AIRSHIP SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 191, 15 May 1928, Page 9

AIRSHIP SERVICE

ACROSS ATLANTIC

BURNEY’S PLANS

DISCUSSED WITH UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Commander Burney says that arrangements are well advanced for the establishment of a transatlantic airship service, and that keen interest in the project is shown in the United States.

(United Press Association.—U.v Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (United Service.)

London, M|iy 13. “Arrangements are now well advanced for the establishment of a transatlantic airship service,” said Commander Burney, who has just returned from America. “I discussed the project with the United States Government officials, who were exceptionally keen, President Coolidge and Mr. Hoover, with whom I had interviews, were particularly interested. The Government Departments are assisting in every way. I hope that RlOO will be ready for experimental Hights in August. If they are successful it will be necessary to build at least four airships to maintain a regular service, and it will be at least eighteen months before the first is ready. lam now looking out for a suitable terminal in England, possibly at Southampton.” ("Times” Cables.) (Rec. May 14, 10 p.m.)

London, May 14,

Commander Burney, interviewed, said the main condition of American approval of the Atlantic air service is that RlOO make several, probably six, successful transatlantic trips. _ It is proposed to operate a bi-weekly mail service, carrying seventy tons weekly, by four airships, of which two will be built in America and carry the American flag. The remainder will be British. The company is assured of an American-European mail contract at the rate of twelve shillings per pound. Britain hitherto had offered eight shillings. The service thereby would be profitable without passengers. There will be no difficulty in raising the necessary capital, and when ■ the new* ideas and improved hull construction incorporated into RlOO have proved sound, they will be incorporated into larger airships, carrying 170 passengers and ten tons of mail. Meanwhile airships capable ofcarrying twenty tons of mail and fifty-passengers, with a speed of eighty miles per hour, would be built to carry out the service. Commander Burney believed an American Post Office Bill, enabling an air contract for mails, would be passed by Congress. Three American towns had offered to install mooring-masts if they become terminals. Moreover, the necessity of using the Azores route seven months in the year means that the first American base must be between New York and Washington. The Canadian route is only possible in summer time. ' .

The American Navy Department was so impressed by RIOO’s technical improvements that it had reopened the question of building two airships of 7,500,000 cubic feet, carrying four fighting aircraft, and were calling for new tenders. An American firm considers Burney's designs superior to Zeppelins, upon which American airships are at present based. 40,000-MILE FLIGHT CROYDON TO TOKIO (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Rec. Hay 14,10 p.m.) London, May 14. Van Laar Black, the Dutch-American millionaire, left Croydon on a 40,000mile flight to Tokio and back at 6.33 this morning.

BENTLEY’S HONEYMOON FLIGHT

(British Official fVirelesS.)

Rugby, May 13. Flight-Lieutenant Bentley, who last year flew alone in a small Moth aeroplane 8000 miles from London to Cape Town to be married, and who won the trophy for the most meritorious aero performance of the year by doing the journey in record time, returned to London yesterday with his bride in bis machine. During the 8000 miles of the return journey Mrs. Bentley learned to take over the controls. Their machine has a 30 horse-power Cirrus engine. During the journey they met Lady Heath, the British airwoman, at Bulawayo, and their two machines flew in company over the heart of Africa. The Bentleys.expect to fly back to South Africa in the autumn. ' -