White Dwarf (dirigible) explained

The White Dwarf is a human-powered dirigible built in 1984 that set several world records.

Development

The White Dwarf was commissioned and funded by comedian Gallagher, whose interest in airships was sparked by a radio-controlled flying watermelon prop he used in his stage act.^[1] It was constructed by Bill Watson, who was part of the team that built the Gossamer Albatross human-powered craft.^[2]

Design

The dirigible features a teardrop-shaped lift bag. The aluminum fuselage is a truss design with a single pilot seat on top with a chain-driven pusher propeller, 64 inches in length, positioned in front of a rudder. It weighs 1500NaN0.^[3]

Operational history

The White Dwarf set several world records with pilot (and engine) Bryan Allen. It was flown a distance of 58.080NaN0 in 8 hours and 50 minutes.^[4]

Further reading

• Clément-Bayard No.1

External links

• YouTube Video of White Dwarf

Notes and References

1. Web site: Comic has gas of time pedaling White Dwarf . September 28, 1984 . Bill . Cardoso . UPI.
2. Web site: Radio-Controlled Blimp Uses Stealth Technology at 28 M.P.H.. John. Medearis. February 27, 1990. Los Angeles Times.
3. http://home.teleport.com/~reedg/whitedwarf.html
4. Air and Space Magazine. Who Is Bryan Allen?. Sugar, James . Stephan Wilkinson . amp . June 1986. 53.