DIRIGIBLE R101

Northern Advocate, 16 November 1929, Page 9

DIRIGIBLE RlOl

WITHSTOOD HURRICANE,

CRITICAL MANOEUVRE

(Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, November 14,

The airship RlOl withstood with complete success winds of hurricane force while she ivas moored at the masthead at Cardington on Monday. Bhc had a more severe test early on Tuesday morning.

The wind suddenly veered bio degrees in about one minute. The great airship, which *js more than 700 ft long and offers a side surface of nearly an acre, had to meet a force which swung her round over one-third of a circle within a very short period of time.

This is regarded by experts as tha most critical manoeuvre likely to be experienced, except possibly violent up and down currents, when the question of gas pressures and lift become involved. The fact that RlOl met the abnormal conditions without in any way exceeding the designer’s calculations as to load factors is considered to be highly satisfactory. The wind had boon blowing up to 07 miles and hour in gusts, but when it changed suddenly from the south-w r est to the north the average force was about .‘hi miles an hour.

The next flight of T? 101 is to be made bn Saturday. Members of both Houses of Parliament will make a five hour flight.

SUPERSTITIOUS FEARS. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. SPECIOUS EXCUSES. (Received B.3fi a.m.) LONDON, November 15. It is stated that a number of members of Parliament who won tickets for the flight in R.lOl on Saturday found pressing 'engagements preventing their participation. Several report that they received letters from their constituents imploring them not to risk the flight. One member of the House of Commons says he has discovered in a publication which features predictions that a disaster to an airship in which politicians arc enjoying a flight was foretold for this very month and year. According to present arrangements RlOl will carry a party numbering about 180, including 75 members of tho. House of Commons and 20 Peers, three o'f tho latter being aged over 70. The human cargo will weigh approximately 13 tons.