Looking at what happened to every Zeppelin that Ferdinand von Zeppelin built you start to get a good picture on why it’s maybe not the best idea. I got to hand it to him though, dudes got dedication.

LZ1: damaged during initial flight, repaired and flown two more times before investors backed out causing the ship to be sold for scrap.

LZ2: suffered double engine failure and crashed into a mountain. While anchored to the mountain awaiting repairs a storm destroyed it beyond repair.

LZ3: built from salvaged parts of LZ2. Severally damaged in storm. After LZ4’s destruction LZ3 was repaired and was accepted by the German military who eventually scrapped it.

LZ4: suffered from chronic engine failure. While repairing the engines a gust of wind blew the ship free of its mooring and struck a tree causing the ship to ignite and burn to the ground.

LZ5: destroyed in a storm.

LZ6: destroyed in its hanger by fire.

LZ7: destroyed after crashing in a thunderstorm.

LZ8: destroyed by wind.

LZ9: this one actually worked and survived for three years before being decommissioned.

LZ10: caught on fire and destroyed after a gust of wind blew its mooring line into itself.

LZ11: destroyed while attempting to move the ship into it’s hanger

LZ12 & LZ13: both flew successful careers before being decommissioned a few years later.

LZ14: destroyed in a thunderstorm.

LZ15: destroyed during an emergency landing.

LZ16: was stolen by the French.

LZ17: decommissioned after the war.

LZ18: exploded during its test flight.

LZ19: damaged beyond repair during an emergency landing.

LZ129: the Hindenburg.

LZ127: retired and scrapped after flying over a million miles.

LZ130: flew 30 flights before being dismantled for parts to aid in the war effort.