NEVER LIKED R101.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 237, 7 October 1930, Page 7

NEVER LIKED RlOl.

Opinion of Designer of Sister Ship.

STRONG CRITICISM. (Eeceived'l p.m.) LONDON, October C. In view of the disaster to the TUOI considerable importance attaches to criticisms of the airship's design. Sir Dennistoun Burney, builder of the RIOO, openly stated, " I never liked the KIOL " The well-known naval /, architect Edward F. Spanner, has frequently expressed grave doubts as to the salety and commercial value of giant airships. Ho has emphasised with great force in his books, quoted by the " Star" yesterday, the technically unsound condition of the MOO and RlOl. Dealing with the clangers of the added weight, he pointed out "that if there was a film of water only 1-C4th of an inch over the RlOl the added weight would be eight tons. He says that he was considerably impressed with the likelihood of disaster befalling both ships. Among the points, on which he bases his opinions, he states, " The ship, when flying, pitched up or pitched down, will be at extremely uncomfortable angles, and the speed on these occasions will be considerably reduced. The passengers will be constantly exposed to violent changes in temperature, and it will be impossible to moor or land the ship in unfavourable weather. "Electrical disturbances may also set the vessel afire." He declared;- "Very much more is being asked of the envelopes of the RIOO apd RlOl than in the case of the Graf Zeppelin."