ARCTIC FLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 102, 27 October 1925, Page 10

ARCTIC FLIGHT

CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN'S PLANS

ITALIAN AIRSHIP PURCHASED.

(rr.osi our own cokresPjOndbst.)

LONDON, 10th September.

At a general meeting of the Aero Club of Norway, Lieutenant Riiser Larsen, in the absence of Captain Amundsen owing to indisposition, broadly outlined, for the first time officially, the scheme of an intended Norwegian Polar flight, to be attempted next, year with the assistance of the Aero Club.

After stilting by way of introduction that the expedition intended to fly from King's B;iy across the Pole to Point Barrow, Lieutenant Larsen confirmed the news that Captain Amundsen last week purchased from the Italian Navy an airship of the'semi-rigid type. The crew of the airship, which is known officially as the N. 1., would number 16, including Captain Amundsen with all his companions in the last expedition, except perhaps the German, Feucht, from whom noreply has been received yet; and further, five Norwegians, including a meteorologlist, a wireless operator, a journalist, and some Italians, among whom Signor Npbili, a. civil engineer and the constructor of the airship, would act as navigation officer. The airship will undergo thorough repairs during the autumn to give increased lift. VOYAGE ACROSS THE POLE Meanwhile, two mooring masts will be erected, one at Ver'nes, near Trondhjeni, the other at King's .Bay. The initial preparations are likely to be .finished by the end of this year. The' airship' Will fly at the beginning of 1926 from Homo to Pnihani direct, and 'thence after fresh overhauling to -Vernes, or if circumstances arc particularly favourable,'direct to Spitsbergen. After thorough trials have been carried out there,' the final start will be made in April or May from King's Bay. The voyage across the Pole is one of 2235 miles, and can, it is expected, be completed in about SO hours. The cruising radius of the airship is 3725 miles.

During his recent visit to Rome, Captain Amundsen had several interviews with Signpr Mussolini, who recently added the Air Ministry to his existing portfolios, with General Bonzani, Under-See-rotary for Air, and with experts of the Air Department." Hisrcquests have been met with very' readily. Captain Amundsen has inspected the vessel in the aerO drome of Ciampino, near Rome, and suggested some technical modifications which arc necessary for .the voyage it will make over the Pole. '

Among the conditions made by the Italian Government for the cession of the airship is that its crew be left unchanged, and it is stated that Signor Nobili,. who designed the airship, will be the pilot. The N.I made its' maiden voyage in March, 1924, and has since made many long and successful trips. It is of 672,000 cubic feet capacity, 348 ft long, 85ft 4in high, and 64ft wide, and has a maximum speed of 62 miles an hour. It is providpd with three engines, each of 250 h.p., and has accommodation for 20 passengers. 85, Fleet street.