A pilot onboard the iconic Goodyear Blimp seen touring the skies of Kent today has shared some breath-taking images from the cockpit.
The world-renowned airship took off from Calais, France this morning (July 1) and was seen going over Dover and later, Canterbury before heading on to the capital.
Incredible images have been shared from the Goodyear blimp as it travelled over Canterbury today. Photo: Uwe Stohrer
It is thought to be the first of multiple flights the airship will take across the country in the coming months and was the first time it had been spotted over the county for several years.
The Goodyear Blimp is recognised all over the world and is a regular feature at motorsport events, as well other big sport and entertainment events, ranging from FA Cup Finals at Wembley to Live Aid.
Now, exclusive images shared with KentOnline’s sister paper, the Kentish Gazette, show breath-taking views of Canterbury as seen from above in the iconic blimp.
Major landmarks including the St Lawrence Ground, the home of Kent cricket, and Canterbury Cathedral can all be spotted from the skies.
The airship, which is normally based in Essen-Mülheim during the summer months and otherwise has its home on Lake Constance, a European lake that borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland arrived via Calais in France.
A view from the iconic Goodyear blimp as it travelled over Kent. Photo: Uwe StohrerCanterbury Cathedral as seen from the iconic Goodyear blimp which was spotted in the skies above Kent for the first time in four years today (July 1). Photo: Uwe Stohrer
It will now spend several days flying over England on behalf of the US tyre company, including over the famous Goodwood estate with its own racetrack and airfield.
The blimp continues to cause a stir whenever it appears, with delighted watchers already taking to social media to share their footage and pictures of the aircraft.
The airship usually flies at around 1,000 to 1,500 feet in the air, and travels at a top speed of 73 miles per hour.
The Goodyear Blimp as seen from Deal. Picture: Paul Joliffe
It flies much longer than a helicopter and can travel nonstop for more than ten hours.
Because it was travelling slowly passers-by had plenty of time to admire the unusual sight on its passage towards London.
It returned to the UK for the first time in over 10 years in 2021, then again in 2022 – but hasn’t been seen since until now.