Yes, there are distinctions between blimps, airships, and dirigibles. A blimp is a type of airship that does not have a rigid internal structure; it relies on the pressure of the lifting gas to maintain its shape. In contrast, a dirigible is a broader term that typically refers to airships with a rigid framework, allowing for greater control and stability. Essentially, all blimps are airships, but not all airships are blimps, and dirigibles are a specific category of airship.
Today's blimps are not filled with flammable hydrogen gas like Hindenburg was, but normally the non-flammable helium.
Airships are usually the shape of a oval. They look like blimps. Airships are usually filled with helium to keep them afloat.
blimps are oval shaped
Blimps are non-rigid airships with an envelope that maintains their shape, while dirigibles are semi-rigid or rigid airships with a structure inside the envelope to maintain their shape. Dirigibles are typically larger and have more internal structure for support and control.
There are some companies which produce remote controlled blimps. West Coast Blimps & Electronics, Yoshioka Model Factory, DraganFly Innovations Inc., and Model Airships and Blimps produce remote controlled blimps
Blimps are non-rigid airships. Their shape is determined by the design of the envelope (inflatable bag). Most common airships are shaped like a cigar.
Blimps, or airships, were primarily manufactured in various countries, including the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Notable production sites included Goodyear in the U.S., which built many commercial and military airships, and the Zeppelin factories in Germany, known for their iconic designs. In addition, smaller manufacturers and enthusiasts have produced blimps in different regions around the world.
Airships and modern-day blimps are both types of lighter-than-air vehicles that utilize buoyant gases, such as helium or hydrogen, to achieve lift. They are characterized by large gas-filled envelopes and can be steered and controlled in flight. Both serve similar purposes, including advertising, surveillance, and recreational activities, and they share a common design principle that relies on their ability to float in the atmosphere. However, modern blimps are typically non-rigid airships, meaning they do not have an internal framework, while some airships may be rigid or semi-rigid.
As soon as aircraft (and that includes airships and blimps) were capable of carrying bombs. There were many air raids in WWI.
Size and type of gas contained in the envelope.
Airships are also, and more commonly, known as zeppelins. The term airship is also used to refer to an airplane, but this usage is incorrect, as they have two different meanings. Airships might also be called blimps or dirigibles.
In their early history, buoyant airships (zepellins, blimps) were filled with hydrogen, a highly flammable gas. Since the Hindenburg disaster, hydrogen has been supplanted by helium, a much more expensive material, but one that is inert and hence much safer.