A Closer Look at the 1943 U.S. Naval Airship Service Group
See more high-flying photos from Gary Piattoni’s appraisal of a 1943 U.S. Naval airship service group in Vintage Raleigh 2025, Hour 1.

U.S. Navy airship: These "lighter than air" aircraft, known as non-rigid airships or blimps, stayed aloft using balloons, called envelopes, filled with gas. They have no structural frame, which differentiates them from rigid airships like the Hindenburg. At a whopping 252 feet long, they could carry up to 12 crew members. Appraiser Gary M. Piattoni explained that airships like the one Frank's father flew on were integral to minesweeping, rescue, scouting, and photography efforts during World War II.
Sep 29, 2025
1943 U.S. Naval Airship Service Group
Guest with items from his father's service: At the Raleigh ROADSHOW in June 2009, a guest named Frank brought in an impressive group of items from his father's service on U.S. Navy non-rigid airships during World War II, including his father's dog tags, flight log, and Navy press photographs.