This was fantastic, really enjoyed it! My father trained at Lakehurst. He told me that for the free balloon flights they had two instruments: a compass and a roll of toilet paper. After I got done laughing he explained the toilet paper: tear off a sheet and throw it out of the basket. If the sheet went up it meant you were descending; if it went down you were ascending. I'll never forget that story!
Growing up at the Jersey Shore, I saw lots of these patrolling the coast line. It was an awesome sight to see them go by just beyond the breakers when we were at the beach. I remember the distinctive sound of the engines. They even had one painted with dazzle paint.
After I retired from the Navy as an Aircrewman, I worked for a contractor for 3 1/2 years in Hangar 1. Whole lot of history in that old building. But not the first airship hangar I ever worked in, because I had 2 tours of duty in squadrons at NAS Moffett Field, CA, in one of the three airship hangars there. P.S. Thanks, PRs! Never needed to use my parachute, but I was confident that if I had to and it didn't work, I could bring it back and you'd give me another one!
My father was an LTA pilot. I remember him talking about one of the blimp hangers that had "orange peel" doors, but I can't recall if that was at Lakehurst, Moffett, or Glynco, but from the pictures I don't think it was Lakehurst. If you have any idea about that I'd appreciate hearing from you. He did take me out one night to watch them close the hanger doors, which must have been at either Lakehurst or Glynco. All I can remember is that it took a long time.
@@WilliamParmley Hangar One at Moffett Field had the “orange peel” or “clam shell” doors.. Hgr 1 was an all steel hangar, whereas Hangars 2 and 3 were built during the war, so they were wood. Lots and lots of wood! They had the straight doors like Hangar 1 at Lakehurst.
@@jimtownsend7899 Wow, thanks for the info! It's great to finally fill in the gap in my knowledge. I know my father was at Moffett but I don't know if my mother and I were with him or not, I would have been too young to remember. I definitely recall living in Toms River, NJ and St. Simons Island, GA. Thanks so much!
I went to weather observer school there 10/73-12/73. Fond memories. My class commander was a Viet vet warrant turned AG2 who flew helos in combat while we were still in the Nam.
I was there for AG-A school from April to July, 1974. I believe I had that same instructor. His last name started with V. For that matter, so did his first name. He was a first class by then, and a truly memorable character! I went to Rota, Spain, then finished my enlistment on the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67.
My father flew ZPG-3s out of Lakehurst in the NADA unit. He is one of a very few pilots to be aircraft carrier certified in LTA and HTA . He (they) set two world records in the "Snowbird" for time aloft and distance without refueling in 1957. Both records remain unbroken to this day
I have a cousin who used to fly in air ships out of Lakehurst. He said he knew the days of airship ASW were numbered when all the subs had to do was surface and then outran the airship.
I went through PR "A" school there in 78/79. Did my first jump there too. My room in Casey Hall overlooked hanger 1. On a clear night when everything is right, you can still smell the smoke and faintly hear the alarm bells. Stood watch in hanger 1 once, eerie doesn't begin to describe it. Swear I saw someone in the upper catwalks, next day was told about the Ens. that committed suicide up there.
I was stationed there in 1973 parachute rigging School. Smoked a lot of pot did a lot of LSD and the beer dispensing machines in the barracks were always empty, No problem though the liquor store was 25 feet away. I only enlisted because I didn't want to get drafted. The Navy was a cool place to party in.
This was fantastic, really enjoyed it! My father trained at Lakehurst. He told me that for the free balloon flights they had two instruments: a compass and a roll of toilet paper. After I got done laughing he explained the toilet paper: tear off a sheet and throw it out of the basket. If the sheet went up it meant you were descending; if it went down you were ascending. I'll never forget that story!
Love that ZMC-2 setting the pace at 4:19
Growing up at the Jersey Shore, I saw lots of these patrolling the coast line. It was an awesome sight to see them go by just beyond the breakers when we were at the beach. I remember the distinctive sound of the engines. They even had one painted with dazzle paint.
After I retired from the Navy as an Aircrewman, I worked for a contractor for 3 1/2 years in Hangar 1. Whole lot of history in that old building. But not the first airship hangar I ever worked in, because I had 2 tours of duty in squadrons at NAS Moffett Field, CA, in one of the three airship hangars there.
P.S. Thanks, PRs! Never needed to use my parachute, but I was confident that if I had to and it didn't work, I could bring it back and you'd give me another one!
My father was an LTA pilot. I remember him talking about one of the blimp hangers that had "orange peel" doors, but I can't recall if that was at Lakehurst, Moffett, or Glynco, but from the pictures I don't think it was Lakehurst. If you have any idea about that I'd appreciate hearing from you. He did take me out one night to watch them close the hanger doors, which must have been at either Lakehurst or Glynco. All I can remember is that it took a long time.
@@WilliamParmley Hangar One at Moffett Field had the “orange peel” or “clam shell” doors.. Hgr 1 was an all steel hangar, whereas Hangars 2 and 3 were built during the war, so they were wood. Lots and lots of wood! They had the straight doors like Hangar 1 at Lakehurst.
@@jimtownsend7899 Wow, thanks for the info! It's great to finally fill in the gap in my knowledge. I know my father was at Moffett but I don't know if my mother and I were with him or not, I would have been too young to remember. I definitely recall living in Toms River, NJ and St. Simons Island, GA. Thanks so much!
Thank you.
I went to weather observer school there 10/73-12/73. Fond memories. My class commander was a Viet vet warrant turned AG2 who flew helos in combat while we were still in the Nam.
I was there for AG-A school from April to July, 1974. I believe I had that same instructor. His last name started with V. For that matter, so did his first name. He was a first class by then, and a truly memorable character! I went to Rota, Spain, then finished my enlistment on the USS John F. Kennedy CV-67.
This is awesome. I really appreciate the historical significance of this piece. Since my grandfather served there, it's especially interesting to me!
I remember the dirigibles flying over when I was kid in NJ. They looked so huge.
My father flew ZPG-3s out of Lakehurst in the NADA unit. He is one of a very few pilots to be aircraft carrier certified in LTA and HTA . He (they) set two world records in the "Snowbird" for time aloft and distance without refueling in 1957. Both records remain unbroken to this day
I have a cousin who used to fly in air ships out of Lakehurst. He said he knew the days of airship ASW were numbered when all the subs had to do was surface and then outran the airship.
I went through PR "A" school there in 78/79. Did my first jump there too.
My room in Casey Hall overlooked hanger 1. On a clear night when everything is right, you can still smell the smoke and faintly hear the alarm bells.
Stood watch in hanger 1 once, eerie doesn't begin to describe it. Swear I saw someone in the upper catwalks, next day was told about the Ens. that committed suicide up there.
David Malcolm Loyd son of Roland and Bessie Loyd of Vega, TX
Attending school in this building was a privledge.
Drive by lakehurst blimphangers once a week
I was stationed there in 1973 parachute rigging School. Smoked a lot of pot did a lot of LSD and the beer dispensing machines in the barracks were always empty, No problem though the liquor store was 25 feet away. I only enlisted because I didn't want to get drafted. The Navy was a cool place to party in.