WONDER AIRSHIP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 246, 31 July 1935, Page 8

WONDER AIRSHIP

GERMANY’S NEW ZEPPELIN. Germany’s new Zeppelin, L.Z. 129, which is now nearing completion at Fried rich shafen, will not only be 'remarkable for the comfort of its cabins and the length of its promenade decks. Smoking will lie allowed at table owing to a new patent construction of ashtrays, which will exclude all air from cigar and cigarette ends. A grand piano has been constructed for the saloon. Its tone is alleged to be unaffected owing to the fact that very light metal and leather are two of the principal materials from which it has been made.

Engineers are more interested in the fact that a new apparatus has been tried which will permit the airship to draw in water from the atmosphere should it be in need of further ballast, or, if carrying too much, to rid herself of superfluous humidity caused by atmospheric changes. One of the most important facts about the construction of the L.Z. 129 is the attempt made to overcome the difficulties of importing certain materials. The chemical industry has perfected a process by means of which the expensive skin derived from the intestines of calves and oxen and used to exclude air from the gas carried in hermetically sealed chambers may he dispensed with. This new film like substance has been used to cover the 50,000 square metres surface of these containers, and is said to mark a new epoch in safe airship construction.