Upship - documentary on the Goodyear Blimp

Well, I've been working on this for the last 18 months, and I'm finally nearing the finish line. It's a documentary on the final blimps to be retired from the Goodyear fleet. For over 90 years, Goodyear designed, engineered, built, and operated their own airships.

Now, for the first time, they're going with a German designed/engineered Zeppelin NT.

Will probably enter into film festival circuit, with an eventual Blu-Ray and 4K UHD Blu-Ray release by summer. Thought I'd share with fellow Fchatters

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw-qSQ9tyJY&feature=youtu.be

 

Well done, sir!!!!

Finishing a film is a monstrous achievement! Congratulations!!!!

I hope for many an award and lots of money coming in!!!!!

 

LOL - this was 1000x harder than I expected. Just finishing it is tough enough...! Thanks.

 

Way cool.. be sure to post up eventual links to purchase and view!

 

Congrats!

Always very interested in those blimps...

I enjoyed watching them fly around from the hills. I wanted to jump aboard one...

I was fortunate enough to fly one of Concorde's final flight tribute to IAD.

We just seem to be digressing in aviation

 

Totally agree.

I missed the opportunity for Concorde. Couldn't get any of the $1,000 final tickets. A very generous friend offered to pay for us to fly at full price, but I couldn't swallow my pride to accept such a gift. He rubs my nose in it occasionally.

The new Zeppelin, it's quirky. Flys faster, more passengers, quieter, has a bathroom - but it's very quirky to fly. It's like an aircraft+helicopter+blimp all rolled into one. I'll miss the GZ20s (last one in existence is in Carson, California - will be gone by 2nd quarter 2017).

 

Are they giving flights? I'd love to check it out...

I'd like to say you didn't miss anything, but you know I'd be lying. Concorde was a legend and the experience of being 60k feet up is humbling. I remember the sky color and curvature more than any mild sensation of going supersonic...Don't get me wrong supersonic flight doesn't suck.

When does the new fleet start flying?

 

Great to hear of your project completion. It would be great to get some guys together for a viewing.

 

Very Cool! I look forward to seeing this! Back in 1999, I had the opportunity to not only fly in one, but pilot it as well from the Alameda water line out and around Treasure Island in the SF Bay Area. Such an amazing experince, that I truly will never forget.

1-Walking away after the flight
2-Left seat!
3-Very good friend being the first to sit in the left seat of our group. I was last..and hence got the longest flight
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Oh I know what I missed - kills me.

As for the Blimp, the flights are traditionally invite only (customers of Goodyear, or winners of charity auctions).

New fleet started flying couple years back, at least the first NT, second one was christened in October. That ship will make its way out to California in June of next year. Third and final NT by end of 2017. By March of 2017, the last GZ20 (traditional blimp) will be no more.

I'm game - need to find a place with a big enough screen (and if it's a 4K screen, I'll screen the 4K version). Maybe an early February screening?

Yep - it's fun to fly, like piloting a big boat over waves. I've spent more time inside than most except the pilots. Longest flight was about 9 1/2 hours.

 

Back in the late '60s/early '70s, I lived in Miami Beach, when the Goodyear blimp Mayflower was still based on Watson Island near downtown Miami. During the winter, when the blimp had few work opportunities out of town, it was common to see it cruising lazily up and down the beach, and at night you could spot where it was by the light display. It was definitely a part of Miami Beach living in those days!

 

I recently gave a talk at my old work place but to newer people. I mentioned that I saw the Hindenburg come cruising over our neighborhood one day in '36 and what a response I got! " You saw the Hindenburg!" For me, it was just another one of the things that happened when I was a kid but to them it was a great historic event. Time sure changes perspective .

 

somewhere I have a 6-8' blueprint ,from the ''goodyear-zepplin'' airship company,of the structures of the ships

 

This teaser is really nice: this is going to be a sweet film!!

 

Thank you!

 

I still have this hidden away somewhere at the parent's house... A large part of my childhood. Was always amazed at the size of the things vs their noise and elegance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLFGq5ApVz8

 

I was recently into a box of old photos. These were taken from my place of employment. The company yard was next to the airport used as their base when in the area for events.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That's great. I play golf at the Pompano Golf course all the time and always saw the blimp taking off and landing next door. It was quite a sight.

 

Nice.

Carl - I think we're ready for a Stooge screening. I finished final edit last week. Release next month.

 

I'm ready!

 

I remember the one (Columbia?) stationed in Spring, TX (Houston) on Cypresswood near I-45 in the early 1990s. Used to take the kids to see it come and go.

 

BTW - title change and here's the packaging
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

One of my clients got the opportunity to fly in one during the 90's. She still remembers it today and was a highlight of her life.

 

FYI, Goodyear is having its final public tour on Sunday, March 5 at the Carson, California airship base. I'll also be previewing (maybe selling early!) the documentary.

Come say hi, see the blimp.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Somewhere in the recesses of my cranium, which is getting emptier and emptier , I remember that the name for the non-ridged airship came when a British officer was recording some operations of them and referred to it as "Airship type B-limp."