Miniature Airships: Companies & Custom Orders

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A university student is designing a miniature airship for a project and seeks companies that sell small airships or offer custom orders, specifically for a helium envelope and framework. They have found limited options, primarily companies focused on promotional airships, and have not received helpful responses from forums or inquiries sent to manufacturers. The student considers using surplus weather balloons as gas bags and plans to build a lightweight frame around them to simplify the design. The discussion highlights the challenges in sourcing specific components for miniature airships. Ultimately, the student is determined to proceed with their project using available materials.
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I starting my third year project at university and I'm going to be designing and building a miniature airship (no more than 1m in diameter). i was just wondering if anyone here knows any companies that sell small airships, or do custom orders since i really only need the helium envelope and frame work.

only company I've found so far is imagine inflatables (not sure if they'll do what i need, emailing them today) all the other search results I've come up with are either for airships in video games or miniatures for wargamming.
 
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right, I've posted on the smallblimps forum, there really not being helpful. emailed the guys at airship.com. tried finding other companies that might help but still having trouble. haven't got a reply from either airship or imagine inflatables.

seems if a company deals with airships/blimps at all, its just complete ones for advertisement.

got my design sorted so the only thing i need it the gas bag, hell if i can just find the right material, i'll make it myself.
 
Why not just use a few surplus weather balloons as gas bags?
You can build a frame and envelope to hold them. You will not have much weight margin at that size, so simplificate and add lightness.
 
yeah that's the conclusion i came to. I'm just going to get a small weather balloon and build the frame around it.
 
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