Airship convertible into balloon - cabin travels along track following contour of underside and nose of envelope

摘要

An airship which can be converted to a balloon has a gas holder with an elongated envelope having the same shape as a conventional airship, and a nacelle similarly of conventional shape, the latter being suspended underneath on a track which follows the contour of the underside and of the nose. The nacelle which contains the power unit, also includes a winch and cable mechanism to enable the nacelle to travel on rollers along the track, acting as a stabiliser and causing the envelope to change from a horizontal to a vertical alignment, tail uppermost. The envelope is divided up internally into several gas compartments, and externally carries stabilising fins.