BRITAIN’S SUPER-AIRSHIP

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 August 1928, Page 7

BRITAIN’S SUPER-AIRSHIP

“A COLOSSAL MECCANO”

100 PASSENGERS—SO CREW

(Australian Press Association.) • (By Cable—Press Assn.—Copyright.)

(Received August 24, 11.30 a.m.)

LONDON, August 23

Early next year, Britain’s gigantic airships R.lOl and R.lOO, embodying revolutionary designs not previously attempted will be ready for trial. These will occupy three to six months, the range thereof gradually extending until the Empire demonstration flight will be undertaken. This will most likely be to Egypt, India and Canada, because mooring masts are rapidly being completed there, while that in Australia will not be ready. . A visit of inspection to R.lOl to-day, revealed a great steel girdered and duralumin framework, housed in a shed higher than Nelson’s column. Six hundred men were piecing it together, like a colossal meccano. One of the sixteen great gasbags is in position, .while the preparation of the envelope is proceeding rapidly. One gondola has already been fixed and the engines delivered. The R.lOl has a gas capacity of five million cubic feet, a lifting capacity of 150 tons maximum, diameter 132 feet, length 730 feet, height 140 feet. The framework amidships, where the saloon lounges, diningrooms and cabins are situated, is completed. This will presently be overlaid by three-ply which will be used as flooring. The airship will carry a hundred passengers and fifty of a crew. The general colour scheme will be white and gold panelled walls and artistic lighting. One of the most revolutionary departures is the substitution of oil foi’ petrol, eliminating entirely the risk of fire. Five 650 horsepower Diesel engines, with Jaiel tanks, have been scientifically placed throughout the length, forty-seven tanks providing more than nine thousand gallons. The cruising speed will be sixty-three miles per hour. K lt will fly four thousand miles in calm weather, without refueling.

MISSING AIRMEN SAFE ?

MONTREAL. August 23. ' There is new hope for the missing aviators, Hassell and Cramer, who may have actually gained the Greenland Coast, and possibly landed in some outlying Eskimo settlement. According to a despatch from the Danish sheriff of South Greenland, the ’plane was distinctly seen early on Sunday, near Fiskeuesset. •

TRANS-ATLANTIC ATTEMPT.

LONDON, August 22.

The trans-Atlantic flier, Levine, flew to Berlin with the intention of purchasing a Junkers monoplane, with which, he says, he wiill attempt a nonstop trans-Atlantic flight. Miss Mabel 801 l has announced that she hopes to accompany Levine on his flight. INDIA TO LONDON. DELHI, August 22. A Karachi report states that the airman, Barnard, and the Duchess of Bedford (whose start from London was made on June 14) have arrived there, after a non-stop flight of 1,200 miles from Bushire. They expect to leave at dawn on Friday in an attempt to make a record four days’ flight to London. PROPELLER DAMAGED.

DELHI, August 23. 11l luck still dogs Captain Barnard, who examined the aeroplane propeller this morning, after his arrival at Karachi, and found it in a worse condition. He will have to wait several weeks pending the arrival of a new one. ■ The Duchess of Bedford decided not to wait, and caught the boat at Karachi to-night, and will take train to Bombay on Saturday.

FATALLY BURNT.

LONDON, August 22.

Two pioneer members of the Nottingham Aero Club, when flying in a Moth planej crashed near Hacknell. The machine burst into flames. The pilot, Robert Blake (son of Sir Arthui Blake) and the passenger, William Richardson, were burned to death. Boy Scouts camping nearby rushed with water buckets, but they were unable to approach within twenty yards of burning plane.

AIRMAN ASSISTS DETECTIVES

LONDON, August 23.

Seeing that a soldier, who is suspected of a serious charge, was outdistancing pursuing detectives in a crosscountry chase, near the Clacton Aerodrome, Captain Edwin Jones, who was piloting a passenger aeroplane, joined in the pursuit. He nose-dived and forced the man to lie flat. As, however, his passengers were becoming nervous, Jones returned to the aerodrome and dropped them, and then he returned to the chase. He again dived at the running man, and kept him lying on the ground until the exhausted detectives arrived.

“If he hadn’t ducked, I would have knocked his head off,” said the pilot.

MESSAGE IN BOTTLE.

(United Service.)

SAN FRANCISCO, August 22.

What, appears to be a genuine message from the late Miss Doran, who was lost in the Dole flying race to Honolulu, has floated ashore in a bottle at Aberdeen, Washington. The message says: “Gas all gone. Water running low. Been floating four days. (Signed) Mildred.” The paper is faded, and the message is scarcely decipherable.

CAPTURED FRENCHMEN

MOORS DEMAND RANSOM

(Times Cables.)

LONDON, August 22.

The Paris correspondent of The Times reports there is grave anxiety regarding the French airmen. Reine kind Serre, whom the Moors have been holding for ransom since they were forced to land at Rio de L’Oro, in North Africa, early in July, while en route to South America. The situation is complicated by the

fact of a powerful tribe threatening to wipe out the tribe which has captured the airmen unless they secure the release of Moorish prisoners who are now in French hands, besides a high ransom. A French official visited Rio De L’Oro, but he did not secure the airmen’s release, owing to the French Government, so it is reported, having refused an exchange of prisoners. A relief expedition is impossible, owing to Rio De L’Oro being situated in the Spanish zone of Africa. The airmen have sent, letters to their families detailing their pitiable condition. They state that they are unable to Wash and are covered with vermin.

Serres’ wife has written an indignant letters to the newspapers, protesting against the Government’s attitude in leaving the airmen to their fate, while, it waits for the Moors’ cupidity to abate, and she demands the release of the prisoners by the payment of a ransom.