Blimp Training Diary, 1946: Finding Aid
Published in November 2012
Summary Information
- Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
- Publisher Address:
589 McNair Road
Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
Phone: 410-293-6917
https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php - Call number: MS 400
- Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
- Title: Blimp Training Diary
- Dates: 1946
- Size: 0.04 linear feet
- Container Summary: 4 folders containing 35 leaves
- Language(s) of material: English
- Abstract: The Blimp Training Diary, comprising a single, unbound, thirty-five page journal excerpt, spans from April until July 1946. The diary, which alternates between handwritten and typewritten, is a first-hand, daily account of the author's lighter-than-air training and social life at Lakehurst Naval Air Station.
Biography of Unknown Author
The unidentified author of the Blimp Training Diary enlisted, most likely in the United States Naval Reserve, on March 6, 1943, at the age of seventeen. The author received lighter-than-air flight training and ground schooling at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Jackson, New Jersey throughout the spring and summer of 1946, where he trained on G and K class blimps, as well as balloons.
Description of Contents
The Blimp Training Diary, comprising a single, unbound, thirty-five page journal excerpt, spans from April until July 1946. The diary, which alternates between handwritten and typewritten, is a first-hand, daily account of the author's lighter-than-air training and social life at Lakehurst Naval Air Station.
Many of the entries throughout the diary make brief mention of the author's training experiences, such as training flights, basic blimp and balloon operation, and ground school classes and curriculum, as well as the author's opinions towards specific instructors and ground school classes. The author also makes frequent mention of various aspects of military life not specifically related to his training, such as meals in the mess hall, laundry, payday, and ongoing efforts to receive a "fogie/fogy" [longevity pay raise]. However, the bulk of the entries pertain to the author's social life and recreational activities. Among the activities and events the author describes are various dances, cocktail parties, movies, and trips to Philadelphia. The author also frequently discusses socializing with women from nearby Georgian Court College and his experiences with his 1936 Plymouth.
Arrangement
Organized into the following files:
- Blimp Training Diary, April 5 - April 19, 1946
- Blimp Training Diary, April 20 - May 16, 1946
- Blimp Training Diary, May 17 - June 11, 1946
- Blimp Training Diary, July 1 - July 31, 1946
Access and Use
Access
Access is unrestricted.
Copyright and Permission
The Blimp Training Diary is the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.
Acquisition and Appraisal
Provenance and Acquisition
Purchased from Charles Apfelbaum Rare Manuscripts and Archives in December 2008. Accession No. 09-01.
Related Materials
Related Archival Material
Additional material pertaining to U.S. Navy airships is available in the William Adger Moffett Papers, MS 198 and the William Adger Moffett Collection, MS 234, Special Collections & Archives, Nimitz Library.
Materials Cataloged Separately
No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.
Processing and Other Information
Preferred Citation
Blimp Training Diary, MS 400
Special Collections & Archives Department
Nimitz Library
United States Naval Academy
Processing Information
This collection was processed by David D'Onofrio in November 2009. Finding aid written by David D'Onofrio in November 2009.
Subject Headings
Name and Subject Terms
- Airships -- United States
- Flight Training -- United States
- United States. Navy -- Aviation
- United States. Navy -- Military Life
Genre Terms
- Diaries
- Manuscripts
Contents List
Blimp Training Diary, 1946 April 5-April 19
Entries include descriptions of blimp takeoff and landing (April 8), list of ground school classes (April 9), opinion of ground school classes (April 15), use of manual toggles during flight (April 17), a training flight over Throggs Neck, New York (April 18), and a description of the Cathedral of the Air in Lakehurst (April 19).
Blimp Training Diary, 1946 April 20-May 16
Entries include descriptions of attempts to receive a "fogie" [longevity pay] (May 1), standing pressure watch (May 4), minor accident involving a K class blimp (May 6), quiz preparation (May 7), reference to the M class blimp treated as a "sacred cow" (May 9) balloon flight (May 14), socializing with Georgian Court students (May 4 and 11), and the purchase of a 1936 Plymouth (May 16).
Blimp Training Diary, 1946 May 17-June 11
Entries include descriptions of a Jessica Dragonette concert at Georgian Court (May 19), distaste of Navigation instructor's teaching methods (May 23), participation in a Memorial Day parade (May 27 and 30), "fogie" authorization (June 10), deflating a blimp (June 11 - July 1), and persistent car repairs (June 8, 9, and June 11 - July 1).
Blimp Training Diary, 1946 July 1-July 31
Entries include descriptions of inflation of blimp K-21 (July 7), an aerology film produced by Disney (July 9), navigation training flights (July 29 and 30), rejection of transfer application to the regular Navy (July 10 -25), and various car repairs.