Capra and Columbia considered "Dirigible" as a step forward into the big time, with a $650,000 budget, the highest amount the studio had ever invested. Shot at Lakehurst, New Jersey, at the hangar that would house the U.S. Navy and later the "Graf Zeppelin" and the "Hindenburg". The Navy gave "its full resources at Lakehurst" including the pride of the fleet, the USS "Los Angeles" to lend an air of authenticity to the production. The "Los Angeles" was featured prominently and also portrayed the fictional USS "Pensacola". US Navy Lieutenant Commander Frank "Spig" Wead, a former pilot, was given the story credit and stayed on as a technical consultant.