Rigid airship

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A rigid airship is a type of airship that uses an internal framework, usually made of metal, to retain its shape when in flight.

On rigid airships, the fabric is non-structural. It is used as a covering to protect the framework and other internal components. It is also used to retain the lifting gas. The gas is typically contained in numerous gas cells.

This design is in contrast to non-rigid airships that use their fabric as part of their structural system.

The most famous group of rigid airships were the Zeppelins built in Germany during the first half of the 20th century.

Britain and the US also built rigid airships during that period.