By: 1812Blockhouse Staff
Since 1925, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company has been showcasing its brand with a series of lighter than air craft. Until 2014, this was accomplished through a blimp, which is a non-rigid airship; the company now uses three semi-rigid dirigibles, but calls them “blimps” out of a sense of tradition.
On Thursday, Mansfielders and many Richland Countians will get to see Goodyear’s “Wingfoot Three,” which measures 246.4 feet in length and 64.79 in height. The airship will be here as part of a flyover honoring frontline COVID-19 first responders — in our case, saluting the staff at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
As can be seen in the graphic below, the scheduled visit is between 11:05 AM and 11:15 AM on Thursday, weather permitting. Coming from the east, it is likely to follow the general course of US30, and after visiting Mansfield, it will head up I71 for a flyover of University Hospital — Ashland.
As noted, residents are asked to observe from their own residences instead of traveling to secure a better vantage point.
Here are some additional statistics for you about Wingfoot Three:
- Weight — 19,780 pounds (as much as 25,700 cans of soup)
- Maximum speed — 73 miles per hour
- Volume — 297,527 cubic feet (could hold 14 million large coffees)
- Gondola seating capacity — 14
- Engines — 3, each with 200 horsepower
- Noise Level Inside and Outside of Gondola — 64/69.43 decibels (as quiet inside as most passenger cars at highway speeds)
With Wingfoot Three's arrival, it's our chance to say #thankyou to the essential personnel & healthcare workers. Beginning Monday, 6/15, we will be flying over Northeast Ohio to say "Thank You!" @ClevelandClinic @AkronChildren @SummaHealth @metrohealthCLE @UHhospitals pic.twitter.com/CyXQMob2Xl
— Goodyear Blimp (@GoodyearBlimp) June 12, 2020
Sources: Wikipedia, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company; Image by Scottslm from Pixabay
