TWENTY DAYS IN THE AIR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3134, 11 September 1922, Page 7

TWENTY DAYS IN THE AIR.

All? LINERS OF THE U'UTUHJS. (Bv Commander C. Dennis Uurney, late R.N.) In little over a decade the aeroplane has sprung into being as a potent weapon and also as a vehicle of rapid 1 transport. In practically the same period airships have progressed from Count Zeppelin's early gasbags—objects of derision of half the world—to the present stage, in which they may be definitely regarded as our Empire air liners and the largest range craft in the world. Germany's progress has only been brought 'about by patient research, and although for the past 12 months the Air Ministry has done nothing, other nations have not been idle. Since the armistice Germany is the only nation which has constructed a new airship (the "Bodensee") embodying the notable technical advances which have been made. Even since that ship was built matters have progressed still further If the scheme for the formation of a company to run an imperial fleet of airships is sanctioned by the Cabinet, it will be possible to enlist the co-operation of the German designers, but if not. this country will stand a poor chance oi catching up Germany's lead in the future. It is no dream that the Zeppelin designers are ready to build an airship ol 0,000,U00 cubic'' feet capacity. The possibilities ot such a craft aic absolutely revolutionary Allowing for contrary winds, such an airship could carry' 4-1 tons of passengers and cioods for 3000 miles at a speed of SO miles an hour without stopping to refuel This means that it would be possible to transport 200 passengers and U tons of freight to India in three and a-half days, with only one stop at Cairo. ~ , ~ , Each passenger would be allowed three large suit cases for personal lug<v,<re -is far as comfort is concerned. The airship would be supreme. There would be less motion and noise than is experienced in an ordinary express train. Proper cabins, dining and smoking saloons would be provided, and even bathrooms. The greatest attention is being paid to the question of safety. Owing to the success of recent experiments it is now possible to affirm that kerosene will be used in the piace of the more inflammable and explosive petrol. The gas-bags will be protected with an outer cell containing non-in-ilammablo gas. If the use of these airships to the Navy is considered, their possibilities appear even more startling. On reconnaissance, work only, the bulk of the fort-v-four tons referred to above could be lised for extra fuel, and the distance which could be covered at eighty miles per hour would be just under 10,000 miles—England to Australia without a stop! This is actually a much greater range than is possessed by any steam vessel yet built, even at twenty miles per hour. For most reconnaissance work a, speed of forty-five miles per hour would be sufficient, and the airship, at this speed, would lie capable ot remaining in the air without refuelling for twenty days, covering in that time 20.000 miles—•four-fifths oi the distance round the equator. These airships could not no shot down with incendiary bullets, because of their protective cover of inert gas. Experiments, have already been succcssI'ullv conducted in which an aeroplane lias'been carried by an airship and safelv with its pilot, ill the air.