BIG FLYING-BOAT

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 51, 23 November 1929, Page 11

BIG FLYING-BOAT

FOR ROYAL AIR FORCE CAPABLE OF CARRYING 28 PASSENGERS SUCCESSFUL TESTS (United Press Association. —By Hlectrie Telegraph.—Copyright.) (“Timos” Cables.) (Rec. November 22, 7 p.m.) London, November 21. Britain’s largest all-metal flying-boat Blackburn Iris 111, weighing 13 tons, equipped with three 700 horse-power Condor engines, capable of carrying five of a crew and 28 passengers, has been successfully tested. It is officially described as a reconnoissance boat, and It incorporates a gunner’s cockpit behind the triple rudders, enabling a clear field of fire to the rear. (British Official Wireless,) Rugby, November 21. The Royal Air Force giant all-metal flying boat Blackburn Iris 111, which was launched to-day at Brough, near Hull, was drawn from the hangar by a traction engine and run down the slips to the Humber. Her float and engine tests'were carried out, and after half-an-hour’s flying test, under the supervision of an Air Ministry expert, the Iris headed for Felixstowe, where she is likely to remain for some time.

BEHAVIOUR OF RlOl DESIGNER GRATIFIED STATEMENT BY AIR MINISTER (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, November 21. The Air Minister, Lord Thomson, gave some interesting particulars about the airship RlOl to the House of Lords yesterday. He said that the vessel had been out of her shed for the last nineteen days. Moored at the mast she was exposed to far greater strains than when loose in the air. At the mast the whole of the strain due to wind pressure was at the nose. The wind rose to gusts of 83 miles an hour while she was moored. The pressure at the nose was recorded at 15J tons, but her strength was calculated to meet a pressure of 30 tons at the nose. If a pressure of 30 tons was ever reached, which was unlikely, an order would be given to “slip the ship,” because she was more capable of resisting wind pressure loose than when tied. The designer was extremely gratified with the ship’s behaviour. The postponed flight of Parliamentarians would take place on Saturday,, if the weather was clear enough to make it enjoyable. He hoped for a wind of 45 miles an hour and bright sunshine. Lord Thomson said that the second airship, RlOO, would probably be ready next week, and would replace the RlOl at the Cardington mooring mask

GREAT MOTOR LIFEBOAT FOR RESCUE OF ’PLANES IN CHANNEL (British Official Wireless.) (Rec. November 22, 5.5 p.m.) f Rugby, November 2L The largest motor lifeboat in the world is being launched on the Thames to-day. It is 64 feet long and has two cabins, and Is propelled by two 375 horse-power Thotneycroft engines. It is capable of exceeding 20 miles an hour in a rough sea, and has been built specially for the speedy rescue of aeroplanes which may come down In the Channel. It will be stationed at Dover.

FOR TRANS-ATLANTIC SERVICE HUGE ZEPPELIN TO BE BUILT (Rec. November 22, 7 p.m.) Berlin, November 21. It is announced from Friedrichshafen that the building will begin on December 1 of a huge Zeppelin for the trans-Atlantic service. The vessel will be much larger than the Graf Zeppelin, and will be completed in fourteen months.