This episode of the 1954 TV series The Greatest Drama, “The Sky Giant: The Story of Rear Admiral Charles A. Rosendahl,” tells the story of Rosendahl and his championing of dirigibles. The episode opens with a shot of a dirigible (00:29) and a shot of Rosendahl (00:41), a “giant of aviation” and pioneer of dirigible flight. Rosendahl is part of the flights of famous U.S. dirigibles, including the Shenandoah (00:45), the Akron, the Los Angeles. Cadets march at Annapolis (01:01), where Rosendahl’s interest in dirigibles begins. An early dirigible leaves its hanger then flies over ocean-going ships. The film shows the construction of a dirigible (01:26) and a stockpile of the gas cannisters (01:43) used to power the ships. Rosendahl flies the German-built Los Angeles (02:10) to Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey. He takes part in several other flights. He is the Navigation Officer of the Shenandoah (02:48) when the ship encounters a storm and breaks in half—Rosendahl successfully lands the bow section of the destroyed ship, saving a handful of lives. Footage shows the wreckage of the ship (03:08). Rosendahl (3:25) is given command of the Los Angeles (03:31) and its crew. A shot from the dirigible shows an aerial view of an East Coast city (03:46). As part of the PR flight, Rosendahl launches a glider (04:00) from the dirigible, which then lands. A more impressive stunt occurs when Rosendahl lands the Los Angeles on the aircraft carrier Saratoga (04:18). The episode shows the ship’s crew and commander, Rosendahl. In 1928, Rosendahl is an observer on the flight of the Graf Zeppelin (05:11; 05:36), as it travels from Friedrichshafen to Lakehurst (05:44). The Akron is built (06:25) and Rosendahl is given command of the ship. Rosendahl speaks about the progress of the ship (06:44), then he oversees its test flight (06:55). Rosendahl discusses the tests that the Akron is put through. What appears to be the crew of the Akron (07:57) bids Rosendahl farewell as he leaves for sea duty. Afterward, Rosendahl takes command of Naval Air Station at Lakehurst (08:33), and he is on the field to welcome the arrival of the Hindenburg (08:57) at Lakehurst, but the ship explodes and crashes. Flames engulf the wrecked dirigible. The Los Angeles (09:47) is grounded, despite Rosendahl defending the use of American dirigibles. Rosendahl is transferred to sea duty on the light cruiser Milwaukee (10:23). Cruisers sail on the ocean. During World War II, merchant ships sail across the Atlantic (10:41), but are harassed by German U-boats. A German torpedo hits a merchant ship (10:53). Rosendahl is put in charge of training crews and commanding dirigibles that fly over the Atlantic (11:07), controlling convoy routes. Rosendahl receives the distinguished Flying Cross (11:25). The episode ends with shots of Rosendahl and flying dirigibles.

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