Home > Services > Royal Air Force
R101 airship on mooring mast
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
R101 airship on mooring mast
The R101 airship attached to a mooring mast, Cardington RAF Base. Date: circa 1930
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 14171336
© Mary Evans / Pharcide
Airship Cardington Huts Mast Moored Mooring Parked R101 Base
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "The R101 Airship Moored at Cardington RAF Base, Circa 1930" This evocative black-and-white photograph captures the majestic R101 airship, a marvel of British engineering and innovation, securely attached to a mooring mast at the Cardington Royal Air Force (RAF) Base in the early 1930s. The R101 was one of the largest rigid airships ever built, with a length of 228 meters (748 feet) and a volume of 66,000 cubic meters (2,360,000 cubic feet). The image showcases the airship's impressive size as it towers above the surrounding huts and buildings, which housed the crew and support personnel. The mooring mast, a critical component of the airship's ground handling system, anchors the R101 to the ground, ensuring its stability during maintenance and refueling operations. The scene is further enriched by the presence of cars and other vehicles parked nearby, hinting at the bustling activity that would have taken place at the base during the R101's tenure. The photograph transports us back to the 1930s, an era of technological advancements and optimism, as the world prepared for a new age of air travel. The R101, unfortunately, did not have a long operational life. It suffered a catastrophic crash during its maiden commercial flight to India in October 1930, resulting in the loss of 48 lives. Despite this tragic end, the R101 remains an essential part of aviation history, symbolizing the ambition, determination, and ingenuity of the British people during the interwar period. This photograph, taken at the Cardington RAF Base, offers a unique glimpse into the past, allowing us to appreciate the awe-inspiring nature of the R101 airship and the era in which it thrived.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
