US Navy K-Class Blimp Control Car at the New England Air Museum

[Subnuts]

A few months back, I posted a couple pictures of the control car of the K-class blimp K-28, currently under restoration at the New England Air Museum, in the photography thread. A few people asked for more pictures, which I was finally able to obtain at the last open cockpit Sunday. I wasn't able to go inside the gondola, but I was able to walk around it, look inside, and get as close to it as I wanted, so I used it as an excuse to do a little walk-around.

Now, if only I could find a camera which does good indoor shots, that costs less than $500...

View from the front looking all to the rear observer's seat. Keep in mind this thing is the size of a two-story house!
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2747/13205469953_1203839d34_c.jpg

Port side front. Notice the bombardier's station - just a pad on the floor and a few levers for dropping depth charges.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/13205478773_3a2917f469_c.jpg

Closeup of the 50-caliber machine gun. The Navy wisely decided to fill these blimps with helium rather than hydrogen!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/13205639644_7db9c31f4a_c.jpg

Closeup of the "cockpit." The entire control car is so buffed and polished, it's hard to avoid reflections.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/13205649694_731ef60bb5_c.jpg

Farther down the port side.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/13205320085_27d5641f8e_c.jpg

One of the two Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN2 engines. Notice the fold-down platform one of the unfortunate mechanics would have to use if they ever needed to do an inflight engine repair.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2800/13205319725_084273c3ca_c.jpg

Slightly different view from the above...
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/13205331005_1658afa0de_c.jpg

Radio operator's station, looking across the radar operator's station. The black box in the center of the picture is a Magnetic Anomaly Detector.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/13205466643_3c2010e86c_c.jpg

A slightly different view, showing the galley.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3698/13205477933_94d751423a_c.jpg

View through the open mechanic's platform. Not sure what I'm looking at here.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3777/13205648444_a15df2fe9e_c.jpg

(More pictures in the next post.)

[Madox58]

I think I love you.
:hmmm:

[Subnuts]

Port side front in profile...
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2777/13205466113_a67da6b38d_c.jpg

Slightly closer view of the cockpit.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2782/13205647694_6719dcf344_c.jpg

Starboard side front. You can see the blimp's nosecone off the side on the left side of the picture.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3766/13205646674_110eb20f3b_c.jpg
(The grey box with the handle looked like an original piece of ground test equipment, but I didn't get a good picture of it.)

A little bit of aluminum porn.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2797/13205327475_bf4bd99478_c.jpg

Rear of the starboard nacelle. I love that 8-point exhaust (if that's what it is.)
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2876/13205317535_96b8b194e1_c.jpg

Rear of the starboard side. This is the aft observer's station.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/13205645074_b9e6c3e16a_c.jpg

View of the interior looking forward through the rear door.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2723/13205635474_3055c49803_c.jpg

A little thing I threw together to point out some of the main features of the interior.
http://i62.tinypic.com/k0op76.jpg

Better view of the overhead, showing the fuel tanks.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/13205325315_77de2c3797_c.jpg

Mediocre view of the mechanic's station and galley from the outside. Stupid reflections...
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2847/13205643734_02955eba45_c.jpg

[Subnuts]

Port nacelle outriggers and the mechanic's platform. Did I mention I'd hate to be that guy?
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3749/13205324355_f711e2a752_c.jpg

The aft observer's station and the toilet. The relief tube was slightly to the right. Nice of them to keep the signal flares stored right above the toilet. If the heater ever conked out, they could just burn their own poop and keep themselves warm around the fire.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3715/13205642764_c9b5083848_c.jpg

The pigeon was real quiet. It's nice to know the museum takes good care of their animals, too.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3800/13205470963_e7192601be_c.jpg

Another attempt at photographing the cockpit. I hate using the flash on something made out of glass and aluminum, but sometimes it's the only way to get details to show up.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/13205315785_df538e26eb_c.jpg

And since this is Subsim, I had to get a shot of the cut-away depth charge they had on display in front of the control car.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/13205640534_d7acd3abfa_c.jpg

[magic452]

Great pics Subnuts. :up::up: Never have seen this thing close up.

Magic

[Subnuts]

You can see all of the pictures at higher resolution here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/27417638@N07/sets/72157642462323544/

[Jimbuna]

Crackin shots :cool: but where's the dog? :)

[AVGWarhawk]

I would have real reservations with walking out on the access door to the engine to effect a repair. :o

[Jimbuna]

I would have real reservations with walking out on the access door to the engine to effect a repair. :o

The cheeks of your bottom would naturally go into full suction mode and keep you transfixed to the spot...I know mine would :)

[Alex]

Absolutely terrific photos. Thank you very much, Subnuts !

[August]

The cheeks of your bottom would naturally go into full suction mode and keep you transfixed to the spot...I know mine would :)

Safety strap territory undoubtedly.

[GT182]

Safety strap territory undoubtedly.

True. But the fall won't hurt you, tho the sudden stop will. :yep:

[Jimbuna]

Safety strap territory undoubtedly.

Oh yes and I'd want a parachute and a bungee cord in addition to the above please :)

[Sailor Steve]

Now, if only I could find a camera which does good indoor shots, that costs less than $500...
I'm not sure what you're worried about. I think those pictures are fantastic!

On the other hand what I know of real photography would fill at least a paragraph. A short paragraph.

[Catfish]

Very nice, thanks for sharing !! :)

I am an airship buff, currently gathering material for a book. The K-Blimps are a bit too modern :03:, but still fascinating. :up:

[Madox58]

Last night I watched 'Dirigibles' and 'This Mans Navy'.
:yeah:

If you want to see some nice shots of K-Ships?
Watch 'This Mans Navy'.
It's also got some funny as heck parts.
:haha:

Very good movie if your into the 1945 mind set.
:yep: