One Of The World's Most Recognizable Aircraft Plays In The Skies Above Oshkosh

At the recently concluded Oshkosh 2008 aerial extravaganza, ANN and Aero-TV yet again, got to play with the Goodyear Blimp. We admit it... we love the big monster gas bag and we thought an update and additional look at this amazing and gentle flyer was worth a second look from Aero-TV.

For 80 years, Goodyear tells ANN that their 'blimps have adorned the skies as very visible corporate symbols of the tire and rubber company that began operations in 1898.'

Today, these graceful giants travel more than 100,000 miles across the United States per year as Goodyear's "Aerial Ambassadors."

The blimp tradition began in 1925 when Goodyear built its first helium-filled public relations airship, the Pilgrim. The tire company painted its name on the side and began barnstorming the United States. Humble beginnings to an illustrious history.

Over the years, Goodyear built more than 300 airships, more than any other company in the world. Akron, Ohio, the company's world headquarters, was the center of blimp manufacturing for several decades.

During World War II many of the Goodyear-built airships provided the U.S. Navy with a unique aerial surveillance capability. Often used as convoy escorts, the blimps were able to look down on the ocean surface and spot a rising submarine and radio its position to the convoy's surface ships... in essence acting as an early warning system. Modern surveillance technology eventually eclipsed the advantages of the airship fleet, and in 1962 the Navy discontinued the program.

Today, The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company no longer mass-produces airships. In the United States it operates three well-recognized blimps: the Spirit of Goodyear, based in Akron, Ohio; the Spirit of America, based in Carson, California; and the Spirit of Innovation, in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Get A Little of The Light Stuff With The Goodyear Blimp and Aero-TV!

FMI: www.goodyearblimp.com, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews