THE NEW AIRSHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 122, 28 May 1929, Page 7

THE NEW AIRSHIPS

TO BE READY SHORTLY

MOMENTOUS ISSUE (From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 5tU April. The two airships, R 100 and R 101 will be ready for their shed tests by tho end of next month, and will bo flying in July. By the end of tho year (writes the aeronautical correspondent of the "Slorning Post") the future of airships in Great Britain and in many other countries will probably have been decided, for if theso two airships fail to come up to expectations, if Uiey are involved in any. serious accident, it is doubtful if another airship will be laid down in this country. The air experts of the whole world will watch this British experiment, and countries like Prance and Italy, which have ceased building airships, will modify or affirm their policy according to the behaviour of the British vessels. It is true to say that no air experiment on so largo a scale and on which so much depends, has ever before been attempted. There has been a delay of about two years in completing the vessels. Time after time sineo the airship scheme was initiated in July, 1924, the date of launching has been postponed. In March, 1927, it was stated that it was hoped to have the R 100 ready by August that year, and in September the airship was reported to bo nearly finished. In November, 1927, April, 1928, was given as tho' likely launching-date, and in December Sir Samuel Hoaro, tho Air Minister, stated that it was hoped to have the two airships ready some time next year. COST MOUNTING UP. Meanwhile, the cost has been mounting, and Sir Samuel Hoare stated in tho House of Commons recently that both vessels would cost more than was originally estimated. Two hundred and sixt}' thousand pounds was spent on research and experiments before R 101 was begun. R: 101 was originally estimated'to' cost £280,000. These delays and changes in plan will cause tho approaching tests to be watched all the more, critically. The shed tests are likely to give but little information of practical value, although even at that stage it is. possible that same faults in design or construction may be discovered which will lead to further delays. Apart from this tjossibility, however, the flying tests over England willbe the first indication of the capabilities.of {ho new vesesis and of.the mooring masts which have been erected for them.

TESTING THE VESSELS. The same crow will carry out the tests with both vessels. If will be under the supreme command of Major Scott, who was in charge of It 34 on her double Atlantic crossing. After the trials over Great Britain, longer flights, including trips to Canada and Egypt, will be attempted, but without passengers. Should either of the new vessels suffer a disaster during these flights similar' to that suffered by the Shcnancloah, the B, 38, or the Dixmude, it is unlikely that any more work on airships would be undertaken iii Britain. If the vessels-prove successful, however, they will have the- important advautage of being able to operate air services throughout the Empire without having to laud in foreign territory. Thus, they would avoid the difficulties with which the London-India Imperial Airways service has.had to contend. Their operation would not be dependent 1 upon the goodwill of many -.foreign Governments. ;