Existing comment:
Restoring a Goodyear Blimp Control Car -- Right Before Your Eyes
The National Air and Space Museum acquired the control car of the Goodyear GZ-20A blimp Columbia in 2014. Because of a shortage of space in the Mary Baker Engen Restoration Hangar, museum staff decided to undertake the preservation/restoration of the craft on the exhibition floor, where visitors could get a close-up view of the process.
With the assistance of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, an experienced museum volunteer restoration specialist, supported by a curator and other staff members, has planned the project and is undertaking the work. While the basic framework of the car dates to 1934, when the work is complete by the end of 2016, the craft will be returned to its condition during its years of service in 1970-1986 as one of Goodyear's iconic commercial blimps. Fitted with the appropriate cameras and other equipment, Columbia will appear as it did when providing aerial television coverage of the Super Bowl and other sporting events.
[Note that this sign, saying the project would finish by the end of 2016, was photographed in February 2017.] |