BRITISH AIRSHIP

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 270, 14 October 1929, Page 7

BRITISH AIRSHIP

trials OF RlOl. MAIDEN FLIGHT TO-DAY. CRAFT REMOVED FROM HANGAR. (United Press Association.; —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Australian Press Association. —United Service.) LONDON, Oct. 12. In tho presence of hundreds of spectators 400 men took the airship RlOl from the hangar at Cardington this morning and safely affixed it to the mooring mast_ The airship made a perfect emergence. It looked slate grey in the early dawn, but was transformed into shimmering silver when the sun rose. The mooring crew pulled for a mile to the mooring mast, where a cable was attached and then tons of ballast dropped. The airship rose to the summit, then swung prettily to the breeze to the cheers of the spectators. The first to go aboard were the designer, Lieutenant-Colonel Richardson, and the Air Marshal, Sir John Higgins. The former sent a message expressing delight at the ease with which the ship was handled compared with tho difficulties encountered with the R3B. Fuel lines were run out and the loading up began in preparation for the engine tests this afternoon. AT MOORING MAST. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 13. It is expected that the new British airship RlOl, which has been moored to the mooring mast at Cardington since yesterday morning, will make her maiden flight to-morrow. DELAY IN TRIALS. AIR MINISTER’S STATEMENT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 13. Recent criticisms of airship construction and the delay in the trials were referred to last night in a speech at Hull by the Air Minister, Lord Thomson. Lord Thomson recalled the wonderful achievement of the German airship, which one morning was in the centre of Europe and four days six hours later had reached the .furthest point in Asia. If the British had decided to imitate that achievement, two British ships could have been provided . years ago. The two new airships now completed, however, were tho. first passenger ships built for that purpose in these islands. They contained many new ideas and the idea of safety first was being followed. All previous British airships had been war machines. It was not the strength of the wind that had delayed the RlOl, but its direction. They wished to proceed patiently. Airships needed more courage, more faith' and more varied knowledge than any other form of transportation.