She was to have been the crown jewel of British aviation, the first of a fleet of commercial airships connecting the far-flung reaches of the British Empire and the largest airship built to date. However, through a combination of inadequate technology, overambitious requirements, political pressure, impatience, and bad weather, the first flight of the R 101 to India would end in tragedy and forever doom the British airship program.

Part of the History Channel's 'Great Blunders in History' series (1998). I do not claim any copyright over any of the material and am only uploading it for preservation and educational purposes.

If you are interested in a more accurate and detailed look at the R 101 airship, I must strongly recommend Bill Hammack's book and Youtube channel, especially this video:    • Britain's Giant Airship: R.101  .