FT260

The first decade of the 20th century was a time of rapid scientific progress and great mechanical wonders. Gigantic gas-filled envelopes called airships flew through the skies. There were problems – they regularly crashed in anything stronger than a stiff breeze – but somebody was flying around up there… [1]

During May of 1909 mysteri­ous airships – dubbed ‘scareships’ by the press – were regularly sighted in the skies of Great Britain (see FT196:46–49; 198:48–50). They were popularly believed to be German spies. [2]

By July it was New Zealand’s turn. Over a two-month period, hundreds of New Zealanders saw strange lights which appeared to be attached to a dark cigar shape.