White Dwarf (dirigible)

The White Dwarf is a human-powered dirigible built in 1984 that set several world records.

White Dwarf
Role Human powered dirigible
National origin United States
Designer Watson, Allen

Development

The White Dwarf was commissioned and funded by comedian Gallagher, whose interest in airships was sparked by a radio-controlled flying watermelon prop he used in his stage act.[1] It was constructed by Bill Watson, who was part of the team that built the Gossamer Albatross human-powered craft.[2]

Design

The dirigible features a teardrop-shaped lift bag. The aluminum fuselage is a truss design with a single pilot seat on top with a chain-driven pusher propeller, 64 inches in length, positioned in front of a rudder. It weighs 150 lb (68 kg).[3][1]

Operational history

The White Dwarf set several world records with pilot (and engine) Bryan Allen. It was flown a distance of 58.08 mi (93 km) in 8 hours and 50 minutes.[4]

Specifications (White Dwarf)

Data from Air & Space

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 45 ft (14 m)
  • Powerplant: 1 × Bryan Allen Human, .5 hp (0.37 kW)
  • Propellers: 2-bladed

Performance

  • g limits: 5 g

References
  1. "Comic has gas of time pedaling White Dwarf - UPI Archives". UPI.
  2. Medearis, John (February 27, 1990). "Radio-Controlled Blimp Uses Stealth Technology at 28 M.P.H." Los Angeles Times.
  3. Archived May 25, 2015, at the Wayback Machine The White Dwarf Flies Again
  4. Sugar, James & Stephan Wilkinson (June 1986). "Who Is Bryan Allen?". Air and Space Magazine: 53.

Further reading
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