ARCTIC FLIGHT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 278, 28 October 1925, Page 2

ARCTIC FLIGHT

CAPTAIN AMUNDSEN’S PLANS. ITALIAN AIRSHIP PURCHxVSED. LONDON, Sept. 10. At a general meeting of the Aero Club of Norway, Lieutenant Riiser Larsen, in the absence of Captain Amundsen owing to indisposition, broadly outlined, for the first time officially, the scheme of an intended Norwegian Polar flight, to bo attempted next year with the assistance of the Aero Club. After stating by way of introduction that tho expedition intended to fly from .King’s Bay across tho Polo to Point Barrow, Lieutenant Larsen confirmed the news that Captain Amundsen last week purchased from the Italian Navy an airship of the semirigid type. Tho crew of'the airship, which is known officially as tho N. 1., would number 16, including Captain Amundsen with his companions in the last expedition, except perhaps the German, Eeuclit, from whom no reply has been received yet; and further, five Norwegians, including a meteorologlist, a wireless operator, a journalist, and some Italians, among whom Signor Nobili, a civil engineer and the constructor of the airship, would act as navigation officer. Tho airship will undergo thorough repairs during the autumn to give increased lift. Meanwhile, two mooring masts will be erected, one at Vcrnes, near Trondhjem, tho other at King’s Bay. The initial preparations are likely to be finished by the end of this year. Tho airship will fly at tho beginning of 1926 from Romo to Pulliam direct, and thence after fresh overhauling to Vernes, or if circumstances are particularly favourable, direct to Spitzbergen. After thorough trials have been carried out there, the final start will be made in April or. May from King’s Bay. The voyage across the Pole is one of 2235 miles, and can, it is expected, be completed in about 50 hours. The cruising radius of tho airship is 3725 miles. During his recent visit to Rome, Captain Amundsen had several interviews with Signor Mussolini, who recently added the Air Ministry to his existing portfolios, with General Bonzani, Under-Secretary for Air, and with experts of the Air Department. His requests have been met with very readily. Captain Amundsen has inspected the vessel in the aerodrome of Ciampino, near Rome, and suggested some technical modifications which are necessary for the voyage it will make over the Pole.

Among the conditions made by the Italian Government for the cession of the airship is that it» crew be- left unchanged. The N 1 made its maiden voyage in March, 1924, and has since made many long and successful trips. It is of 672,000 cubic feet capacity, 348 ft. long, 85ft. 4in. high and 64ft. wide, and has a maximum speed of 62 miles an hour. It is provided with three engines, each of 250 li.p., and has accommodation for 20 passengers.