The Little World

And why we never knew the truth.

Over the years – my years – I have learned many fascinating facts about aircraft. Some of the things I have learned are true, and some are false. The reason for the truth is clear – it is truth, and needs no justification. The reason for the lies is more complex – there are cultural, political, and personal factors involved.

Let’s start with the incontrovertible. The HINDENBURG exploded at Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1937. We are certain of this due to the photos and cinema images taken at the time, plus the FAA and news coverage afterwards.

Why is speculative – there have been conspiracy theories and scientific explanations and exploitative movies enough. There is a truth that exists, and one day we may know it. I favour the discarded cigar butt, myself and note that W.C. Fields was always cagey about it ever after.

Where it gets really dodgy is when the enthusiasts, fanboys, and pedants start to debate technical issues and half-recorded facts about other aircraft of 80+ years ago. I have been reading bumpf for 70 years, and do not need fresh material. I do not need bigotry and folk-myth tricked up as truth. I do not need YouTubery or Instagrammery pressed upon me as gospel.

Actually, I do not need gospel, either…

Let me know what you have seen with your own eyes, and let me compare it with what I have seen with mine. We are both divorced in time from a great deal of truth – let us accept the court’s ruling and just get on with our lives.

Heading Image: small marsupial at Perth Airport’s tourist viewing platform. Wild, not caged. Probably not venomous.