The Mystery of L-8

By Crusader1307

 Actually, a Blimp (non-rigid Airship) – The ‘’Phantom Airship’’ is a piece of Aviation lore which has never truly been explained. Officially, The Airship was operated by The US Navy and designated ‘’L-8’’. Crewed by Two, She was 150-feet in length and gas filled. The Class of Airship was used by The US Military for Coastal Recon as well as for materials transfer. Both were important – especially off The Coast of California (US), in the early phases of World War II. With fears of an Imperial Japanese Invasion of The American West Coast, such Airships were seen regularly. L-8 was noted as being used to deliver modified part or The B-25 Class of Medium Bomber (which were used on the famed ‘’Doolittle Raid’’ against Tokyo, Japan in 1942). But Her fame would soon be replaced by strangeness.

On August 16th 1942, L-8 lifted off with (2) Crewmen from San Francisco, California. Several hours later, it was seen ‘’drifting’’ over The City, uncontrolled. Witnessed (and photographed) by hundreds if not thousands, the ‘’Ghostly Airship’’ drifted up and down (due to air currents). Eventually, it crashed into the ground. When Rescue Teams arrived other than the damage caused to one of it’s outboard engines (from hitting the ground) – no damage, mechanical or otherwise was found. In fact, neither were the two Crewmen. None of the emergency parachutes or rubber raft were touched. To date, no bodies or signs of foul play were ever found.

Officially, in 1943 – the Crewmen where declared DEAD by The US Navy. Their explanation? The Men ‘’fell to their deaths’’, although many find this as unlikely that both would fall. Desertion? Perhaps, but how dangerous is military duty on board a Blimp? Both men were well qualified Crewmen and neither were scheduled to be deployed into ‘’real’’ Combat. Another explanation – used by some, is that The Blimp ‘’encountered’’ either some ‘’phenomenon’’ which ‘’whisked them off and away’ from Their Craft. Ideas such as a Vortex or Dimensional ‘’door’’ have also been offered. Although Airships could still be found in Service thru The War, by and large – their usage was curtailed and then discontinued altogether by 1944-1945. The Command Car of L-8 was given to an Air Museum in Florida. Placed on Display, some Staff of The Museum have reported ‘’strange feelings’’ when they come near The Command Car. No ‘’paranormal phenomenon’’ have been outwardly reported….YET!