BRITAIN’S FIRST AIR DREADNOUGHT.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9671, 18 April 1923, Page 5

BRITAIN’S FIRST AIR DREADNOUGHT.

■ . .... —-.- ■ .-I NEW WEAPON OF SEA WARFARE.

Remarkable new features in aircraft design are to be introduced into the gigantic flying boat —the first aerial Dreadnought—which is now being built at Southampton for the Air Ministry. The flying ship,, which is regarded as a triumph for British aeroplane construction, is designed for actual living afloat. It will he illuminated throughout with electric light, and in the hull there is to be an electric capstan for the handling of the 12olb anchor. The anchor will hold the ship at rest on the surface of the water. .Foghorn and riding-lights will also he included in the equipment. There are to he two water-tight transverse bulkheads and , sleeping quarters for five. The how of the craft will stand rather high out of the water, but viewed from the head it will have the appearance of an. ordinary motor-boat of rather large dimensions. On top of the hull there is to _ls© a superstructure, built in stream-lino fashion, so as to diminish wind resistance. This will be divided into three compartments,, separate but connected by doors. One of these will he the, chart-room, with accommodation for the commanding officer, another for the gunners, and a third for the two pilots. In the third will bo fitted the dual control apparatus. The total weight of the flying ship, with full crew, fuel, and two _ torpedoes, each weighing 30001 b, will he nearly tons. The torpedoes will be carried one under each of the lower wings, and in order to facilitate their handling.and discharge, a new type of releasing gear has been devised. Five machine-guns will he carried. These will he so arranged as to leave no “blind spot” in the craft. A feature of the craft will he its ability to climb swiftly, this being necessary in order that it may quickly get out of. the range of a ship’s guns aftesdelivering an attack.