LTA and HTA
January 2nd, 2009 From
>X-Sender: msmall@roanoke.infi.net
>X-Mailer: QUALCOMM Windows Eudora Light Version 3.0.3 (32)
>Date: Wed, 10 Dec 1997 22:39:03 -0500
>To: mahan@microworks.net
>From: Marc James Small
>Subject: LTA and HTA
>Precendence: bulk
>Sender: mahan-owner@microworks.net
>Reply-To: mahan@microworks.net
>
>At 02:13 PM 12/11/97 cst, Peter Sinfield wrote:
> >While those “in the know” might consider it tedious, can I ask – on
> >behalf of us who don’t have an in-depth knowledge of (presumably) USN
> >terminology and acronyms – that abbreviations such as ZR, HTA and LTA
> >are at least explained the first time they are used? It’s most
> >frustrating to read what appears to be an interesting thread, but not
> >fully understand what is being said!
>
>
>Sorry! “HTA” is ‘heavier-than-air’ and “LTA” is ‘lighter-than-air’: these
>are both still current acronyms. The Navy’s rigid dirigible airships were
>given abbreviations to fit them into the Fleet’s schemata for bluewater
>boats, “ZR” was ‘Zeppelin Rigid’, “ZRS” was ‘Zeppelin Rigid Scouting’,
>”ZRN” was ‘Zeppelin Rigid Training’ and a ZRCV for ‘Zeppelin Rigid Aircraft
>Carrier’ was proposed by Burgess for the follow-ons to the AKRON and MACON.
>
>ZR-1 was the US-built SHENANDOAH, a craft seen by both my (then very young)
>parents on her last flight. I’ll get a gutburger next spring at the
>MacDonald’s near her crash site on Interstate 77 in Ohio; she wrecked in
>’25.
>
>ZR-2 was the British R-38, never named, as she exploded before the USN took
>her over. Politics and poor handling caused her demise.
>
>ZR-3 was the German-built LOS ANGELES, one of the two most successful
>airships of all time. She was scrapped in ’38 at Lakehurst.
>
>ZR-4 was the Goodyear-Zeppelin AKRON, which carried four scouting aircraft
>in her belly. She crashed off New Jersey in ’33.
>
>ZR-5 was AKRON’s sister ship, MACON, which carried five aircraft. She
>crashed off of California in ’35, the only rigid airship to meet her end
>in the Pacific.
>
>With all the crashes, it isn’t hard to see why the Fleet rather ignored LTA!
>
>Marc
>
>
>msmall@roanoke.infi.net FAX: +540/343-7315
>Cha robh bas fir gun ghras fir!