An impression by the ND Phot photographer inside the hangar where the Ville de Paris is readied for its first flight. The gas-filled envelope of the dirigible is high against the ceiling of the hangar.
The crew is working on the complex connection of the nacelle with all the lines (ropes) hanging from the balloon envelope. After the connection the nacelle will have to be adjusted to hang clearly straight.
Mark the high staircases standing around the balloon
Tags: Henri Kapferer Henry Deutsch Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe ND Phot Sartrouville Ville de Paris dirigeable dirigible Édouard Surcouf
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No.2 of the ND Phot series of cards documentating the coming out, test, flight and return of the dirigible La ville de Paris financed by Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe and designed by lighter-than-air pioneer Edouard Surcouf.
The cards / photographs document the first take off and flight at Sartrouville which took place on 9 August 1907.
No.2 card gives the first glimpse of the coming out of the La Ville de Paris from the hangar at Sartrouville.
The ND Phot logo was of the card publishing firm of the brothers Etienne (1832-1918) and Antonin (1845-1914) Neurdin. It is estimated that they publsihed in their time ca. 60.000 cards containing all sorts of subjects, including aviation related subjects.
Tags: 1907 Henri Kapferer Henry Deutsch Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe ND Phot Sartrouville Ville de Paris dirigeable dirigible Édouard Surcouf
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No.3 of the ND Phot series of cards depicting the La Ville de Paris dirigible of millionaire Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe.
The coming out of the hangar at Sartrouville.
Tags: Henri Kapferer Henry Deutsch Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe ND Phot Sartrouville Ville de Paris dirigeable dirigible Édouard Surcouf
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The dirigible La Ville de Paris just after the roll out of the hangar at Sartrouville. The nacelle was constructed with reinforced beams ('poutres'in French. The nacelle has two compartments which hold the engine and technician(s) and the captain / driver of the dirigible, the sceond holds the passengers.
Seen from behind the double rudder of big dimensions is visible. The propeller is right in front of the dirigible nacelle. Driving the propeller from the engine which was several behind in the first compartment of the nacelle, was done by a long shaft.
Remark the many wires which connect the dirigible envelope to the nacelle underneath.
Tags: Henri Kapferer Henry Deutsch Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe ND Phot Sartrouville Ville de Paris dirigeable dirigible Édouard Surcouf
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Another ND Phot photo in the series devoted to the roll out of the dirigible La Ville de Paris at Sartrouville in 1907.
This picture zooms in on the important tail unit of the machine, intended to make it a dirigible - a balloon that could navigate its own route.
Visible is the enormous double rudder, which is a cloth and tube construction. Before the rudder is also a double wing elevator. It is not clear in this picture how these moveable items are moved from the navigation part of the nacelle. In these pre-hydraulic times everything is moved by human-power, probably by activating wires.
There is a full crowd on the hill at the back to look at the proceedings, The whole scene with the big dirigible - the biggest bone in France at that time - must have been a new and stunning sight.
Tags: Henri Kapferer Henry Deutsch Henry Deutsch de la Meurthe ND Phot Sartrouville Ville de Paris dirigeable dirigible Édouard Surcouf
© All Rights Reserved