The Patrol Airship Concept Evaluation (PACE) Trials in 1983 were conducted at the former Weeksville Naval Air Station (NAS) NC, undertaken by Airship Industries Ltd.
Airdock #1 (1,058′ {322.5 m} long, S side of base, 300′ {91.4 m} wide, 200′ {61.0 m} high, with 2 massive clamshell doors at both ends of the hangar) of steel construction.
Airdock #2 (900′ {274.3 m} long, NW side of base) of wooden construction.
NAS Weeksville was closed as a military base and sold to private interests in 1957.
In cooperation with
TCOM,
Airship Industries (AI) later used Airdock #2 for assembly of airships and pursued commercial operations from there.
The PACE trials were undertaken using the SKS500-03 airship developed by Airship Industries with modifications largely under design and engineering guidance by Luffships Limited’s (LSL’s) CEO.
PACE Trials
The following photographs are from his personal archives, arranged to depict the trials.
Airdock #1 from the North East sideAirdock #1 looking roughly South at the North end clamshell doorsAirdock #1 from the North West sideAirdock #2 looking roughly West with its North side visibleInside Airdock #2 looking East towards AI’s SKS500-03Airdock #2 again a little closerInside Airdock #2 looking from the North side Westward towards TCOM’s aerostatsInside Airdock #2 looking from the South side Westward towards TCOM’s aerostatsInside Airdock #2 watching the Searider boat on its pallet being moved with a forklift vehicleInside Airdock #2 looking North on AI’s SKS500-03 broadsideInside Airdock #2 looking at a modified Avon Searider boatInside Airdock #2 looking closer at AI’s SKS500-03 gondolaThe Searider boat on its pallet being moved by ground crew with Airdock #2 visible behindLooking roughly West on the SKS500-03’s starboard side with Airdock #2 visible leftLooking roughly South on the SKS500-03’s port side with Airdock #2 visible rightLooking roughly South on the SKS500-03’s nose with Airdock #1 visible leftPort lower Gondola side view with legs, undercarriage & the rear winch line (between) visibleThe Searider boat on its pallet being moved by ground crew with Airdock #1 and the airship’s mobile mast vehicle visible behindInside the SKS500-03’s Gondola looking aft / down towards a rear winch and removable floor panelInside the SKS500-03’s Gondola looking aft / down again with the floor panel removed and the winch operator (Tony Patison) seated starboard, looking through the floor aperture after operating the winchView looking forward and down into the Searider showing its control handset and the winchline release handle (starboard side) both mounted from a central moulded structural memberView looking aft on the Gondola showing the Searider boat being moved by ground crew below itView on the Gondola’s port side with the ground crew lifting it and the Searider boat being positioned below. It should be noted that it’s easy to lift an airship when it’s ballasted near EQ.Close up view from the port side between the Gondola and Searider showing the rear winch being connectedInside the SKS500-03’s Gondola looking at the Searider’s forward winchSimilar view, but looking aft at the forward winch line attachmentAnother general view into the Searider showing the central member added, before winching upInside the SKS500-03’s Gondola looking at the Searider’s rear stanchion after winch upFinal checks of the Searider installation with the mast crewman prior to airship unmastingView on the port side towards the open doorway with another (third) winch aboveView looking aft on the Gondola showing the Searider boat installed below with Coastguard observers behind (starboard side)View on the Gondola’s starboard side showing the Searider installed tight against its baseOff we go looking down at the mast as the airship climbsThe crewman atop the mast releasing the airship for launchGround crew holding the airships nose lines prior to airship launchReady to launch after being moved away from the mastInside the Gondola looking aft with the winch operator ready to lower the SeariderA view of Airdock #1 from the air looking roughly SouthAnother view of Airdock #1 from the air looking roughly South as we head North over the Pasquotank riverAn aerial view of Airdock #2 as we pass byClimbing away for return, leaving the Searider for the Coastguard to recover – who were observersWatching the Searider through the Gondola floor aperture being loweredWatching the Searider’s descent below from the Gondola’s window – open for the purposeSeeing the Searider on the water below after its release – via winch line cuttersArriving back from a successful first such boat deployment trial (for AI) after many years of inactivity concerning airships worldwide – probably since the 1940s/50sCrew powwow about the trial (No 1) with the SeariderPreparing the Searider for another trial (No 2)View on the SKS500-03’s port side with the Searider and ground-crew preparing for airship launchFocusing in on the winch above the doorwayLaunch again showing Airdock #1 behindMoving into position over the SeariderLooking back from the airship over the Pasquotank with NAS Weeksville South in the backgroundSeeing the Coastguard waiting for actionThe Searider arriving for the show to beginThe volunteer (Mick Paton) for the rescue trial being winched upThe winch operator checking on the Searider crew belowLowering the winch line with a rescue strop attachedCrew in the Searider collecting the stropHappy days – arriving back from another successful trialLooking hopefulHi mate – get me in quick cos I’m fed up hanging aroundHappy days – arriving back from another successful trial
Post PACE Trials
Regrettably, while undertaking airship development for the US Navy in collaboration with Westinghouse, AI closed in 1990.
Airdock #2 also was raised to the ground by fire in 1995 with all assets kept within lost.
Airdock #1 thankfully remains and is still used (by TCOM).
Roger Munk was the inspiration for AI’s Skyship (SKS) airships, of which there were numerous built and operated internationally around the world.
Sadly, he passed away in 2010 at the age of 62.
The PACE trials in 1983 are testimony to his achievements, essentially proving that airships have roles to play in today’s society;
particularly as Patrol Aircraft with capability for serious purposes.
Even so, one may ask, “Why did we bother?”, because few in the 21st century have since fulfilled this role.
However, 1000s of refugees fleeing terrible circumstances drowned unnecessarily in the Mediterranean Sea and the English Channel
from lack of care to provide enduring aerial overwatch duties urgently needed!
If there was support for airships then circumstances could change.
LSL has the capability for them, so let’s make them possible!
