Blimp facts for kids
A blimp is like a giant, flexible balloon that can fly! It's a type of airship that doesn't have a hard, internal frame. Instead, a blimp keeps its shape because of the gas inside it. This gas is usually helium, which is lighter than air. Think of it like a balloon that stays puffed up because of the air inside.
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How Blimps Fly and Stay in Shape
Since blimps are kept in shape by the gas inside, the only solid parts are the small cabin (called a gondola) where people sit, and the tail fins. Some blimps use hot air instead of helium, and these are called hot-air airships.
To keep its shape and fly well, a blimp needs to have enough pressure inside. If the temperature changes or the blimp flies higher, the gas inside might expand or shrink. To fix this, air is pumped into special air bags inside the blimp called ballonets. This helps keep the right pressure. Without enough pressure, a blimp can become hard to steer and will fly slower.
The engines that move the blimp are usually attached right to the gondola. In some blimps, these engines can even be turned to help steer the blimp.
Blimps are the most common type of airship built today. This is because they are fairly easy to make and can be deflated for transport. However, because they are so flexible, their size is limited. A blimp that is too long might bend in the middle if the pressure isn't right or if it moves too fast. This is why bigger airships, like Zeppelins, have a strong, rigid frame inside.
Modern blimps often start their flight a little heavier than air. They use their engines to get the extra lift needed to take off. This way, they don't have to release expensive helium gas when landing or drop heavy ballast (weights) when taking off.
Where Did the Word "Blimp" Come From?
The exact origin of the word "blimp" is a bit of a mystery! Here are a few ideas:
- Some people think it came from the military. They might have called a certain type of non-rigid airship a "limp bag," which was shortened to "blimp."
- Another story says that in 1915, a British commander named A. D. Cunningham was inspecting an airship. He tapped its fabric skin with his finger, and it made a sound like "blimp!" The name then stuck for small, non-rigid airships. This idea is supported by some old aviation journals.
- A different idea comes from Horace Short, who built aircraft. In 1915, when a new type of airship was quickly put together, he supposedly looked at it and said, "Blimp! What else would you call it?"
No matter which story is true, the word "blimp" became popular during World War I to describe these flexible flying machines.
How Blimps Are Used Today
Blimps have been used for many different things over the years.
- Military Patrols: During World War I and World War II, blimps were used by the United States Navy to patrol the coasts. They helped look for enemy submarines and protect ships. The B-class blimps were very successful in this role.
- Advertising: Today, you most often see blimps used for advertising! Companies like Goodyear, Hood, DirecTV, and MetLife have famous blimps that fly around, showing off their logos. In 2014, there were about 13 active advertising blimps flying around the world.
- Camera Platforms: Blimps are also great for carrying cameras to get amazing aerial shots, especially for sports events or big gatherings.
Examples of Blimps
Many different countries and companies have built blimps. Here are a few examples:
- TC-3 and TC-7: These were US Army blimps used in the 1920s for testing.
- Coastal class airship: British blimps used during World War I.
- K class blimp and M class blimp: US blimps used for anti-submarine patrols in World War II.
- Goodyear Blimp: A very famous fleet of blimps used for advertising and TV cameras.
- Skyship 600: A private blimp often used by advertising companies.
- P-791: An experimental blimp developed by Lockheed-Martin.
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Images for kids
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A TCOM 17M Aerostat and Trailer
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DIRECTV blimp Airship, Model A-170LS Video Lightsign
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An A-60+, the MetLife Snoopy Two
