Embarrassing error by blimp handlers

Firstly, I am glad only egos were seriously bruised in this regrettable incident.

Picture the scene at an airfield somewhere in the South of Thailand. The crew are fussing around the pride of the army, 47 metres of semi-rigid dirigible, hovering just inches above the ground, tugging against the restraints, its engines throbbing in anticipation of the arrival of Thailand’s statesman-like, yet wonderfully fragrant, prime minister. Everything is ready for her imminent arrival, the cream coloured skin polished to a fine sheen by a team of young conscripts, only marred by a red blemish towards the tip.  Spotting the PM approaching, in their keenness, the team securing the bell-end lose their grip on the lines, allowing the airship to rear upwards.  Desperately, they lob ropes over the rampant dirigible, but to no avail.  The craft is launched nevertheless, but prematurely. Sadly, it has not received sufficient gas to achieve its optimum rigidity.  Trying to launch in its softened state is doomed to failure as the craft fails to penetrate the firmament.  Gravity takes over as it wilts and it bends over towards the ground. Red faces and apologies abound and the officer in charge is heard to murmur, “I am terribly sorry madam, this has never happened before”,  “I think we must have had one too many beers”, etc. 

Yours faithfully,

Colonel Blimp

Bangkok