MAMMOTH AIRSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14688, 24 May 1911, Page 7

MAMMOTH AIRSHIP.

LAUNCHING OF THE MAYFLY.

By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. London, May 22. Britain's new naval dirigible, which has been named the Mayfly, was taken out of the huge shed in which she was constructed for her trials to-day.

She was launched by 300 bluejackets, who safely hauled the monster from her shed.

The Mayfly has a lifting power of 21 tons when her 17 balloonettes are inflated with hydrogen. In strong winds she can be moored upon tho water.

OVER FIVE HUNDRED FEET LONG. Tho airship is 512 ft in length and 48ft in diameter. The outer covering of the upper half consists of silk treated with a special waterproof dressing, subsequently sprinkled with aluminium dust, which while deflecting the sun's rays, gives a bright silvery appearance' to the whole of the upper portion. The lower part is of yellow silk, treated with the same waterproofing material, but without the aluminium. Inside the framework gas-bags, filled with hydrogen, are placed. The two propelling motors, with their large propellers, were manufactured by the Wolselev Tool and Motor Car Company, Ltd., Birmingham, of which the Viikers Company are the proprietors, and each motor is placed in a gondola of boat shape, suspended to the duralumin structure, and with a gangway of communication within the V-shaped central bottom girder of the structure. The rudders, air-planes, etc., are worked from the gondolas, where compasses and other navigating appliances are also arranged. The propellers have been designed as a result of many experiments made on the large '' whirling table" specially constructed at the Vickers works for testing airship and aeroplane propellers, and a high efficiency is expected.