Airship R.38/ZR-2 lost in the Humber Estuary, August 1921: significance, engagement, and survival

Airship R.38 was on its fourth trial flight before being fully handed over to the US Navy as ZR-2 when it crashed into the Humber just off the waterfront of Hull in August 1921. This project aimed to recognise and elaborate the significance of the R.38/ZR-2 in time for the centenary of the crash in August 2021. The significance of R.38/ZR-2 is framed by its build, use and loss: the crash embodies the history of airship development to that time, but also encapsulates the future of airships and aspects of aeroplane development also. The continued curation of stories and items showed that the profound impact of the crash still clearly resonates down the generations. The project also brought a fresh focus to the crash site of R.38/ZR-2 as a heritage asset: bathymetric data indicate that material from the airship could still be present within the bed of the Humber.

Automated summary

The project aims to recognize and elaborate on the significance of the airship R.38/ZR-2, highlighting its importance in the development of airships and airplanes. The project also emphasizes the importance of the crash site as a heritage asset, suggesting that remnants of the airship may still be present.