Although the Hindy (if I may call it that) used dangerous hydrogen gas, our intrepid blimponauts here would be lifted by helium, so the guy with the pipe could puff away, I presume.

Still, with the Hindenberg disaster just the previous year, I have to guess that the non-fliers in this photo were not necessarily jitter-free. To add to their concerns, the U.S. Navy in the 1930s had a number of very serious airship accidents. One officer, Charles E. Rosendahl, survived three airship crashes.

All the navy craft were dirigibles, not blimps, and an online search will detail the advantages and disadvantages of the two types of airships.

I wonder if the crewman in the left window is standing by to dump ballast with that toggle handle? The items on the ground behind the pipe holder, photo center, appear to be ballast bags, but I think there also were hoppers with water or loose sand for ballast.

"My spirit of adventure is yooooouuuu...."

Such a great photo! And the enlarging tool reveals amazing detail.

Older matrons apparently wear silk stockings and hats. Young girl is hatless, and has on short striped "sport socks."

Woman in doorway with fur coat is obviously expecting to be chilly, once airborne.

And was the poster held up with masking tape (?) just for the photo op? Or was it expected to stay on the blimp?

Can't say I've ever noticed a woman wearing striped anklet socks with a suit like that in other photos of that vintage.

Click to enlarge.

[This is, btw, available as a Vintagraph fine art print. - Dave]