Cardington Collection

R 101 Airship
circa 1929: A broadside view of the Airship R101, at its mooring mast at Cardington, Bedford. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Airship R101 G-FaW moored outside the hangars
Airship R101, G-FaW, moored outside the hangars at Cardington while onlookers view from the road and the top deck of a bus

Airship Guarantee Co. R-100
R-100 Airship Flying Close to the Docking Tower at Cardington, Bedfordshire Date: 1930

Airship R101 at Cardington

R101 airship on mooring mast
The R101 airship attached to a mooring mast, Cardington RAF Base. Date: circa 1930

R101
4th October 1930: R101 at its moorings in Cardington, Bedfordshire prior to its departure for India. It crashed en-route. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

Airship R38 built for the US Navy at Cardington and renamed ZR2. Completed in 1921. It crashed over the Humber in August 1921 while on a test flight with a mixed British and American crew. Date: 1921

R-101 Airship in a hangar at Cardington, Bedfordshire
1929: The R101 airship in a hangar at Cardington in Bedfordshire. The R101 was 221 m (724 ft) long and had a gas capacity of 140 million litres (5 million cu ft)

R101 Airship
2nd October 1929: An R101 Airship in its hangar at Cardington, Bedfordshire. (Photo by Puttnam /Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

RAF Balloon Barrage at Cardington
Royal Air Force Balloon Barrage at Cardington, Bedfordshire (note the distinctive airship hangars back right - still there today)

Airship R101 G-FaW moored alongside the hangars
Airship R101, G-FaW, moored alongside the hangars at Cardington

R101 at Cardington - 1
The R.101 at its mooring mast at Cardington

Airship R101 leaving the mooring mast at Cardington on the day of its departure to India. 4 October 1930. Date: 1930

Airship R101 at its mooring mast at Cardington

Royal Airship Works R-101
R-101 Airship Parked Tethered to a Docking Tower by Airport Buildings and Cars at Cardington, Bedfordshire Date: 1929

R-101 Mooring
17th October 1929: An R101 airship on the mooring mast at Cardington, Bedford. (Photo by Puttnam /Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

R101 at Cardington - 2
The huge R.101 at its mooring mast at Cardington

Giant Airship Hangars at Cardington, Bedfordshire with t?
Giant Airship Hangars at Cardington, Bedfordshire with the RAF Black Arrows Aerobatic Formation Display Team Flypast Trailing Smoke Overhead Date: 1960s

UK, England, Bedfordshire, Shortstown, Cardington Airfield, previously RAF Cardington, Royal Airship Works, former Airship Sheds

Barrage balloons protecting RAF station, Cardington, Beds
Barrage balloons protecting RAF station, Cardington, Bedfordshire Date: 1938

The great British R 100 arrived at Cardington after return flight from Montreal, in 78 hours. The damaged fin in a thunderstorm over the St

The Residence of John Howard at Cardington, Bedfordshire (engraving)
7179138 The Residence of John Howard at Cardington, Bedfordshire (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Residence of John Howard at Cardington)

Airship Bournemouth. Maiden flight at RAF Cardington
Airship Bournemouth. Maiden flight at RAF Balloon Centre, Cardington. Built for Festival of Britian, for the Airship Club under the direction of Lord Vantry - being the first built in Britain since

R101 as the air ministers office, 1929
R101 as the air ministers office: the second flight of Britains giant airship. Meteorological offices at Cardington; air minister Lord Thomson about to ascend the mooring mast of the R101 by

Shropshire SY6 7 Map
Postcode Sector Map of Shropshire SY6 7

Bedford MK44 3 Map
Postcode Sector Map of Bedford MK44 3

Barrage-Balloons Flying over Cardington, UK During the B?
Barrage-Balloons Flying over Cardington, UK During the Battle-Of-Britain Date: 1940

Goodyear Aerospace GZ-20A Airship
Goodyear Airship Parked Tethered to its Docking Tower by the Airship Hangars at Cardington, Bedfordshire Date: 1970s

Poised in the Vast Hall of Her Birthplace, Ready To Take Wing, c1935. R 101 airship in her hanger. Royal Airship Works, Cardington, Bedfordshire. From Our Wonderful World, Volume IV, edited by J.A

Floating at the Mast Head, A Mighty Envelope of Invisible Power, c1935. R 101 airship at its mooring. Royal Airship Works, Cardington, Bedfordshire

Two vignettes relating to the 18th century philanthopist and prison reformer John Howard, 1836. The upper one shows Howards birthplace in Clapton, Hackney

British rigid airship R101 riding at her mooring mast at Cardington, Bedfordshire, c1929 (c1937). The R101 was one of a pair of British rigid airships completed in 1929 as part of a government

A letter by John Howard, and a view of his residence at Cardington, mid-late 18th century, (1840). Artist: John Howard
Part of a letter by John Howard, and a view of his residence at Cardington, mid-late 18th century, (1840). View of the philanthropist and prison reformers birthplace at Clapton, Middlesex

Cardington Airship & Balloon Base in Bedfordshire, (interior of hangar/shed)

Howards Birthplace Etc
The prison reformer JOHN HOWARDs birthplace at Clapton and the house wherein he resided at Cardington, in Bedfordshire. Date: 1726

Dirigible Duo
26th April 1930: The Graf Zeppelin under Dr Eckener arrives at Cardington airfield, Bedfordshire, where another ship, the R100 is already moored

R33 Returns
April 1925: A landing party follow the airship R33 into its hangar at Pulham, Norfolk after a successful flight from Cardington in Bedford

R-101 Mooring
17th October 1929: R101 airship on the mooring mast at Cardington, Bedford. (Photo by Puttnam /Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)

R 101 Moored
October 1929: Airship R101 moored to a control tower at Cardington. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images)

Cardington mooring mast

Airship R101 at alongside its mooring mast at Cardington

R101 at Cardington - 3
The 223-metre long R.101 on the ground at Cardington : a great many men are required to hold it down to earth. Date: 1929

A Pair of Barrage Balloons
A Pair of RAF Barrage Balloons at Cardington, Bedfordshire

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Cardington, a historic site nestled in Bedfordshire, holds an illustrious aviation legacy that spans across the ages. From the majestic R 101 Airship to the remarkable Airship Guarantee Co. R-100, this place has witnessed groundbreaking feats of engineering and exploration. One cannot help but be captivated by the sight of the colossal R101 airship moored outside its hangars, standing tall as a testament to human ingenuity, and is awe-inspiring to imagine the sheer scale and grandeur of this magnificent creation, holding up Cardington with pride. The R101 Airship itself is a marvel that defied gravity and pushed boundaries. Its presence on the mooring mast at Cardington evokes a sense of wonder and admiration for those who dared to dream big and reach for the skies. Within these very hangars at Cardington, history was made as countless innovations took flight. The R-101 Airship found solace within their walls, serving as both a symbol of progress and an embodiment of human ambition. Not limited to just one masterpiece, it also played host to other notable creations such as the Airship R38 built for the US Navy. This further solidifies its reputation as a hub for pioneering advancements in aviation technology. Beyond airships alone, Cardington's significance extended even into military operations with RAF Balloon Barrage stationed here during critical times. These balloons served not only as defensive measures but also showcased how this location continually adapted to meet evolving needs. Today, when you visit Cardington in Bedfordshire, you are transported back in time; surrounded by echoes of innovation that once filled these hallowed grounds. The memories linger amidst remnants from past eras – reminding us all of humanity's unyielding spirit when faced with challenges seemingly insurmountable. Cardington remains an enduring symbol - where dreams took shape against all odds; where aspirations soared high above clouds.