World War II

Exploring New Technologies

When Defender was lit up with its Neon-O-Gram signage in 1930, it took the Goodyear Blimp to new heights. In 1940, to build on that success, the Goodyear Blimps Reliance, Ranger and Resolute were equipped with a record player, microphone and attached loudspeaker and would “blimpcast” recordings and live greetings to the public below.

This experiment didn’t last long though, and the audio project was soon shelved, but the illuminated signage remained and became synonymous with the iconic Blimp we know today.

America at War

On the morning of December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. That attack led America into World War II, and from the very start, Goodyear’s Blimps were engaged in America’s defense.

Shortly after the attack, four Blimps in Goodyear’s fleet were transferred directly to the Navy, one with its entire staff of pilots and crew. Goodyear’s Resolute patrolled the Los Angeles harbor while operating under privateer status for the government – something not done by a private ship since the War of 1812 – Resolute was officially transferred into the Navy in March of 1942.

From 1942 through 1944, 104 Navy airships, including the K-2 model, were erected at Wingfoot Lake and flown to Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst. In addition, Goodyear built 44 ships at Moffett Field and four M-ships at the Akron Airdock.

With their ability to stay airborne for long periods of time while slowly patrolling the ocean below, Goodyear-built blimps were an important part of the Navy’s convoy escort duty. These incredible aircraft kept the warships on the seas safe, with no reported loss of shipping when a blimp was on watch.

Goodyear airship construction, training and operation during World War II not only supported the eventual Allied victory but also were the cause for sustaining lighter-than-air programs in the years following the end of hostilities.

However, Goodyear’s efforts were not without sacrifice. At Wingfoot Lake a memorial plaque is dedicated to the nine airship pilots and crew members who gave their lives in the service of their country in the development of lighter-than-air craft.

Peace at Last

With the end of World War II, happier times followed for America and a “lighter” duty befell the blimps. Goodyear resumed its commercial fleet operations with the purchase of seven L-ships and six K-ships from the United States government.

In 1946 to 1947 Goodyear put the Ranger, Volunteer, Enterprise, Mayflower and Puritan into service for advertising and public relations. The company also continued to build airships for the government until the early 1960s, when the Navy program was discontinued.

It was time to get back to lighting up the skies with the Goodyear name! In 1947, progressing past the original Neon-O-Gram concept first used on the Defender in 1930, Goodyear installed panels with 182 individual incandescent bulbs.

It wasn’t all fun and games, however, as the Blimps were destined for greater things. Always in the plan, their role in advertising and marketing for the growing company was quickly becoming legend. Meanwhile, the Blimps and more complex lighter-than-air craft were being groomed as defense vehicles for the military.

Goodyear’s blimps were moving ahead with the times, as they had always done, but they were far from finished. The 1950s were just around the corner, and that would prove to be a decade of incredible opportunity and development for the fleet.