BRITAIN'S NEW GIANT

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 122, 19 November 1926, Page 9

BRITAIN'S NEW GIANT

DELEGATES VISIT AIR BASE. LONDON, 17th Nov. Dominion delegates to the Imperial Conference visited Cardington, England's chief airship base, where, in addition to an inspection of the gigantic "hush hush" RIOI, at present in the constructional stage, arrangements were made for a trial flight of the nine-yc&r-old veteran R33. The visit was made amidst rain squalls ,ar d lowering clouds. Inspection was made of a steel mooring mast. This is of particular interest to Australia, because it is the basis of a type accessary there in connection with the projected airship service. It is 200 feet high, and at the top is a movable steel receiving arm, projecting vertically, but capable of swinging to an angle of 30 degrees from tho vertical. A steel rope passes through this and lies on the ground. Another steel rope dropped from the airship is coupled to it, and the line then pulled in by means of powerful machinery. "Remarkable," said Mr. Bruce. "I had visions of an airship dashing for the mast and trying to couple up." Later in the day R33 was drawn out from a gigantic hangar, three hundred men hanging to the guy ropes. When "at a height of 500 feet, however, the airship was totally obscured by clouds, and it was impossible to launch aeroplanes, as intended. Though the construction of RlOl is maintained a close secret, it is revealed that the ship will have a carrying capacity of a hundred passengers and ten tons of mail. It will be furnished with sleeping cabins, lounges, a smoking room, a dining-room capable of seating fifty, promenade decks, a kitchen, and shower baths.