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Goodyear Blimps |
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Goodyear Blimp "Defender" with Crowd at Airfield 1930 |
Pictured is the Goodyear Blimp "Defender" at Opa-Locka. Goodyear began producing commercial blimps in 1925. The "Defender" was built in Akron in 1929 and was the flagship of Goodyear's fleet until her retirement in 1934. She carried two crewmembers and eight passengers at a cruising speed of 45 mph. Although the "Defender" visited Miami for the winter air meets, it was never officially based in Miami. Upon retirement the airship was sold to the U.S. Navy and entered into military service. |
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Shown taking off at Opa Locka, the "Defender" was the first Goodyear Blimp to be used at sporting events. The "Defender" often visited Los Angeles for the Rose Bowl game and was present at the 1932 Olympic Games. The "Defender" was christened by Amelia Earhart at the 1929 National Air Races in Cleveland, Ohio. |
Goodyear Blimp "Defender" at Airfield, 1929-1930 |
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Two Blimps and Crowd |
This photograph shows the "Defender" on the ground at Opa-Locka while her sister ship the "Puritan" approaches the field. Opa-Locka became the home of the first Florida based Goodyear Blimp in 1929 when the "Mayflower" began spending the winters in Miami. A succession of Goodyear Blimps used the hangar at Opa-Locka until the airship base was moved to Pompano Beach in the 1980s. Blimps were a common site on Watson Island, near downtown Miami, where passengers boarded the airships for sightseeing cruises of the city and beaches. |
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The Goodyear Blimp "Puritan" is shown above Miami in this photograph taken on December 10, 1931. The "Puritan" was completed in 1929 and was the first Goodyear Blimp to be equipped with engines on each side of the gondola. This configuration still remains in use on all Goodyear Blimps. Like the other blimps, the "Puritan" traveled the country promoting Goodyear and its products. One of the highlights of the "Puritan's" career was its appearance at the "Century of Progress" World's Fair in Chicago. Since 1917, Goodyear has produced more than 347 airships, the majority of them for military uses. |
Goodyear Blimp "Puritan" 12-10-31 |
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