A bit Off Topic, HO scale Goodyear Blimp?

[CNJ774]

Howdy; Besides collecting HO trains, I have also been collecting HO / 1:87 aircraft. This is a bit off topic, but has anyone ever seen or made an HO scale model of a Goodyear Blimp? Does anyone have any scale drawings? As part of my new layout, I plan to install a small airfield for a Blimp and a couple of helicopters. Sort of a scaled down Lakehurst NJ on the old CNJ. Also gives me a reason to redetail and use a few of those old AHM ho helium cars I have stashed away. Hope everyone is well - David Notarius, London UK (ex New Hope PA)

[Sumpter250]

Try here <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.goodyearblimp.com/cfmx/web/blimp/basics/anatomy.cfm">http://www.goodyearblimp.com/cfmx/web/b ... natomy.cfm</a><!-- m --> for information. In history/FAQ, click on FAQ , then, in Blimp Construction, the last topic is "what are the Blimp's dimensions". That should be a good start.
Your model should end up about 26" long and about 7-1/2" diameter, in HO.

[Tyson Rayles]

Years ago I bought a blimp kit that was close to N scale I guess as it was about 14-16 inches long. It had a motorizied drum inside that you could put messages on and there was a light inside the drum to light the message. If you hung it from the ceiling over the layout the smaller size would give a nice sense of distance. Sorry but I don't remember who made it but I think I got it thru a friend who worked at a Goodyear dealership.
You might also check under military models as blimps were used by the Germans and others in WWI and WWII. They aren't the same kind but probably could be modified.

[rrinker]

I had one of those, I think it was the same thing. It was made by Revell. I'd say it was closer to HO scale then N scale, based onthe size of the control cabin. There were like 3 light bulbs and the motorized drum inside. There were a few premade messages plus a few blanks you could color in yourself with colored pencils to make your own messages. All from little dots to simulate the lights they used on the real thing back then.

--Randy

[NYWB]

CNJ774, there are a number of these Revell model kits currently available on eBay, if you are interested. The model appears to have been in production from 1975 to 1983 and the blimp model itself is 13.5" in length, a little small as compared to the real thing (some 190'), but still of quite suitable size for use on an HO layout, especially if it's in the background.

Incidentally, I've seen one fellow on another forum who had an HO railroad diorama or small layout that depicts Lakehurst Field during WWII. It's impressive.

Be sure to post your efforts.

NYW&B

[CNJ774]

Hi Guys;
I have found an 1:72 scale US Navy blimp that can be converted to HO scale with a little kit-bashing of the control gondola, (aircraft name for control car on airships - blimps - zeppelins, etc...) made by Combat Models in Pa. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.combatmodels.us">http://www.combatmodels.us</a><!-- m -->
I plan to use the envelope, nose and tail surfaces as is but kit-bash the gondola into something closer to HO. My lay out is going to be based on lines in North Jersey so I am not building Lakehurst (if only I had the space). I am going to include a smaller air station or diversionary / training field for blimps. The reason why on my lay-out? I remember seeing some of the last active blimps when was less than knee high growing up in Irvington NJ, just before the Navy decommission the lighter than air program. Also give me a reason why I'd kept all those AHM helium cars over the years
I'll let you know when the kit gets here!
Have fun - Dave Notarius, London UK, ex New Hope Pa

[Sumpter250]

Sounds like a great plan to me. Most people have no idea what the relative size of a Blimp is, compared to trains, buildings, or other visual clues. They do have some idea of the relative size of people, and most anything designed to be operated by people, so the gondola would have to be scaled accordingly.
I'll be waiting to see pictures.

[CNJ774]

This is a bit more info on the L class blimp that is modeled by Combat Models <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://combatmodels.us/">http://combatmodels.us/</a><!-- m -->. Since I will only be scaleing the down the gondola ho, the envelope will be just a bit bit biger than 1/87.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L_class_blimp">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L_class_blimp</a><!-- m -->

Besides my interest in blimps, I hope to use a number of USATC (US Army Transportation Corps) rolling stock that I have in HO as part of the bases railroad, and interchange cars. So a question a bit back on topic, has anyone ever modelled an US airbase's railroad operations? Have fun everyone - David Notarius

[CNJ774]

Another useful blimp link:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/ZSG-2_SAC_-_1_January_1949.pdf">http://www.alternatewars.com/SAC/ZSG-2_ ... y_1949.pdf</a><!-- m -->

[shortliner]

Not quite what you asked for but this may be of interest, if you are thinking of modelling a blimp site

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/191342/2088919.aspx">http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/p/191342/2088919.aspx</a><!-- m -->


A bit small, but a place to start? <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mdp/mdp5411.htm">http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/mdp/mdp5411.htm</a><!-- m -->

[CNJ774]

Howdy Shortliner; Another fellow Texan! I lived in Houston for 13 years, before coming to London. I miss the 24 hour Mexican breakfast before chasing an 150 SP double stack and picking up my modelling magazines at the Bellaire Roundhouse. I really like your layout. I'm thinking along the lines of an exhibition portable 4x8ish HO layout with an U shaped track plan. Motive power will be an old HO Bachmann GE 44 ton diesel detailed as an US Navy unit. Currently I am collecting old AHM helium cars to be rebuilt into USN / NASA cars (found2, looking for 7 more). Aircraft will consist of one Walthers HO C47/ DC3 and one kit bashed HO blimp (still researching). The layout will mostly be runway & hanger based on a cross between what you’re doing and a scaled down Lakehurst NJ. I'll post the plan in the next few days. Hope all is well – David Notarius, London UK, (Ex New Hope Pa, ex Houston Texas, ex Port Arthur Tx, ex Platsa Greece {near Kalamata} and ex Livingston NJ)

PS; Here’s a link for a model closer to N, with proper mooring mast to boot. The Blimps envelope is about the right size for a Kit basehd L class blimp

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://x5model.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/1%3A200%20US%20NAVY%20K-type%20Airblimp">http://x5model.blogspot.co.uk/search/la ... 20Airblimp</a><!-- m -->

[shortliner]

[quote="CNJ774"]Howdy Shortliner; Another fellow Texan! I[/quote}
Sory - I think you have me mixed up with someone else - this "Texan" lives in Scotland UK (further north than Moscow, USSR - the current temperature here is 12C, about half what they are expecting at 24C - you wouldn't believe yesterday was mid-summers day! ), and the only time I have been in USA was 90 minutes each way in Washington Airport.DC. on route to and From Belize at 6 month intervals. - but nice to hear from you!
Shortliner (aka Jack) away up here in the Highlands