Called a gondola, this airship passenger compartment was on the legendary "ghost ship" blimp when it came to rest in Daly City, California, in August, 1942 after its military occupants were lost during a routine patrol over San Francisco Bay. The ship returned to land a few hours after takeoff, empty. What actually happened to the pilot and co-pilot has never been conclusively answered. Goodyear donated the gondola to the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Florida. It is currently being restored and will soon be on display.
From 1969 to 1982 it was used on Goodyear's Airship America in Texas. Here, Goodyear airship pilot Pat Henry examines the "ghost ship's" gondola control cables. Henry was a U.S. Navy blimp pilot and knew the lost crew members.