The ocean liner outlasts the supersonic passenger plane.

[ 06-26-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

Concorde was a larger-than-life modernist dream, pity it didn't last. The only aeroplane with a bit of panache and glamour akin to a liner, or is this thought purely romantic ?

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Originally posted by Johan:
yes,
but we shouldn't gloat,
they find both their master in the jumbo jet aeroplane.

Concorde was a larger-than-life modernist dream, pity it didn't last. The only aeroplane with a bit of panache and glamour akin to a liner, or is this thought purely romantic ?

J

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Originally posted by Johan:
Concorde had "style".

I don't know if I agree with you about the Zeppelins, as liners of the air.

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No? With dining rooms, lounges, writing rooms, smoking rooms and bars, cabins and promenades, they were very much like "ocean liners of the air", crossing the Atlantic in three days rather than five or six. The bridge was located in the gondola, with the passenger spaces built up into the hull.

[ 06-26-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

[ 06-26-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

As with the R101, the main design considerations for the contract for the R100 was to be able to carry 100 passenger for a number of nights accommodation in comfort. This of course had to include sleeping accommodation and public spaces on the ship.

The R100 team came up with the idea to have a three deck approach whereby the passengers could enjoy a two deck area with the crew on the third or bottom deck. This would also bring the feeling of space and height. In the main brochures describing the R100 issued at the time, it was seen that the accommodation was "intermediate in comfort between a Pullman coach and ocean liner." It was described as being inside a "small hotel"

The Main Lounge & Grand Staircase

The Main lounge. The main lounge was on the inside of the airship. The idea being that this double height deck would give a feeling of space. The lounge was also to double up as the main dining area of the ship.

A double entrance staircase lead down from the galleries where the some of the sleeping accommodation was arranged. The staircase lead down on to the main floor, then down again to the crews quarters and the lower deck.

The seating arrangements were of small tables of four, but these also could be put together to form long dinning tables as was the current fashion. Various rugs were placed on the floor to again give the feeling of a club atmosphere.

The entrance to the promenade areas were on either side of the main lounge.

The Promenade Decks

The promenade decks were wider in design than the R101 and were again of double deck construction to ensure that enough light would enter in to the ship. Seen here are passengers enjoying tea on the promenade decks. Notice the "portholes" which were the passenger cabin windows. Also notice the side entrance to the left the dining room. The upper gallery as seen, was also a place to enjoy the view and also provided entrance to further passenger cabins.

The promenade decks were on both sides of the lounge, as with the R101. As they were wider, it was viewed that they could be seen as more of a "lounge" area.

The window configuration can be seen in this photo with two sets of windows fitted into a curved recess.

The Passenger Cabins

A very rare shot of a two berth passenger cabin. The sleeping arrangements were in the form of bunks. Even though they may seem spartan by today's standards, they were fitted out with a "porthole" light, chair and space for luggage. This would continue with the "nautical" influence.

Some 50 cabins were constructed in formations of singe, two and four berth arrangements.

Toilets and washroom facilities were available close by

[ 06-26-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

I would love to see giant passenger carrying airships return, even if 'Carnival' or 'Virgin' built them!

Mind Blowing fact: the great Airships had 'Smoking Rooms' too!

[ 06-26-2004: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Mind Blowing fact: the great Airships had 'Smoking Rooms' too!

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Yes! One of the pictures I posted in the HINDENBURG set is of the bar/smoking room (fourth photo down).

[ 06-26-2004: Message edited by: CGT ]

My dad tolled my storys whene they flay over Rotterdam. The wholle sity turned outside and standing on the city's rooftops. Waving and sheering. He told me that the where so big that his street where he lifed was in the shade fore minutes whene Hindenburg flay over.

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Originally posted by seatrial:
If I'm not mistaken the Hindenburg was designed to use helium rather than hydrogen. The US would not provide the helium needed so the German's used hydrogen. The smoking room would not have been a problem with helium, but once hydrogen was installed one who have thought they would have stopped the smoking.

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She was a flaying bomb. Not only running on the highly flameble hydrogen. Buth her canvas skin was paintened with a special paint. This paint was make off very flameble chemicals it became almost rocket fuel. So whene she exploded she have everting against here. Inn only a view seconds she was a burning hell.

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Originally posted by CGT:
The smoking room had nothing to do with why the HINDENBURG exploded. The smoking room was this airlocked room that you had to pass through double doors and an intermediate chamber to enter. Also, the lighters were electric and were attatched to the wall, you could not bring or use your own.

The HINDENBURG was intened to use non flammable helium gas, but the U.S. at the time held a monopoly on helium and would not give it to the Germans, fearing they would use it for wartime/military purposes. Massdam is correct in that the skin was painted with a a highly flammable paint. The fire started at the rear of the air ship and had to do with electricity and grounding with the mooring lines and the paint on the skin. A scientist in the U.S. finally figured out what happened and there was a documentary named "Secrets of the Dead: Hindenburg" that detailed the explanation. It has aired more than once here in the U.S. on PBS.

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CGT that same documantairy showed on discovery also a couple off times..

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Originally posted by Johan:
Concorde had "style".

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Originally posted by Globaliser:
I've seen pictures.

If any airline ever installs them, I'm buying the champagne.

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No airline will ever do it. Those A380's will be jam packed with seats.

However, wouldn't it be great if Branson/Virgin built another rigid airship a la the HINDENBURG (filled with non flammable helium of course)? A true "ocean liner of the air" could take you on air cruises around the world or Atlantic crossings in half the time. Since the Zepplins only flew at about 1,000 feet average, scenery not able to really be seen from airplanes was clearly visible.

Imagine, sail one way on QM2, and travel aboard Virgin's rigid airship on the return. I'd rather that than Concorde or even British Airways First.

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Originally posted by sslewis:
Oceanliner style in the air days may soon be back thanks to the Airbus A380.
Anybody seen the interiors mock ups?

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Louy, here are some pictures of the Airbus A380 interiors, pretty “cool” if you asked me! I like the organic flow of the furniture which give the whole interior space a unifying overall look. The overall look is modern and should be fitting for a 21st century ocean liner as well.

Onno

I am not familiar with the R100. Was is actually in service for a period of time?

As for the German airships, there was a benefit to hydrogen - it is lighter than helium and therefore has greater lifting capability.

Since the Germans did use zeppelins for a few bombing runs in WWI, I can see why the US government was cautious on the eve of WWII.

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Originally posted by PamM:
That top photo doesn't look unlike the original 747s where there was a lounge upstairs in 1st class for socialising. Nowadays I don't see any of it workable, you have to be tied to your seat incase of 'unexpected turbulance'... seat belts in a spa? what about the water? [too heavy anyway], tied to a treadmill? weights?
Pam

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