon marked the end of an era for rigid airships in military service.
In a years-long odyssey that was part tribute and part challenge, Jack Clemens assembled the exquisitely detailed model for several years. After huge setbacks—his cat jumped on the hull, destroying it—and iron-hard persistence, Clemens has achieved his lofty goal. In his garage right now sits a remote-controlled 20-foot replica of the USS Macon.
The Modern Potential of Airships
While airships like the USS Macon are often seen as relics of the past, there is a growing interest in their potential for modern applications. Airships offer several advantages over traditional aircraft, including lower fuel consumption, the ability to hover in place, and the capacity to carry heavy loads. These characteristics make them ideal for tasks such as aerial surveillance, cargo transport, and even tourism. Companies like Hybrid Air Vehicles and Lockheed Martin are actively developing new airship designs that could revolutionize the way we think about air travel and logistics.
Clemens says he might donate it to a museum someday. His dedication to preserving the memory of the USS Macon serves as a reminder of the innovative spirit that drove the development of airships in the early 20th century. As we look to the future, it’s worth considering how these majestic flying machines could once again take to the skies, offering sustainable and versatile solutions for a variety of modern challenges.
Source Popular Science
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