LT-118
The LT-118 is currently the largest airship in service in Leninia-Trotskya. It was designed by Mina Serlas of the Leninia-Trotskya Air and Sea Ministry, and was built in 2005.
Contents
Specifications
- Crew: 42
- Length: 360 metres
- Diameter: 53 metres
- Capacity: 160 passengers
- Helium capacity: 217,000 cubic metres
- Engines: 6 Felix-Sakhin diesel engines
History
The idea to switch from conventional aircraft to airships came in the nineties, when the case was put forward that it would consume much less fuel to operate lighter-than-air craft. The LT-118 was designed by Mina Serlas, a respected aeronautical engineer working for the government, shortly after this descision. The idea was to create an airship that was large enough to supply sizeable military forces operating in places where ship transport was impossible. The plans were completed in early 2002, and work began soon after.
Construction
The airship was constructed at the Leninia-Trotskya Dirigible Service Yards in New Magnitogorsk. It was originally planned to take just over one year to construct. The final cost was far above what was expected, and the plans to create two sister ships (LT-119 and LT-120) were scrapped.
Military Service
The LT-118 conducted military service trials in 2005. It performed well, but the military was not convinced that enough could be constructed to be truly useful. It served as a troop carrier for several months until the military handed it over to the Leninia-Trotskya Dirigible Service in 2006.
Civillian Service
The LT-118 currently operates on the transatlantic Soviet City to Kingsbridge route. It is scheduled for decommissioning in 2055.
