Herpa Wings "Goodyear" Zeppelin NT HE-554749

SuperKungFu · 10-04-2012, 01:58 AM

This one just landed from the FlyingMule

Although this is not the traditional Goodyear Blimp that we've grown accustomed to seeing over the past few years at football stadiums, it will be a common sight in the near future. Goodyear will be swapping out 3 of its blimps for zeppelins starting in 2013. Each one cost about $21 million.

What's the difference between blimps and zeppelins? Blimps are basically helium-filled bags that don't have interior skeletons to help support the envelope and other parts, whereas the zeppelins will have a semi-rigid aluminum and carbon fiber interior skeleton. These new airships would also be significantly larger and would be able to carry more people. It is also faster, top speed at 73 mph compared to the old blimps at 54 mph.

I really like this model, it stands out in my collection and it's my first zeppelin. The Goodyear logo also makes this model extra special. Even though it's made of resin, it's still has a good weight to it. The small propellers were a bit tricky to put on so use caution and don't break/lose them. Overall I am happy with this model and would recommend it. Here's some pictures:

It's actually quite a large model, stretching close to 15" - here's a size comparison with a herpa wings C-130 in the same scale

AIR FRANCE 340 · 10-04-2012, 02:14 AM

Very ice but as you say, it is quite large.

Hanging it from the roof of a cabinet with a strong enough nylon fishing line could be a solution.

No stand, it looks more natural.

Thank you for the pictures.
Really a nice and unusual model.

Jean Pierre.

firefly · 10-04-2012, 02:21 AM

I thought it was inflatable

.

KLM4me · 10-04-2012, 02:23 AM

This is pretty darned awesome. Congrats! I like the clear stand, too. Wish all model stands were clear.

MSR777 · 10-04-2012, 04:11 AM

That's an amazing model. The detailing is typical Herpa, very good. I like the clear stand also.

Upkeep · 10-04-2012, 07:43 AM

That IS quite sharp, alright. I have to echo everyone else's sentiment and say that the clear stand is something I'd like to see used more within the industry also.

BuhZilly · 10-04-2012, 02:26 PM

I'd really like to order this - I am not a major 1/200 collector, but growing up in Houston seeing the Goodyear blimp "America" always brings back great memories. Has there been any talk of making a blimp/zeppelin in 1/400?

Seluryar · 10-04-2012, 09:11 PM

Speaking of these new blimps, does anyone here know where they will build the actual ships? Im holding out for multi-ship formation flights here in Akron Ohio

SuperKungFu · 10-04-2012, 09:22 PM

It was confirmed last year that Goodyear would get 3 Zeppelin, they would go into operation in January 2014. Here's one taking off:
Zeppelin NT D-LZZF taking off from Grimbergen (EBGB) June 2010 - YouTube

Seluryar · 10-04-2012, 10:57 PM

local news report on these new ships:
Parts arriving in Ohio for new Goodyear blimps | wkyc.com

Quote:

AKRON -- German-made parts that will be used to build new, larger and faster Goodyear blimps are arriving at the company's airship hangar in northeast Ohio.

The Akron Beacon Journal reports that parts delivered last week at the Wingfoot Lake hangar base near Akron are the first of many to come.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is preparing to begin construction in January of its new state-of-the-art airship. The new aircraft will replace the Spirit of Goodyear blimp.

The new airship will be part of a $63 million overhaul of Goodyear's blimp fleet announced last year.

Goodyear is teaming up with a German manufacturer to replace its three U.S. airships. The first new blimp will go into operation in 2014.

The Associated Press

N. Eberhard · 10-05-2012, 01:40 AM

I just saw this model here today. For those who like unique 1:200 subjects, this one would definitely fit nicely into a collection.

Seluryar · 10-05-2012, 04:32 PM

Unless Goodyear is changing its ways, I see something missing from this model, unless those above photos are just preliminary models, It seems to be missing the light panel thingamajig that the current fleet has, even if the lights are not on, you can still see where the lights sit on the outside of the shell.

this photo(not mine) shows that you can see the lights against the dark blue:

Goodyear Blimp N3A by gsbrown99, on Flickr

It shouldnt be hard to print dots on this model to represent the lights

SuperKungFu · 10-06-2012, 12:18 AM

That's not the new zeppelin, that's just the old blimps

Seluryar · 10-06-2012, 12:59 PM

I know thats the old blimps, but i dont see goodyear getting rid of the display for their new ships

gospodin · 10-06-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seluryar

I know thats the old blimps, but i dont see goodyear getting rid of the display for their new ships

That's probably something that will be added after the zeps are in normal operation. What you see in the pictures is a factory-fresh aircraft.

Yogurtlite · 10-06-2012, 02:47 PM

Nice globe, HUGE globe. I would love to see it compared with the A380 or a the very little tiny F-16 of the Hogan M-series. Just to realize more the size of the Zeppelin.

Thanks for share us your model.

EGPFGLA · 10-06-2012, 03:46 PM

That is a smart looking model!!!

SuperKungFu · 10-19-2012, 12:24 AM

be very careful of that stand. Today there was no vibrations or shakes but the stand decides to break and it slid off the base and the blimp hit the floor....left a dent on the model.

Without the stand, I can't even display the model. Anyone know of Herpa Wing's replacement parts department?

AIR FRANCE 340 · 10-19-2012, 02:08 AM

You coukd ask Stephan KUELGEN.

stephan.kuelgen@herpa.de

Good luck.

Jean Pierre.

planemark · 10-22-2012, 02:59 PM

Pretty cool and I will have to consider having one of these. It would be nice to have just a little more detail, but still nice. If I buy one, I will have to find a good 1:200 scale football stadium to fly it over!!!

planemark · 10-22-2012, 03:12 PM

Not minutes after posting my comment I saw this link on msn of a replica Giants Stadium. It looks like the Blue Angels are doing the fly-over.

Don Martini, a Giants fan, builds incredible replica of old Giants Stadium in his garage