The Howden Detachment

The American government had been so impressed by the British built R34 airship's flight across the Atlantic and back in 1919 that they decided to buy a British airship for the United States Navy.

In 1920 the American Navy sent over a party of officers and other ranks (named the Howden Detachment) to the Royal Naval Air Station at Howden.  The purpose of this detachment was for the Americans to gain flying training and familiarization on British airships, in readiness for them to collect and fly back to the "States" the R38 airship (to be renamed the ZR2 by the Americans).

R38/ZR2 in flight.

Model of the ZR2

In his book, "ICARUS over the Humber Mr." T. W. Jamison details the history of the R38 from its build to its tragic last flight from R.N.A.S. Howden that ended in the airship breaking up crashing in flames into the River Humber, just off Hull’s Victoria Pier. 

The R38 was on its 4th trial flight, that was to have been a combined, final trial and official U.S.N. acceptance flight. A total of 44 men, British and Americans, lost their lives out of the crew of 49.

There is a memorial plaque in Elloughton Church in memory of the Americans who perished in the crash.

The Americans had contemplated buying the smaller, highly efficient R80, which they had been loaned for training, but decided instead to go for the longer duration offered by the R38. 

 The R38/ZR2 was fitted with ' Guardian Angel' type parachutes for all the crewmembers, the parachutes, positioned at the crew's flight stations. If needed the parachute would be attached to a harness suit. The suits were made by the newly formed Royal Air Force, and were, heavy, cumbersome and uncomfortable. It was however possible for the crews to purchase their own improved suit, called a Para suit, made privately by the firm, Robinson and Cleaver Ltd. for the sum of £7. 25 shillings. Unfortunately the parachutes were of little use to the majority of the R38/ZR2 crew. Some who jumped fell into blazing petrol.

There was a report in the American press, that R38/ZR2's mascot, a kitten named 'Goldflake' had its own personal parachute! This was quite possible as 'Brainy' Dobbs (see the RNAS page) had used both his dog and a few dead rabbits as research assistants in his parachute experiments.  

With the end of the war, and the R38/ZR2 disaster, the Airship Guarantee Company based at Howden put production of airships on hold with many of the skilled work force departing to factories producing fixed wing aircraft. The station at Howden was the last airship station to close in 1921. 

The station re-opened in 1923 when Vickers Ltd, under the name ‘The Airship Guarantee Company’ re-commissioned the station for the construction of the R100.

Personnel from the detachment in Howden in happier times

Below are photographs of the funeral procession through the streets of Hull