Harold commanded the first transcontinental airship flight, aboard the U.S. Army's largest blimp "C-2" from Langley Field, Virginia, to Foss Field, California, on September 14, 1922. He had the dubious honor of commanding two dirigibles that were destroyed during take-off: the same C-2 just one month later, and the TC-10-243 in 1927 (he considered that perhaps he was jinxed). The C-2 used flammable hydrogen gas, and exploded. Seven of 8 crew (including Strauss) were injured jumping from the burning ship. Shortly thereafter, the Army & Navy announced that the use of hydrogen would be abandoned as speedily as possible. The TC-10-243 used non-flammable helium, and the crew escaped injury.
Harold was known to be a very stubborn man, earning him the nickname "Maude The Mule".
Harold commanded the first transcontinental airship flight, aboard the U.S. Army's largest blimp "C-2" from Langley Field, Virginia, to Foss Field, California, on September 14, 1922. He had the dubious honor of commanding two dirigibles that were destroyed during take-off: the same C-2 just one month later, and the TC-10-243 in 1927 (he considered that perhaps he was jinxed). The C-2 used flammable hydrogen gas, and exploded. Seven of 8 crew (including Strauss) were injured jumping from the burning ship. Shortly thereafter, the Army & Navy announced that the use of hydrogen would be abandoned as speedily as possible. The TC-10-243 used non-flammable helium, and the crew escaped injury.
Harold was known to be a very stubborn man, earning him the nickname "Maude The Mule".
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