Moffett Hangar 1

Buildings in an open field, connected by bulbous tubes.

NACA was founded on this terrible day in 1915. They eventually built the bane of my peace, that annoying wind tunnel.

Oh, yeah, they later rebranded themselves as NASA.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not. -Dr. Seuss, author and illustrator (2 Mar 1904-1991)

❤️

On this day in 1935, my beloved noble USS Macon slowly sank into the sea off Pt. Sur. All but 2 of her crew survived. I never saw my beloved again.

I am so empty.

In response to the damage (on this day in 1935), Commander Wiley ordered fuel to be dropped, causing the airship to rapidly rise. The Macon's automatic valves released Helium at her 5000 ft ceiling, and she settled into the stormy surf off Pt. Sur. She is still there.

B&W photo of an airship seen from directly below. The engines and propellers are clearly seen.

Flying back to me on Feb. 12, 1935, the USS Macon ran into a storm over Point Sur in California's Big Sur. Wind shear tore off the upper tailfin because of an unrepaired ring girder. Rear gas cells were punctured.

Giant airship just outside of giant airship hangar. The hangar's orange-peel doors are wide open.

My beloved Macon left Moffett Field on Feb. 11, 1935, the airship's 54th and final flight. The next day, as the ship was returning from her successful mission, she encountered storm winds off Point Sur, south of Monterey.

I would never hold her again.

Aerial view of two airstrips, three beautiful elongated airship hangers, a golf course, and many small buildings.

On this day in 2014 The US General Services Administration announced that Google's Planetary Ventures would lease Moffett field.

If you sail in an airship you don't need to remove select countries.

Etching of a bewigged man with a cravat in an oval portrait. Below is lab equipment, including a flask. At the bottom is "The Hon[ble] Robert Boyle"

Robert Boyle was born on this day in 1627. His very important law was discovered years later, although I'm sure that he applied the principles as an infant. (It's just gas.)

Record album cover with a posterized black and white photo of a zeppelin in flames at a mooring mast. The words "LED ZEPPELIN" in red is at the upper left corner, "STEREO" is at the upper right, and the "ATLANTIC" with its logo is at the lower right.

On this day in '69: Led Zeppelin and Atlantic Records released “Led Zeppelin.” Is it metal, or is it a follower? I still have questions.

[Also, RIP Bobby. Fare thee well.]

Drawing of a spherical balloon, red on top, white banded in the middle, and green and white stripes below. A basket hangs below with 2 men in it.

On this day in 1785 French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard & United States scientist John Jeffries were the first to fly across the English Channel.

Black & white etching of a balding man, in a large-collated white shirt and black cloak

Pioneering balloonist Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier was born on this day in 1745.

Painting of a man in a maroon jacket, with his head resting on the back of his raised right hand, and his left hand has the pinkie outstretched onto an open book

Robert Boyle died on this day in 1691. Thank you for your contributions to my existence.

B&W aerial photo of new construction in a field adjacent to a well-established airship base with a majestic hangar.

The groundbreaking for NACA (later renamed NASA) happened on this day in 1939, with Russel Robinson supervising. While it was lovely to get an aerospace neighbor, I did not understand at the time that it would result in that loud, obnoxious wind tunnel.

Probably true for both prices in today's dollars.

Hangar and air base under construction in the middle of fields

On this day in 1930, it was announced that 1000 acres of the Ynigo Ranch in Mtn. View, CA would become a naval airship airfield. It was called the Sunnyvale airfield because a mountain reference might not be prudent.

Communities bought 1000 acres of Ynigo Ranch for $476K, gave to Navy for $1.

But we've never met.

We are cousins.

www.worldwar1.com/sfzepp.htm

A B&W photo of an SS class blimp

The term "blimp" was coined on this day in 1915. It's an onomatopoeic word whose coinage can be traced to when Royal Naval Air Service Lt. A. D. Cunningham playfully flicked a finger against the envelope of SS 12 at the Capel air station, then mimicked the sound it made.

Landed red blimp that says Turkey on it.

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in the USA.

Drawing of a golden balloon with a circular basket below it flying over a river, with people in boats and chateaus waving at it.

On this day in 1793, Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes, a French military officer, made the first free ascent in a Montgolfier Brothers hot air balloon. The pair flew from the center of Paris to the suburbs, about 5.5 miles (9 km), in 25 minutes.

Show me on this burrito where the airship hurt you.

Wouldn't that be the best thing!?

We love her. Of course.

Soooo happy to have an airship in the nabe.

"Veterans Day - Honoring All Who Served" on a background of two sailors raising a USA flag

I salute veterans on this day (and every other one). At least as well as my orange peel doors allow me to salute.

Two dirigible hangars. The left one is mostly finished and the right one is under construction. Both have sliding shower curtain style doors.

On this day in 1942, construction started on my recently de-parted sibling Moffett Hangar 3, with a final cost $1,828,560.69.

And keep going through the collection, @cardingtonsheds.bsky.social because there are more and some of you.