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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.

A black-and-white photograph of a long oval aircraft in mid-air over a grassy field. The photo is taken looking at the front right of the aircraft, as if it's gliding towards the viewer. — 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

BY ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Staff

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1943 U.S. Naval Airship Service Group

An Antiques Roadshow guest in a blue and yellow Hawaiian shirt sits at an appraisal table and looks at the camera. To his right is a cork board with black-and-white photographs and documents.

A black-and-white photograph of a long oval aircraft in mid-air over a grassy field. The photo is taken looking at the front right of the aircraft, as if it's gliding towards the viewer.

A close up of writing on a yellow-lined legal pad that reads "Search...mine swoop...air sea rescue."

A black-and-white photogograph of the guest's father as a young man and a fellow sailor, both in dark slacks and white t-shirts, sitting down repairing a hole on the cement floor.

A black-and-white photo of a long oval airship flying over a tall building made of stone. The aircraft is making it's way over the building from the left of the frame.

Black-and-white photograph of an aircraft hanger. The photograph is taken in the parking lot, a good distance away. The hanger is long and rounded at the top with 3 neat rows of square windows.

Black-and-white photo of a large oval aircraft parked on the tarmac at an airport. The photo is taken from inside a hanger looking out a tall archway towards the aircraft.

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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.

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ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Staff

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