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37.5"L x 8.5"H x 6"W
In 1919, with the First World War behind it, the U.S. Navy began a rigid airship program, ordering the construction of two dirigibles, plus a very large hangar at Lakehurst, New Jersey. One of the new rigids was built in England as the British R-38, using what was presumed to be a tested and mature technology. Upon delivery, she was to become the American ZR-2.
Already wearing U.S. markings, R-38 made three more flights during the next two months, both for testing purposes and for the training of her American crew. Delivery was to take place soon thereafter, with the airship being flown across the Atlantic to begin operations from Lakehurst. Her fourth flight began on 23 August 1921, amid growing questions about her performance and structural strength. After an overnight flight out to sea, the next day R-38 undertook full power and maneuvering trials. These proved too much for her. She broke up in the air, some of her hydrogen lifting gas exploded, and the wreckage fell into the Humber River near Hull, England. Of the forty-nine men on board, there were only five survivors, including one American. Sixteen U.S. Navy officers and men were killed, essentially wiping out the Service's small cadre of experienced rigid airship personnel.
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