His Majesty’s Airship: The Life and Tragic Death of the World’s Largest Flying Machine

Nicholas Boulton deftly narrates award-winning historian Gwynne’s (Hymns of the Republic) treatise on the rise and end of Great Britain’s rigid-airship program. Seven years before the high-profile crash of the Hindenburg in New Jersey, the British rigid airship R101 crashed in France during its 1930 maiden voyage. More people were killed in this crash than in the Hindenburg, making it a factor that stopped the further development of airships in Great Britain. Opening with period music setting the production’s tone, Boulton relates the history of rigid-aircraft development by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, including information about the explosive danger of static electricity, lessons learned from previous failures, and hopes for their future. Also included is a memorable cast of characters who were part of the rivalry between the UK and Germany as both countries raced to develop airship programs. Boulton adds a flair for drama in his delivery of nuanced quotations from heavy-drinking commander Herbert “Lucky Breeze” Scott, lovestruck Lord Christopher Thomson, and Thomson’s paramour, a French Romanian princess. He is particularly dramatic and passionate when detailing the disastrous flight, contrasting with his clinical evaluation of lessons learned.