GRAF ZEPPELIN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXI, Issue 212, 21 August 1931, Page 9

GRAF ZEPPELIN

FLIGHT ROUND BRITAIN PRESENTATION TO ECKENER. CAUSE OF AIRSHIP DEVELOPMENT. British Official Wireless Service. Rugby, Aug. 19. in welcoming Dr. Eckenor and the officers and crew of the Graf Zeppelin on arrival last night, the Undersecretary for Air, Mr Montague, warmly congratulated them on the progress of the Graf Zeppelin and expressed appreciation of the assistance already given by Dr. Eckener and tho willing help offered in future to the cause of British airship development.

On behalf of his English friends and admirers, Dr. Eckener was presented with an inscribed gold box. Dr. Eckener, replying, expressed his opinion that a complete system of international eo-operation was essential to airship development. The Graf Zeppelin completed her 24 hour tour of Britain when she landed at Hanworth at 7 o’clock and disembarked her passengers. Previously there had been some doubt as to the possibility of landing under the gusty conditions and she had circled over London for nearly an hour, but the operation Was carried out without a hitch. She remained about half an hour and Dr. Eckener received Sir John Simon on board and showed him the equipment in the control cabin. Shortly before 8 o’clock the great airship rose from the ground and, heading tot Centra) London, started her homeward journey to Friedrichshafen. The trip round Britain of 1000 miles was confined to England and Ireland, as adverse weather reports prevented Dr. Eckener visiting Glasgow and Edinburgh, as he had intended. In passing over Hull at noon Dr. Eckener dipped the Zeppelin in salute to the memory of the men of airship 838, which blew up over the river Humber.

On landing the Master of Sempill and other passengers stated that they had a very good time, despite the bad weather, and it had been a great flight.