The PACE Trials in 1983 were conducted at the former Weeksville Naval Air Station (NAS) NC, undertaken by Airship Industries Ltd.
As shown in the above photo and with following brief information from: http://www.airfields-freeman.com/NC/Airfields_NC_NE.htm#weeksville, the Weeksville NAS facility comprised 2 large airship hangars:
- 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 (www.tcomlp.com), 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 Ltd’s director Charles Luffman.
The following photographs are from his personal archives, arranged to depict the trials.
Airship matters since the 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 this century 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.
Luffships Ltd has the technology and capability for them, so let’s make them possible!
