AN historian is on the hunt for pictures of the famous German airship, the Hindenburg - as it flew over Craven.

The mighty airship, equal to the length of eight jumbo jets, emblazoned with 70 feet high Swastikas, cruised over the district - twice.

The first visit was on May 22 1936 when the passenger airship, en route from New Jersey, USA, to Frankfurt, Germany, altered course. At the request of the priest on board, Father Schulte, the ship flew over Keighley where the priest dropped a parcel containing a bunch of carnations and a small silver crucifix. It also included a letter, written on Hindenburg notepaper, asking for the cross and flowers to be placed on the grave of the priest's brother, Lieutenant Franz Schulte, who died in the Skipton POW camp, and was buried in Morton Cemetery, Keighley.

The Craven Herald at the time, records eyewitness account of the Hindenberg passing over West Craven, Gargrave, Crosshills, Kildwick and Skipton.

The paper records the appearance of the Hindenberg, "a beautiful silver cigar" which thrilled hundreds in Barnoldswick.

"The airship, flying low over the railway station made a wonderful spectacle with the sunlight playing on its silver hull, the name and Nazi swastika being clearly visible.

"Coming from the west, the ship flew towards the Long Ing district heading in an easterly direction for Skipton".

Cricketers on the Applegarth ground at Earby and at Gargrave had a "splendid view" and the ship went on to Cowling and Crosshills, before passing directly over Kildwick railway station and Skipton.

The Hindenberg was the biggest airship ever constructed at approximately 803 feet long and was emblazoned with the Olympic rings as Berlin hosted the games in 1936.

On June 30 1936 on a return trip from the States the Hindenberg flew over Craven again, this time on a spying mission.

After the war photographs, probably taken from the airship, were discovered amongst German intelligence files of industrial sites, reservoirs and hospitals in the Skipton area, including Steeton bus depot, which could have been used as military installations.

Military historian Oliver Denton, 20, of Long Preston, is appealing to readers who may have photos of the airship passing over Craven. He is writing a book on the airship called 'The Hindenburg - the Adventure Over Yorkshire'.

Mr Denton said there was documentary evidence of the airship flying in the Aire Valley, but he was keen to find photographic evidence.

"I would love to see a picture of the Hindenberg over Slaidburn and hope that some of the farmers may have pictures in their collection of the airship passing over Craven.

"History is one of my true loves, studying the past helps us prepare for the future. I set up the business to help others find out more about the past, particularly in the light of a recent study which showed 45 per cent of 11-year-olds didn't know when the Battle of Hastings was or who Henry VIII's wives were.

"I can also search for rare books for enthusiasts and have a website for researchers www.expage.com/militerature."

Andrew Mackay, Craven's museums officer, said an exhibition about the airship was planned for next spring in the Craven Museum based in Skipton Town Hall.

"Mr Denton has acquired documentary evidence from contemporary newspaper reports and a number of book sources but the search is now on for photographic evidence, particularly showing the airship over Keighley and Skipton area," he said.

Anyone who can help Mr Denton can contact him by e-mailing museum@cravenc.gov.uk