The R101: "Britain's Hindenburg" | A Short Documentary | Fascinating Horror

[@FascinatingHorror]

For another airship crash that took place just a few years later (albeit for very different reasons) you might want to watch my video about the crash of the USS Akron in 1933: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYa2aXRtbdGCjs0

[@pierrebegley2746]

The irony is that the salvaged scrap of the R-101 was actually then sold to the company that ended up building the Hindenburg. That ship was cursed from the start.

[@LighthouseCape]

Thanks for mentioning it. Fascinating Horror's vid is usually satisfying but in this case, he missed the perfect opportunity to mention this even though he showed the Hindenburg disaster as the "final nail in the coffin" scene and I was itching for it.

[@reachandler3655]

I didn't know that, thanks.

[@Dulcimertunes]

🤭

[@kingofsinter8416]

And don’t forget to add that the salvaged scrap from the Hindenburg was sent back to Germany and used in making military equipment, Germany lost the war, could this cursed metal have played a small role?

[@ThePlayfulDreamer]

@@kingofsinter8416 We need to find out where that metal is now...

[@landoftom332]

The ceiling of the hotel I work at started leaking today and I literally had FH's voice in my head saying " What started as an inconspicuous drip would end up the precursor to something much, much worse... " I watch too many of these videos!

[@videojeff01]

Lol!

[@meganking938]

Well the last disasters had holes with the leak and severe damage. Not just drips.

[@twistoffate4791]

Funny, I hear his voice, too, narrating potential disasters I see coming, lol.

[@benmcreynolds8581]

You both should definitely voice your observations because its definitely a totally understandable concern. Its better than not saying anything.. even if a higher up employee might get annoyed, its worth saying.

[@jeffheyer7783]

You actually should report it. Because people always ask after the fact, why nobody spoke up. And at very least you might save your company from some mold or water damage etc.

[@kringe700]

This is probably the only few case in this channel that the big guy who's responsible for the impending disasters ultimately paid their price with life.

[@otdosa]

yup. what a tool.

[@azuman7]

Agreed. Also love your pic tentacultist/tako.

[@otdosa]

@@azuman7 well you will love my channel then.

[@reversalmushroom]

We need more of that. I'm sick of the people in charge getting away.

[@BlazeDuskdreamer]

This is terrible of me but I was so hoping the @$$hat didn't come out alive but went down with his 12 cases of chammpagne.

[@harveyholmes9533]

The asbestos coated smoking room on an airship is quite possibly the most old fashioned death trap that this channel has covered and old timey death traps are basically the MO here

[@sarafontanini7051]

and it didn;t even have any relevance to the crash!

[@laughingbeast4481]

Exactly my thoughts...definition of old fashioned.

[@the4tierbridge]

Except it wasn’t a death trap. In fact, it was very safe. The cancer from smoking would kill you before the asbestos or lighter.

[@echodelta9]

To bad they didn't have Kent cigarettes with the micronite filter (asbestos)! I'd love to have flown in the Graf Zeppelin. First around the world non stop. First inductee into the Mile High Club in a real bed, though they flew lower. Flawless safety record, scrapped after the Hindenburg.

[@the4tierbridge]

@@echodelta9 Scrapped 4 years later in 1940 to have it's duralumin frame be recycled into wartime supplies

[@nicholaslewis862]

I have to say, watching you consistently for a few months has trained me to detect bad omens. High pressure schedules, experimental innovations, extreme compromises to the initial vision of the project... If your videos were compulsory viewing for engineers and project managers everywhere, I think we as a species would be a few degrees safer.

[@AlexGreeneHypnotist]

And far more alive.

[@vanessacoulter4199]

I too am here to learn the lessons of the past

[@UnchainedMelodie92]

Very, very true! The biggest problem, though, are the people that pay to build these things and that only care about money so they cut back on essential things to save a few bucks. These people don't care about safely-- only about profit and getting the most for the smallest amount of money possible.

[@Sanakudou]

I honestly feel more prepared for a possible disaster thanks to this channel, there’s a lot of patterns with each tragedy I’ve started to recognise, both in identifying an unsafe environment as well as the little things people have done to be the sole survivors in these stories - the latter sometimes being as simple as listening to your gut if you think a vehicle or building isn’t safe. I definitely agree that all the engineers of the future would watch videos like this, there’s heaps of lessons that can be learnt from these tragedies.

[@daviddunsmore103]

@@UnchainedMelodie92 Ironically, it was the socialist R-101 that crashed, not the capitalist R-100.

[@ocko8011]

As some of the commenters below have pointed out. The Zeppelin Company who built the Hindenburg purchased some of the of the R101 scap which was then melted down and incorporated into the frame of the Hindenburg. Being that the cost of the light weight materials were rather expensive at the time. The R101 might be the only airship to have exploded twice.

[@reaperkollyns6495]

That is very interesting. Cursed metal it would seem.

[@Sarah-yl9zs]

@@reaperkollyns6495 Oh

[@M.TTT.]

Cursed materials

[@googleuser3163]

This is an often-repeated bit of false, sensationalist history. R101 was made of galvanized steel. Hindenburg (like all other Zeppelin airships) was made of a lightweight alloy called Duralumin. While the Zeppelin company did purchase the wreck, they did not use the scrap metal to build Hindenburg but rather used it for other purposes such as the construction of hangars and heavier-than-air aircraft.

[@jsa-z1722]

Yes indeed you're right, this is an "urban myth" @@googleuser3163

[@Goabnb94]

"Under pressure to get things right, and quickly" Those two words rarely, if ever, go together. You either do it right, or you do it quick, you can only pick one. Few people spend the correct amount of money to get both.

[@Flammable281]

How true and how history repeats itself when not heeded. Modern aircraft and the space shuttle come to mind.

[@Cynthiabecker24]

May I pass on a couple of recommendations?? 👌 thanks. 1. Disturban 2. Disturban History 3. Leap Frog Studios. Hope you enjoy. Chur🙏🏽

[@EvanBear]

There's a common phrase that goes something like "Things can be done either good, cheap or fast but you can only ever pick two".

[@skylined5534]

This reminds me of a 'pick two words on this chart' thing at work where you get to pick two words from, 'fast' 'cheap' or 'good' and what the outcome of your choices will be. Cheap and fast won't be good. Fast and good won't be cheap. Good and cheap won't be fast.

[@joeheid4757]

So everyone here agrees you shouldn't rush things to get it done quickly no matter how much political pressure there is. Got it. So understand exactly why people don't want to get the vaccine.

[@Hiddenronin]

"She's too heavy" said the Coxwain "She'll never make this flight." Said the Captain "Damn the Cargo, we're on our way tonight" Iron Maiden made a fantastic song about the R101 - Empire of the Clouds.

[@culcune]

They cover quite a lot of British history in their songs, not to mention Egyptian mythology, and literary classics (I believe those are British writers).

[@williamholmes9195]

One of my all time favorite songs by them.

[@jeffsimon9594]

Yes although back in the '90s there was a full album about it called 'Curly's Airships' by Chris Judge Smith, formerly of the band Van der Graaf Generator, of whom Bruce Dickinson (and probably other Iron Maiden members) is a life-long fan.

[@grahamhearn19]

Their absolute masterpiece.

[@alexv3375]

"She's the biggest vessel built by man, a giant of the skies! For all you unbelievers, the _Titanic_ fits inside!"

[@knobjob2839]

It was the 20's, of course they had a smoking room. These ships were going to take multiple days to to their destination, and 80% of people smoked back then. It probably was considered somewhat essential because people would have probably tried to smoke without a special room, and it would have been even worse.

[@googleuser3163]

The smoking rooms onboard airships were sealed and pressurized making it literally impossible for gas to enter the room. The only lighter aboard the ship was chained to the smoking room bar. If anything you were more in danger of the room's lead and asbestos lining...

[@1258-Eckhart]

They needed to smoke to steady their nerves.

[@elladeon]

@@googleuser3163 honestly, asbestos is a really good choice, assuming it wasn't too heavy. It's only dangerous when it's ground into a dust that can be inhaled; once it was installed, it would be very effective at preventing fires.

[@knobjob2839]

I wasn't saying the smoking room was a danger to the smokers; but that without it, the smokers would be a danger to the rest of the ship.

[@Cheriwrites75]

Precisely this. Also, in that time smoking was widely considered to be healthy. Public opinion didn't turn on smoking until the 1970's, as crazy as that sounds. In the 40's and 50's doctors would often smoke WHILE examining patients. So it's no surprise that the smoking room was considered essential.

[@P_RO_]

The R101 almost didn't take off on it's fateful flight. A few hours before they were to leave someone discovered that they didn't have an "Airworthiness Certificate" which was necessary to enter any other Nation's airspace. A quick round of telegraph messages to and from Politicians was able to have one delivered to the Ship in time, although the ship hadn't met the legal requirements for issuance. It wasn't fit to fly.

[@omegavladosovich6757]

To be fair, the R 100 barely made its round trip to Canada. Rain leaked into the cabins and the outer fabric kept rippling. Writings like Nevil Shute Norway's book are heavily biased to paint R100 as vastly superior. There's also a lot of circlejerk about Lord Thompson rushing the R101 but there were other factors and pressures aside from him.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

@@omegavladosovich6757 Same with the Titanic.... ships designer on board.... Captain Smith goes down with his ship.... Let's blame them. Sorted. Easy Peasy. NEXT!

[@QT5656]

This KZbin channel is one of the best KZbin channels.

[@lantinkan9013]

preach!!! damn right it is!

[@NannupTiger]

agree!

[@aaronbasham6554]

I read that as "this KZbin channel is one of the KZbin channels", and have I have to agree

[@Clankypnats]

I've been binge watching this channel ever since I came across it, it's so addicting

[@austovalparaiso1234]

without a doubt

[@OfficialPrettyLittleLiars]

I love that you lined it up to upload on the same day

[@TigerRose246]

Noticed the same thing: 91 years ago today.

[@HealThyAse]

Me too. It’s such a tragedy that I feel bad that it’s my birthday. Those poor people could bring only a single change of clothes wrapped in paper. How dare they?!!!

[@JasonFlorida]

Wow I didn't even realize that until I read your comment

[@jenniferlonnes7420]

Uploaded on the anniversary of its demise.

[@lumindoesvideos]

I feel like it was a coincidence that the date is the same but its a nice coincidence.

[@cebbi1313]

Oh to live in the past, smoking a cigar in the asbestos room of the flammable airborne balloon.

[@thatgirlinautumn5995]

The ultimate #yolo

[@pmberry]

Truly, the past is a different country.

[@skylined5534]

@@thatgirlinautumn5995 "What time is it? I can't see the face of my watch" *flips open radium dialled fob watch* *Why... it's time for another 'Lords of England' cigar and another glass of Taylor's Port!"

[@Dulcimertunes]

🤣

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

To be fair, asbestos was fireproof

[@stephaniesealy9375]

My Grandmother was one of the many employed to stitch the fabric of the R101 together...I remember her telling me "I told them, as I live and breathe, this will end in tears, and sure enough it did!" I lived less than a mile and a half from Cardington until I was 19yrs old and my Father worked there until he retired in 1988... Cardington Hangers have a very interesting history!!

[@christopherweise438]

I'm both an old guy, and a history buff. I admit i'd never heard of this one before. Fascinating Horror once again coming through with a hidden gem.

[@morganosborne9258]

I hadn't heard of this one either, only the Hindenburg. History repeats itself because humans don't learn from it.

[@chatteyj]

I heard of it by coincidence just three days ago when I watched a video on it by a new channel I found called 'paper skies', his accent is quite hard to follow but his video on it was very good and in depth.

[@christopherweise438]

@@morganosborne9258 - So true. Lots of horrible things could be avoided if we just triggered our memories.

[@christopherweise438]

@@chatteyj - Thanks for the info.

[@Gustav_Kuriga]

Funnily enough Iron Maiden has a song that covers this very event.

[@jkpanigel4896]

As a former smoker, I can testify as to the importance of having a smoking room. Passengers, ignorant of the volatility of hydrogen, would have probably tried to sneak cigarettes if there hadn’t been a designated smoking room. At least this room would have provided some measure of protection against ignition of the hydrogen.

[@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars]

It was also kept pressurised to prevent ANY chance of sparks getting out.

[@HKittenm]

even modern airplanes have cigarette disposals in bathrooms for this reason

[@Helladamnleet]

@@PercyPruneMHDOIFandBars Technically being pressurized wouldn't prevent sparks from getting out, it would just prevent the flammable gas from getting in

[@MrBUBBAKY]

Amazingly a highly addictive and deadly drug, it destroyed almost my entire WWII Generation Family. More interesting, are the idiots still trying to addict themselves to Nicotine, despite the deadly facts.

[@christiangibbs8534]

well reasoned. I appreciate this insight.

[@alexv3375]

_Now a shadow on a hill, the angel of the east_ _The empire of the clouds may rest in peace_ _And in a country churchyard, laid head to the mast_ _Eight and Forty souls, who came to die in France._ *- Iron Maiden* (Empire of the Clouds)

[@jr540123]

Legendary song.

[@emlix1]

Those lines are very Shane MacGowan-y

[@SuperRoo_22]

Classic Bruce Dickinson.

[@yesterdaydream]

I never thought about how people physically boarded these airships. That photo at 7:47 made me feel woozy.

[@syntheticat-3]

I adore airships, and got a degree in aeronautical engineering specifically so that I could have a shot at working with them someday. I really believe that investigating the causes behind the (relatively, VERY few) fatal crashes is one of the most important steps in determining how viable an airship revival would be, so I was very happy to see the notification for today’s video!! Great to see you cover this case ✨

[@bo7341]

As a fellow airship nerd, I think the problem is the efficiency rather than the safety. It might work as a novelty thing, but planes are so efficient at transporting large numbers of people quickly that airships simply can't compete. Add in the cost of that much hydrogen/helium and the safety concerns and sadly it just isn't viable.

[@acaciablossom558]

I think airships would have a much better chance today. Primarily because smoking while flying is illegal now.

[@Chronically_JBoo]

Sweet i have one in biochemistry. I have a genetic condition that makes me look and sound like im 12 lol

[@kai990]

get 89 more degrees and you might be able to "Just go there"

[@megyskermike]

I'm not even that big a fan and I wish they'd come back. Guess it's not economically reasonable anymore though : [ Everything is done in terms of nickels and dimes by corporations these days... Unless you're one if those billionaires doing whatever you want, there's very slim chances these will exist again (or anything without great profit).

[@cecils.4570]

I can only imagine the panic the pilots must have felt when seeing all those crates full of wine bottles and that rug.

[@WouldntULikeToKnow.]

Thank you for honoring those who worked on the airship. They were victims of the ambition of others.

[@creationsylphfandom6256]

What a kind way to end the video, praising and recognizing the bravery of the staff who knew the risks boarding that ship and still doing so. You have a subscriber for life with me.

[@McMahonshaun]

If I remember rightly. The Hindenburg had a large amount of the r101's chassis. It was a special alloy the British had developed for aircraft.

[@slowhoon]

Yeah, the Paper Skies channel covered this same disaster and included that point.

[@skylined5534]

Magnesium alloy? I'm guessing? Strong, light, and given the right impetus a propensity to burn fiercely!

[@janosnagyj.9540]

@@skylined5534 Magnesium would not survive that fire after the crash! It would just burn with that famous, glaring white flames...

[@McMahonshaun]

@@slowhoon that's where I saw it. Paper skies great channel

[@Lazmanarus]

As someone posted above, the R101 was made of galvanised steel not Duralumin & certainly not magnesium alloy, the structure was actually used to make things like hangars & other ancillary things.

[@catw4729]

I was interested in airships when I was a teenager. My father gave me a copy of Neville Shute’s book Sliderule. Although he later became an author he was originally an engineer and worked on the R100. It’s many years since I read it, but I do remember how bitter he was that what he saw as carelessness in the construction of R101 also killed their project.

[@JCBro-yg8vd]

This is just what I like about this channel. It shines a spotlight on disasters both well known and those that have otherwise been forgotten to time. It's always imperative we learn from the past, or else we're doomed to repeat it.

[@patagualianmostly7437]

A footnote to your comment: May 2023: Have you not heard...? The Irish Government is considering a ban on DISCUSSING HISTORY......at any level...whatever your views are! Check out "History Debunked"... he posted it a few days ago..... Mind blowing!

[@auxaus4613]

I'm so happy to see this channel succeeding, the content is awesome.

[@yakacm]

Jesus I just looked at his sub count, pretty sure when I first started watched these videos a year or so ago it was 40k or something. Yeah love the content too, especially that he posts mid week, it's something to look forward to.

[@hugoboyce9648]

During its visit to Canada, the R100 moored at Saint-Hubert airport. To this day, the road at the end of which the ship was anchored is still called "Rue du R-100"

[@PentagramIndustries]

Iron Maiden made a song in tribute to the R101. That's what made me do research on the disaster.

[@RoccosVideos]

Perfect timing, this video was just posted.

[@chatteyj]

Did Led Zepplin do a song about it ?

[@drumdad54sdl47]

@@chatteyj No, but an image of the Hindenburg bursting onto flame was on their debut album.

[@chatteyj]

@@drumdad54sdl47 I know it was kind of a lame joke by me, apologises.

[@Stuart_Cox1969]

It's a great song, very immersive, makes you feel the journey. Someone made a video for the song on YT telling the story of the R101 with pictures.

[@KittyClaudia]

It doesn't matter what job you do. As soon as pressure is put on the workers, mistakes are inevitable. It's a shame that money and pride are more important than people's lives.... Even today. One would think that lessons can be learned from past disasters to make it right...

[@Araneus21]

some pressure is fine, as long as safety nets are present and alternate routes to solve problems available. put too much and for too long and mistakes are guaranteed, and with mistakes inevitably come accidents and fatalities

[@screamcollector]

id theorize the smoking room was actually a safety feature- the designers considered that people would be smoking regardless, so they built a isolation chamber for the lighter sparks and cig butts

[@patagualianmostly7437]

I agree to a point...but the "smoking Room" was not the cause of the crash.... It was well below a safe height as it crossed the coast into France... It was uncontrollable due to leaking gas bags causing its instability.... had it been at the correct height & cruising merrily along.... and was engulfed in a catastrophic explosion: OK now we look at the smoking room.... But no, it hit the ground..... and THEN exploded. Every eye witness said that..... "It just came down...rather slowly, hit the ground...and THEN exploded. That much is not in doubt. . Overweight.... insufficient compensation for leaking gas (Lift) ..... (ie ballast ditching?) It was doomed from take off. Untried, un-proven...haste killed this craft.

[@johnboulton1109]

A fascinating case of pressure to get something done at any cost, leading to a tragic outcome. Thanks for doing this one, it’s one I’ve been interested in for years but there is so little on it.

[@simpletonapollo9723]

"Even though they feared for their lives, they considered it their duty". Powerful words. Having courage is being scared but doing the job anyway.

[@brotherkhrayn3525]

“Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s having fear and still doing it anyway.”

[@Br0wncheesE-]

Iron Maiden’s song «Empire of the Clouds» tells the story of the R101. I believe it is their longest studio recorded song at almost 20 minutes.

[@gemmasmith6661]

Having been inside the cardington hangers and seeing the size, seeing the R101 must of been a magnificent sight! The history is astounding!

[@briantrevor1706]

My Nan was outside her Essex house along with many neighbours when the R 101 airship flew past .She remembered that the airship was low down and everyone was saying how worryingly low it was flying . Everyone had a dreadful feeling .How very sad .

[@bobbobson4069]

This is a brilliant documentary! An excellent script, clear pronunciation, and very well researched. I appreciate the attention to historical detail and the archival footage! Brilliant! (from Warsaw, Poland)

[@trelard]

I first heard about this via the Iron Maiden song, "Empire of the Clouds". Great bit of storytelling. Great video explaining in more detail what actually happened.

[@suzieb8366]

The Hindenburg is the one ALWAYS remembered due to the news footage I assume.

[@1258-Eckhart]

Whereas the R101 went down in the middle of the night unseen and unrecorded.

[@tranquilrabies]

OH, THE HUMANITY!

[@franklantic]

Well, American media. Had to be heard around the world. You know that already.

[@suzieb8366]

@@franklantic Good point :o)

[@ACE53621]

Yes, pretty amazing footage. The Hindenburg had a lot of significance because it was a symbol of NAZI power, a "propaganda vehicle." It was also the one that ended the era of airships.

[@RobynS9722]

Awesome as usual. I love how you feel no need to make things more dramatic than they already are.

[@dalekbumps]

The Eighth Doctor's first Doctor Who audio drama is set on the R101, that's what made me research it. Apparently it was aliens

[@greebo7857]

EXTERMINATE!

[@garrick3727]

It's always aliense.

[@TimeLady8]

That was how I first heard of the R101. And Vortisaurs, but that's another story.

[@johnnypkbond1251]

You, my friend are my favorite history teacher. Thank you for your on-going research and monologue.

[@eddieb.klighton9398]

Honestly one of two channels where one watched everything. Look forward to every upload

[@jp.1543]

Undoubtedly one of my favorite KZbin channels ever, if not the best. Thank you so much for putting together these episodes with such class and dignity that only you could do. God bless you.

[@aperturius]

"Handmade gasbag" is a wonderful insult.

[@shannonsprague4898]

Your channel is the only "history" based channel that I watch. Your videos are always interesting and very well produced. Excellent work 🙂

[@horrortackleharry]

RIP Lord Thomson's champagne.

[@calvingraunke375]

RIP Lord Thompson :E

[@k33k32]

and fancy rug!

[@Majikfish]

Absolutely incredible work. I had never heard of this story and I’m very thankful that you have brought it to light with this video. Truly fascinating!

[@jonathancarlson6127]

Yes! Been waiting on this one since the “Doctor Who” audio drama.

[@iain9757]

Who doesn’t love Charley Pollard

[@crazybub11]

It’s been crazy watching this channel grow over the years. Keep up the great work.

[@fawzanfawzi9993]

I always love it when this channel uploads everytime I'm having my dinner ready.

[@Zonyxe]

Wow, every since I fell in love with the Iron Maiden song Empire of the Clouds (an absolute masterpiece of music), I've been fascinated by the story of the r101. And to see you make a video got me so excited!

[@RoccosVideos]

It’s shocking to me that they’d have a smoking room.

[@MajesticalHonky]

Doctors used to do cigarette commercials.

[@Produkt_R]

Using cancer inducing cigarettes in a room lined with asbestos, a cancer inducing material.

[@tumslucks9781]

They must have smoked Lucky Strikes cigarettes.

[@chatteyj]

Come on man it was asbestos lined. Totally safe.

[@NannupTiger]

Drs would literally say 'smoking tobacco clears the lungs!' they must have been paid off from the tobacco lobbyists/whoever earns tax $ on the product... Surgeons back then, SMH, but they would smoke during surgery...

[@LouiseBurrows]

My nan, who will be 100 years old next month, remembers seeing the airship as a child. She and her younger sister were playing in their garden in London, when they were disturbed by noise and a looming shape. There overhead, flying very low was the R101, it's motors making quite a noise. She was rather scared and fascinated at the same time!

[@xozegraf7179]

Thank you for this "on the day" release!

[@carolsummers8734]

When I lived in Naperville IL, the Goodyear blimp would go over our house on its way to the Chicago Bears football games on Sundays. It never failed to amaze us as it flew over.

[@annierichings2876]

I love your channel! Thank you so much for the time, detail and accuracy you put into these beautifully produced accounts of history! I’d love to hear you do the story of the Piper Alpha disaster…? Keep up the great work, Annie 👍😊

[@kc4cvh]

As a youth, I read Nevil Shute's book on his experience with the design, construction and operation of R-100 and I recall he devoted at least twenty pages to criticism of R-101. These amounted to R-101 was overweight, due to needless devices such as the servo control for the rudder and elevator and R-101 was leaky. In fact, the risk arises not from these design shortcomings or the hydrogen, but from the enormous surface area of the hull. This makes the craft susceptible to random air currents perpendicular to the hull axis, if it is an updraft, the ship may ascend to great heights and possibly burst, like USS Shenandoah, or if a downdraft, "auger in" like R-101, USS Akron, USS Macon and Airlander-II. This fault can't be remediated, so the rigid airship concept was abandoned.

[@craigmclean8260]

The powerplants for the R-101 were five eight-cylinder Beardmore "Tornado" diesels (essentially coupling two four-cylinder Beardmore railcar engines together, and thus very heavy), whereas the R-100 used three Rolls Royce "Condor" engines (gasoline, and much lighter)

[@kc4cvh]

@@craigmclean8260 I had forgotten this. Shute mentioned the belief among those heading the airship programme that petrol was subject to spontaneous combustion in hot climates, hence the choice of Diesel engines for the India-bound ship. There must have been better motors available: Luftschiff Hindenburg did not seem weighed down by the four Daimler-Benz Diesel engines, also the superior efficiency of Diesel engines may compensate for more massive engines with reduced fuel load.

[@Dachusblot]

I think this is one of the only times on this channel that the disaster wasn't caused by greedy capitalists trying to cut corners for profits. Instead it was caused by idiot politicians trying to cut corners for their ego. Ahhh humanity. It's too bad too. The whole concept of airships is really cool. I'd love to live in a world where air cruises were a thing.

[@jackalope07]

ah yes those non greedy non capitalists in... 👓 the British empire ❓

[@TransDrummer1312]

Those government dipshits cut costs cuz they do what capitalists do: prioritize luxury and costs over safety and human lives

[@residentelect]

What about the "greedy capitalists" responsible for the Chernobyl meltdown...?

[@jackalope07]

@@residentelect Do you really want to go back and forth? I promise you you'll run out first. Union Carbide at Bhopal

[@residentelect]

@@jackalope07 No thanks chief, my break is over soon. No need to fall out as that's not who I am. Capitalism, Socialism and all the other political and economic systems seem to have their positives and negatives. That's my fence-sitting opinion anyway. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day, Alex.

[@ItsJustLisa]

“We can’t carry all of that, sir.” “I am a lord. You cannot tell me what I can or cannot do.” “Respectfully sir, the laws of physics don’t give a damn about your peerage.” Well, the old blowhard made the news, alright.

[@jesuszamora6949]

Isn't that how it goes. "...You'll get your headlines, Mr. Ismay."

[@jwenting]

neither the first nor the last time that happened...

[@Tyrunner0097]

@@jesuszamora6949 "He wanted a legend, and by God, he's got one."

[@larrywest42]

There's also the issue of the process by which an arrogant idiot got placed in charge of an incredibly important, technically challenging project. Sadly, many people still eagerly fall for con jobs over demonstrated competence.

[@Scottocaster6668]

"I must travel my imported imperial rug of 200# weight, so it can be rolled out under the feet before my departuring exit"

[@PandaNFriends23]

It's almost as if politicians should take a responsible step back and allow professionals' scientific consensus, that has more than a Wikipedia paragraph's understanding of a subject, to determine deadlines and details. Who would have seen that coming?

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Indeed. That being said, there were also errors by said professionals on the R101 team. Because it's also a case of cramming a bunch of unmatured innovations into a salad.

[@LaurieWilliams-lk8fc]

But look at the "scientific consensus" based false beliefs and bad policy advice in nutrition and climate, for example.

[@aimeem]

@@LaurieWilliams-lk8fc Are you anti-vaxx too?

[@patagualianmostly7437]

PandaNFriends: Certainly not the shoddy crowd that has occupied Westminster these last decades: All of them... Without fail... Have Failed Britain. All of them "miffed" to have missed the gravy boat...and extremely angry they have missed the Cruise Liner that was the Brussels Junket. La creme de la Creme! Britain has the worst Parliament for decades...... spoilt brats with no sense of responsibility. And you wonder why the Civil Service is in revolt?

[@talleywa5772]

​@LaurieWilliams5066 we all know what you're referring to. It's not a vax.

[@CapCarter838]

I’ve never heard this story before. Thanks for covering it. I live down the road from where The Hindenburg went down. I’ve been in the hangar you showed a picture of, I’ve driven into it! The Hindenburg is a big deal here in Ocean County, NJ. At a local museum I work at we have pieces of the Hindenburg on display along with some plates and other things found at the crash.

[@awesome_comment]

A smoking room lined with asbestos sounds utterly divine 😆

[@skylined5534]

How gentile! Ox blood red Leather wingback chairs and the double potential for lung cancer! Haha!

[@tanekrune5873]

I mean, when you smoke, you're already risking your lungs. Makes sense to have death walls. I'm probably still in if I can smoke while flying across my massive country.

[@chatteyj]

@@tanekrune5873 I'm not entirely sure asbestos is fire proof anyway, I seem to remember chucking some on a bonfire once and it popping and exploding more than anything.

[@skylined5534]

@@chatteyj It really is fire proof. Either that wasn't asbestos or it was covered in something flammable.

[@tanekrune5873]

@@skylined5534 I was thinking either that, or the process to create the fireproofing gives it a lot more resistance than just loose asbestos.

[@annehersey9895]

You have absolutely no idea how big those things are until you see them and their hangars close enough. I used to have to drive by the hangar for the Goodyear blimp in LA twice a day. Just the hangar alone made airplane hangars look like dolls versions. It was immense. If the blimp was outside moored, I would have to pull over and just gaze for a bit. It was absolutely massive!

[@quickestscoped7603]

and this one was 3x the size of a goodyear blimp...

[@mm881969]

That was the most classy and proper and compassionate way you could’ve made that statement: “many of them knew that they were possibly in danger, but felt it was their duty to board the aircraft.” I’m paraphrasing, of course. Basically, that’s what you were saying, and you put in very good words. Excellent, excellent job. But then all of your stories are done very well.. keep up the good work

[@Unownshipper]

There's an alternate timeline where airship travel like this succeeded and remained viable. And I'll admit it, even after learning of this tragedy, I'm a little jealous to not be living in that timeline.

[@MyH3ntaiGirl]

Nah, i wouldn't want to waste time travel in these ticking bomb

[@nickkerr5714]

I dont think so

[@drumdad54sdl47]

Germany's Graf Zeppelin logged over a million miles of safe travel, including an around-the-world flight in 1929. I'd have loved to have been aboard.

[@chatteyj]

It would be a sight to behold initially but imagine the ugly sight of airship congestion when international travel became popular, it would be so bad it would block out the sun!

[@chadschmaltz9790]

I like to imagine that timeline also has a steampunk aesthetic that I've always found very appealing.

[@billyflores3360]

Hello,i stumbled onto your channel and i love it. Explaining history like a puzzle that’s been methodically and calculated into the important pieces to reveal a scene

[@rosiebargoed681]

I love your channel, even if the subject matter is sad. Narration is fantastic.

[@RazorFriendly]

I haven't seen anything about this airship since I was a kid. I had a disaster book that I used to check out at the library, which not only covered this disaster, but also the wreck of the airships Akron, Macon, and Shenandoah. They all seem lost to history, so thank you for this upload. Who would have believed a government could build something that would end so terribly?

[@sharonsmith583]

I so look forward to this channel every week. We still have the Goodyear blimps going in US. They fly over football games, mostly

[@abalada]

Strictly seen those are no blimps anymore. Goodyear is using in the USA semi-rigid Zeppelin NTs since 2014. Technically something between a blimp and a full-rigid airship like the R101.

[@PPh844]

"Failure was not an option." If I've learned anything from this channel and life in general, failure is ALWAYS an option!

[@najrenchelf2751]

Airship travel sounds so mysteriously epic from the descriptions here - I think that's one of the things that I'd love to do, if I could! :D

[@jamesstuart3346]

1:32 Neither Australia nor Canada were colonies of Great Britain at that time. They had long since become independent countries

[@ploopower89]

i really hope you get over a million subscribers because your content is amazing

[@FalloutofContext]

Always exciting getting a notification for your channel, I always enjoy watching your content during my lunches at work.

[@TheDalhuck]

If memory serves right, The R101 frame was sold for scrap, and some of that metal ended up in the Hindenburg.

[@SeekingTheLoveThatGodMeans7648]

Aluminum recycled...

[@quickhistory5486]

Tuesday truly is the best day for content on KZbin; Fascinating Horror AND That Chapter upload!

[@RJFPme]

I never knew how Dirigibles were boarded until now. That looked precarious entering from the docking area ?

[@PrezVeto]

The design of that boarding mast is actually very clever. The airship can rotate around it 360° with the wind without the gang plank detaching or becoming unusable.

[@TUFprofan]

I appreciate the research you do for these videos. Your videos are entertaining but also educational as I had never heard of a lot of these disasters before.

[@youtubehastakenovermylife4979]

I have the utmost’s respect for the guy that n charge of this channel. Excellent material. Excellent (and very respectful) narration. Keep it u man! I’ve watched all of your videos. Amazing really

[@riinak7212]

I love the ambience of these. The information is usuallt spot on, the music gives it a universally creepy yet serious vibe and the narration is top notcn. it makes me want to submit some disasters of my own to the channel but I fear the quality and diligence of the research wouldn't be as deep and accurate if the upload pace increased. Brilliant channel and one I always enjoy seeng notificstions of new uploads in my inbox, :)

[@kgoulding1237]

For some reason I can't help but think of Archer slapping lighters and cigarettes out of the hands of passengers.

[@CartoonHero1986]

Likewise, although at least this time he would kind of right.

[@Aj-cs6cw]

I was looking for this comment 😆

[@fds7476]

dO yOu WaNt To BlOw Us AlL tO sHiT sHeRlOcK?!

[@blakefontenot7600]

A broad with a staticy sweater gets on and it's "ohhhh the humanity!!"

[@bmlgordon]

Then he would have some champagne. “Have to lighten the load!”

[@Wonderwalnut123]

Love your work. Look forward to it every week. Whole family found you organically around the same time, love talking to them about your new vids!

[@jakesickelyt]

Nice history lesson/video as always to watch on my birthday of a disaster that occurred 62 years before I was born! I don’t mean to brag but a relative on my dad’s side was chosen to speak to the captain of the Hindenburg after it crashed. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families 🇬🇧🕊

[@wtorules4743]

Really well written. Respectful to the victims, knowledgeable of the technical aspects and just nicely summarised. .

[@seangiglio]

A smoking room on a blimp coated in asbestos is probably the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard of from these videos

[@madgary5827]

The best narration ever. As usual. Thank you and I like this video

[@TotoDG]

If I remember correctly, R101 was the subject of a song called ‘Empire of the Clouds’, on the Iron Maiden album ‘Book of Souls’.

[@jimgardner1306]

The song is six minutes longer than this video. Not complaining... just saying.

[@HaydnMowbray]

Not only that. Bruce Dickinson invested in an airship company that was based in one of the sheds at Cardington where there R101 was built. The sheds are very impressive as was the 'flying bum' airship which I believe has now been taken to the US

[@pblack19141]

Enjoyed this video. You, uncover tragedies that are not in any history books that I can recall. Thank you.

[@ashbolight]

24th August 1921 the R38 airship crashed into the Humber Estuary killing 44 of the 49 aboard. At the time it was the world's largest airship

[@pdbordelon]

I never heard of this incident. Fascinating indeed! Thanks for the great and educational content!

[@fouresterofthetrees287]

I see these regularly since they are made in a neighboring city and they fly over to our airport for testing, usually pure white, no markings on them. My previous landlord was a foreman on a ground crew that travelled to sporting events and concerts with a Fuji ship. For years, India and Pakistan were big customers for the airship builder as they used them for surveillance on each other. They may still do that, not sure.

[@Gustav_Kuriga]

Modern blimps are largerly not very similar to those airships. They aren't expected to carry a great amount of weight and are much simpler designs. Pretty sure they don't have a rigid hull, airships back then were largely of rigid hull design.

[@fouresterofthetrees287]

@@Gustav_Kuriga They also use helium now, although it is getting scarce and expensive.

[@dwlopez57]

Probably use drones and satellites now

[@craigmclean8260]

I used to occasionally see at least one of the Fuji ships flying over Seattle in the early-1990s. Some time around 1990, PBS aired a fascinating show on the "airship story", and all of the various successes--and failures--over the history of blimp/airship flight. One model used four Sikorski helicopters strapped to a frame for propulsion; it proved unstable and crashed. The smaller, modern-type Fuji ship they showed used a Porsche engine, powering two ducted, tilting fans on the sides of the gondola.

[@Gustav_Kuriga]

@@fouresterofthetrees287 That too. Helium is more capable of doing the job if you don't have to lift the heavy hull of a rigid airship.

[@joannafeltner8313]

This channel needs to be made into a TV show!

[@flapjackfae]

Another piece of excellent reporting. Thank you!

[@Crypehead]

I recently finished a Maps list with the locations of memorials from accidents brought up on this channel. Although far away, I don't want to miss a chance to pay a minute of thought for those who died, should I happen to be in the vicinity. Following this channel for a while has highlighted how often tragedies have occured that I had no knowledge on whatsoever.

[@cartergarewal541]

awesome video! i don’t mind waiting for these videos when they’re all this well made.

[@muzutus]

You should do a episode about the sinking of Estonia. It's a huge maritime disaster and the plot has been recently just been thickening. Although I think modern speculation is too far fetched, but it's definitely a subject matter where you can find fascination in horror

[@reaperkollyns6495]

Oooo... That's a good one. Horrifically interesting.

[@discoj7112]

Oh, what are the recent developments?

[@JamieKnight23]

Great video as always! The hangars, surprisingly, still exist. One is leased by Warner Bros studios who have filmed, amongst other things the more recent Batman films there. (It was odd driving past and seeing crushed cars for Gotham PD!) The other is used by Hybrid Air Vehicles - who have actually built new airships. (Known as the Airlander series.) Unfortunately Airlander 10 collapsed back in November 2017, but local whispers suggests they are still working on a new model...

[@DarknetDude]

There's something about floating in a large, FLAMMABLE balloon that, on a surface level, seems... pretty damn dumb.

[@PaiSAMSEN]

With a smoking room, no less.

[@joselineayikoru2310]

Thank you! This was just a disaster waiting to happen!

[@andrewlake2105]

I always watch the new videos when they come out. Great tidbits of history that you don't get much anywhere else

[@nathantew946]

My late granddad saw the R101 in the person. I think it was one of the test flight.