Goodyear donates last GZ20-Era Blimp Gondola to EAA’s Museum

OSHKOSH, Wis (WISS) – As part of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture 2025, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company donated its last remaining blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum. The frame will become a part of a new children’s exhibit.

According to a press release, the gondola frame is from Goodyear’s GZ20 model era of blimps that spanned nearly 40 years. As one blimp was retired, its gondola was often refurbished for a new blimp. 

The gondola frame donated to the EAA Museum was previously used on the “Europa” that flew throughout Europe in the 1980s, and on the Florida-based “Stars and Stripes” in the early 2000s. 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp, making the donation even more memorable.

“As we celebrate our blimp program’s 100th anniversary, there’s no better way to honor its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts,” said Michael Dougherty, Goodyear’s Chief Pilot. “We hope this exhibit sparks curiosity and dreams of flight on aircraft of all kinds in countless children into the future.”

“Goodyear’s Blimp flying has been an iconic part of aviation for a century, so this donation is a great fit as part of our museum’s mission to tell the story of flight,” said Chris Henry, EAA Aviation Museum Manager. “Just as Goodyear Blimps have brought fascination with flight, this donation will be part of a future exhibit that inspires those with aviation dreams.”

During EAA AirVenture 2025, visitors got the rare opportunity to see two blimps. “Wingfoot” with its vintage wrap inspired by the first branded Goodyear Blimp “Pilgrim,” and “Wingfoot Two” were in Oshkosh for the duration of the fly-in convention.