LZ130 on the eve of World War 2

Many people are not aware that Zeppelins still flew after the LZ129 "Hindenburg" disaster. One of them, LZ130, was used on the eve of World War 2, to probe the then-new British coastal radar system, code named "Chain Home"...

Boffins TV have producted a new documentary telling the facinating story of the development of British radar and the Zeppelin spy mission that nearly uncovered its secrets. In a frantic race against time 19 coastal Chain Home radar stations were built to provide Britain with its vital early warning. But the rapid construction of the towers soon came to the attention of German intelligence. On 3rd August 1939 the huge LZ 130 Graf Zeppelin airship crossed the North Sea on a daring wireless spy mission. What happened in the next 24 hours was to decide the future Battle of Britain. With exclusive interviews, reconstructions and expert analysis, we reveal of the truth behind the spy mission that changed the course of history.

You can check out video clips online, and the DVD is available in European and US formats, direct from the production company.

Der Ostwind

A few months ago, I purchased an Apple TV. Apple TV is sort of a video iPod, optimized for use with your TV, preferably a nice HDTV. You can purchase music, videos and movies from the iTunes Music Store, or load it up with content that you already have on hand. We have used it many times when guests have visited to show slides and movies of trips to Zeppelin. Sort of like dragging out the old 8mm film or slide projector was when I was a child.

Of course the first thing I did when I got it out of the box, was to look for some content to purchase. I didn't want to spend alot of time downloading, so I searched for shorts. While browsing the Sundance Film Festival, I came across what looked like an obvious choice -- Der Ostwind.

Der Ostwind is done in the style of Sky Captain -- a wonderful mix of live acting set on computer generated backdrops. It is the tale of an German ace that finds his match -- and struggles with questions of honor and self -- in the skies of WWI.



You can purchase Der Ostwind for $1.99 at the iTunes store.

Der Ostwind, widescreen, run time 0:10:45, German with English sub-titles.