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Aircruise

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Aircruise is a concept hydrogen airship[1] envisioned as the combination of cruise ship and luxury hotel,[2] designed by the UK company Seymourpowell. Its design director is Nick Talbot. It has attracted the attention of Samsung Construction and Trading, for whom a concept video was produced.[2][3] It was later revealed that the concept was a publicity stunt by Seymourpowell, and nothing like this concept could ever work.[4]

Specifications

The Aircruise would be a solar and hydrogen fuel cell-powered airship.[5] According to its design specifications, it would be 265 m (869 ft) tall containing 330,000 m3 (12,000,000 cu ft) of air and would carry a payload of 396 t (390 long tons; 437 short tons). It was "designed" to carry about 100 passengers with a flight crew of 6, 2 of whom are flight engineers, and another 14 supporting staff to look after passengers,[6] for a total of 20 crew[7]

It would have glass floors for passengers to view the land and sea beneath.[8]

Its land speed would depend on the wind, but it would supposedly be capable of traveling at 100 to 150 km/h (62 to 93 mph),[6] in calm conditions, sufficient to travel from London to New York in 37 hours and from Los Angeles to Hong Kong[5] or Shanghai[7] in 4 days.

Its maximum altitude was 12,000 ft (3,700 m), and it was "specified" that it could fly at an altitude of about 300 feet for sightseeing.[7]

Critical response

The Aircruise concept received generally favourable criticism, much to the embarrassment of reporters when the hoax was revealed. For example, The Daily Telegraph stated that it could herald a new era of luxury travel.[9] Coverage in The Scotsman welcomed it as attractive for its environmental friendliness.[10]

Eco friend

Ordinary cruise ships release 3 times as much greenhouse gas as a Boeing 747 per passenger and 36 times as much as the Eurostar.[2] The Aircruise was thus claimed to be an eco friendly alternative, with its zero emission design.[2][5]

Media Stunt

Concerns were soon expressed regarding the use of hydrogen as lifting gas, which prompted references to the Hindenburg disaster (which is hardly the most impractical part of the design). The design also has extremely bad aerodynamics and would be prohibitively inefficient at high airspeeds.[11][12] It was soon revealed that the announcement was little more than a self-promoting stunt by Seymourpowell.[11][12]

References

  1. ^ Aircruise – A sustainable way to travel in utmost luxury
  2. ^ a b c d Seymourpowell unveils eco-friendly Aircruise design
  3. ^ Seymourpowell introduces the Aircruise - a clipper in the clouds
  4. ^ [1]
  5. ^ a b c The Aircruise: A Sustainable and Luxurious Way to Travel
  6. ^ a b News Australia
  7. ^ a b c Flying to New York? Then why not go by luxury airship (but it will take you 37 hours)
  8. ^ Aircruise From London To New York In 37hrs (In Concept-Land Only)
  9. ^ Aircruise: giant hydrogen airships could herald a new era in luxury travel
  10. ^ 'Slow is the new fast' say the designers of cutting edge airship
  11. ^ a b Hydrogen Airship Nonsense
  12. ^ a b Aircruise airship: A whole lot of hot air | The Wanderer
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