BRITAIN'S LARGEST AIRSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 27 (Supplement)

BRITAIN'S LARGEST AIRSHIP.

Tests have shown that 'R 33" is the m per hour; weight in flying trim 60 to

Britain's largest aircraft made her trial flight this morning, writes an English correspondent under date March 6. One hundred and sixty men began to move the 120-ton doors from the end of the shed just after 9 o'clock, and E 33 peeped out. Hopes were high, and at 10.30 a cheer went lip as the giant airship began to move into the open. She was taken out to the flying

ground by several hundred soldiers and workers. Fifteen minutes later the "all clear" bugle sounded, the landing party ier go, and the a.irship rose on an even keel three or four hundred feet in the air. Cheers rang cut from the crowd, the propellers began to hum, and her nose going up, K 33 climbed rapidly to 1000 ft. and went off in the direction of Selby, following the line to York. Then the airship headed for Leeds, making several circles of 30 miles in diameter. She did part of the trial at 3000 ft.,

and her three hours' flight realised expecta- , trained staff of five to six hundred men to tions. Her speed was between 50 and 60 j effect a landing. niiles an hour. I The R 33 has fixed propellers, whereas

Colonel Hicks, who was in charge, made two former ships had swivel propellers to a splendid ascent, and at the finish glided | help their landing. With the latest type down like a swallow, skimming the ground ! the landing is done by the man at the until the landing party of 500 —a large pro- j steering wheel. The airship has yet to go portion of , whom were workgirle—grabbed j out on a speed trial trip. The Li 33 is a the landing ropes. There were only 1 nine | great advance on the L 33, brought down at experienced men in charge. It is an ! Cuffley by the late Captain Robinson, V.C. unknown thing in Germany for girls to land j She is, in short, the largest airship in the a super-Zeppelin, as they always had a I world, and carries a weight equal to her own

The men who had taken part in some of the hardest battles of the war were given * rousing reception. They are shown above marching past Buckingham Palace to "\7ellington Barracks. —Newspaper Illustrations, Ltd., photo.

ost successful of the Zeppelin type yet constructed. Length 670 feet; diameter 79 feet; capacity 2,000,000 cubic feet; fuel for eight days continuous running; speed at least 70 miles ns'; carrying capacity between 27 and 30 tons. , For war purposes she was to have carried four sSolb. and eight 3501 b. bombs, also machine guns and guns fore end aft on top.

weight, which is 30 tons. The balloon is a triumph of constructional skill, and while the metal looks massive it is the lightest material imaginable, a dull emerald green in colour. Her engines are Sunbeam Maoris, each developing 250 h.p., giving a total h rse-po-wer for the ship of 1250, while the sweep of the larger propeller is 19ft. The four gondolas are equipped with telephones and speaking tubes, so that the crew can corncunioate with each other.

Tli© residence of the late Mrs "W. H. Cutten has been leased by a comma'tee controlling social work in connection with the Anglican Church in order to provide a home for children during the enforced absence of the mother in hospital or nursing home.

—-Cazna Studio, photo

HELD IN THE QUEEN MARY'S HOSPITAL.. HANMER SPRINGS, —C. E. Christensen, photo. ON EASTER MONDAY NIGHT.

THE MAYORAL ELECTIONS FOR 1919.

EASTER BOWLING TOURNAMENT AT PALMERSTON NORTH.

—W. A- Taylor, photo

NEAR DUNEDIN,