A rigid airship being constructed. In rigid airships, the gas was contained in separate bags inside a rigid frame that gave the aircraft its shape. Rigid airships are much larger than pressure airships and can carry many more passengers and heavier freight. The hydrogen gas that lifted rigid airships was housed in large bags inside an aluminum framework.

ID#:

NASM-2000-1382

Credit:

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM 2000-1382)

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National Air and Space Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution

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Smithsonian Institution

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