GIGANTIC AIRSHIPS.

Grey River Argus, 28 November 1927, Page 5

GIGANTIC AIRSHIPS.

TO CROSS ATLANTIC.

In 48 Hours.

(Aus. and IN.Z. Assn). LONDON, November 26.

Such has been the progress with the Air Ministry’s RlOO at the lonely workshop in East Yorkshire, that it will bo ready for the trials in four months. Xt is the largest and most powerful in the world, twic.’ the size of the biggest Zeppelin. The first public glimpse disclosed that the colossal fiam wort, 800 ft by 130 ft in diameter, has been completed. Into this has been built an amazing four-storey hotel. The gangway from the mooring mast leads to a brilliantly lighted saloon, 110 ft wide. Ranged on three sides of this ar • the crew’s sleep ing quarters, while immediately underneath is what might b? called the ground floor, consisting of the control and navigating rooms, a wide staircase communieating with the next deck containing a dining room for fifty persons and a kitchen fitted with an electric stove. From here, two fourberth cabins open out. The third or prom"nade deck is a glassed-in 43ft by 14 ft dancing floor, music being picked up by wireless. The promenade can comfortably accommodate a hundred. The top storey consists of the remaining berths and lounge, from which passengers can look into the dining room and ballroom below. Electricity, radiators and fans are everywhere.

The ship will be driven by 4200 h.p. and is provided with six Rolls Royce Condor engines and thirty-five petrol tanks, each holding a ton of petrol. Its top speed will be 85 miles an hour. The weight with the passengers will be 156 tons. The cost is £450,000. It is expected that th.' trans-Atlantic fare will be £lOO for the trip occupying 48 hours. A sister ship RlOl, being built at Cardigan, is nearing the same stage of completion.