[PeterPrinciple]

The wrecked reconnaissance plane shot down by 4 british airships.

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terminology caught my eye. Would airships and planes mean different things at that time?

[Tainan]

Good question. It might be a term used to refer to dirigibles or blimps used as sky patrols during this period. Could be either powered or tethered to the ground. Mny of these were manned by gun crews. Some, unmanned, were just floated up to crowd the sky and hopefully entangle and/or discourage enemy a/c from an area.
This is a guess on my part.

[PzLdr]

The plane is a Heinkel 111. I think recon at that time was done by Dornier 17s.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I believe “airship” is just an antiquated term for “airplane.” I have heard characters in movies of the thirties refer to their craft as “my ship.” General news reporters seem to be uneducated as to the technical aspects of the tools of war. I’ll bet they are more savvy by this time next year. By then they will have been through the Battle of Britain so they will know a Stuka from a Messerschmidt from a Heinkel.