AUSTRALIA’S FIRST DIRIGIBLE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 3

AUSTRALIA’S FIRST DIRIGIBLE.

MADE BY A NEW ZEALANDER. (From Ouh Own Correspondents.) WANGANUI, July 2. Advice has been received here of the successlul construction of Sydney’s first dirigible balloon by Mr A. J. Roberts, who was formerly in charge of the municipal electric lighting works at Patea. The balloon, which is complete and ready for flight, is similar to tho model exhibited by Mr Roberts at Patea some months ago, and is constructed, as far as possible, of Australian material and by Australian hands. Tho only part which was imported wa'S the balloon section which it was found could not bo made in Australasia. The new airship, which is the invention as well as tho work of Mr Roberts, is 80ft long by 18ft over the gas-bag Section, which represents the sails of the ship. The “ nacelle,” or framework, which,, carries the engines and propeller, is 4Sft bv 2ft 6in. The airship is a “ lighter-than-air ” machine, as opposed to tho aeroplane, which is only sustained aloft by the driving force of the propeller. The airship floats in the air as a steamer floats on the sea, and is “navigable” in tho same way. The airship, M r Roberts states, cannot, of course, attain the speed of the aeroplane but, on the other hand, it can remain aloft for 4-8 hours at a time, which, is beyond plane limits. For bomb-dropping purposes conditions of greater accuracy can be obtained. Mr Roberts does not regard his vessel as much more than a model. Its is 15 horse-power, and its speed in calm weather is 16 miles an hour. _ In comparison with the great Zeppelins it is like comparing a pleasure yacht with a liner. The big airships of Europe get their by enormous engine power, which is necessary to overcome the air resistance. “I would have to treble my engine power,” said Mr Roberts, “to get another five miles an hour out of my little ship.” As soon as the weather permits Mr Roberts is to make a trial flight, and later on the ship will take up its occupation as a pleasure craft. •'Mr Roberts is to leave for London shortly, but before doing so ho will give public demonstrations of his ship’s capabilities and oi “wireless” inventions which he demonstrated in Patea by means of the model airship a few months ago.