During World War I, blimps would sometimes hide in a cloud and suspend an observer on a rope ladder about 100 feet (30 meters) below outside of the cloud. The observer would have a clear view of enemy activity but would not be nearly as visible as the blimp itself if it was not in the cloud.
You may think that the job of observer would not be highly coveted, but the contrary is true. If the observer was spotted, enemy planes and anti-aircraft guns would concentrate on the blimp as a far more valuable and easily hit target. If the blimp was hit, the observer at least would have a chance of parachuting and escaping death, while his comrades aboard the ship would be instantly engulfed in a ball of hydrogen-fueled flame.
However, the above factors pale in comparison to the real reason why everyone wanted the observer's job. Quite simply, it was the only place that a blimp crewman was allowed to smoke.
No comments:
Post a Comment