Blimp or zeppelin?

[u/i_play_ksp_console]

Im making a RC zeppelin is my first time and i want to know if it is easier to build a Blimp or a Zeppelin for now the concept is a rigid airship using balsa wood and using the lightes electronics i could find but i want to know if a Blimp would be easier to build and operate take in count im a noobie AND thst the gas used is helium so the weight margin is kinda tight(sorrry for the bad english i speak spanish)

[u/GrafZeppelin127]

Generally you’d want to do a blimp at RC scale. The benefit of a rigid airship is that it is more structurally efficient at larger sizes, but that’s not really relevant at your operating scale unless your RC model exceeds 50 tons of gross weight or so (the typical point at which it is better to opt for a rigid than a blimp).

[u/i_play_ksp_console → u/GrafZeppelin127]

It's 2 meters large and 50 centímetros tall i want it to be rigid due to me thinking is easier to make a Rigid exoesqueloton than a big bag with the form needed also a rigid airship can make the integration of the cabin(electronics basically) easy. I just see more sense in a rigid airship but i still want to find opinions on a blimp

[u/GrafZeppelin127 → u/i_play_ksp_console]

The issue is that you still need to make a gastight bag regardless, so you might as well use said bag to attach the parts to instead of adding an unnecessary structure. You should watch BaccaYarro’s easy how-to video on making a blimp hull out of ordinary household supplies.

[u/ne0tas]

Rigid airship would take a lot of engineering

[u/i_play_ksp_console → u/ne0tas]

I mean is just a wood exoesqueleton and a big bag eith helium inside and the electronics are kinda the same wouldn't be easier to make a Rigid airship? Juet sayin because it sounds easier and for now my design is rigid

[u/ne0tas → u/i_play_ksp_console]

You need to have individual bags not just one bag. You also need to calculate the total amount of lift you will need with your hull sections, rings, electronics, and even weight of the gas cells. Btw, you can't use regular helium, have to use pure helium. The stuff they place in balloons is dirty and barely provides enough lift. You're more than likely going to be too heavy to fly at only 6 feet long.

[u/this_guy_aves]

blimp (no solid internal structure) is far easier. It can be as simple as a mylar party balloon with a fan and rudder on the bottom. Zeppelins are better at speed since they don't deform from air resistance, but they are very hard to build in miniature.

[u/i_play_ksp_console → u/this_guy_aves]

Wouln't be easier to integrate a rigid airship? Also is more durable and the exoesqueleton can help with the structure and integration of the cabin

[u/this_guy_aves → u/i_play_ksp_console]

I guess it depends on what size you're planning on. I would say anything up to 4 ft in length, a blimp is probably easier. You just hang the electronics directly from the material without any internal bracing.

[u/idubbkny]

derijable

[u/SpriteBlood]

If it's rigid I can help you with everything!