EIGHTY MILES AN HOUR

Taranaki Daily News, 2 December 1929, Page 11

EIGHTY MILES AN HOUR

AIRSHIP RIOI’S SPEED THE NEW BRITISH DESIGN. TO CARRY MANY PASSENGERS. British Wireless. Rubby, Nov. 29. R10<), the second of the two new British airships, which was constructed by the Airship Guarantee Company, has just been handed over to the Air Ministry for flying trials. It is claimed that she will have better perfoimances than RIOI in that she will travel faster and carry a more useful load. This is partly attributable to the use of petrol as fuel instead of heavy oil. The use of petrol enables lightweight aero engines to be used, and she has a power equipment of six Rolls Royce Condor engines of 660 to 700 h.p., giving a total horse-power of 4200 as against 2340 horse-power for forward progress in RICH.

The designers claim that RlOO will have a top speed of 80 miles an hour and a range of 3000 miles at a cruising speed of 70 miles an hour. Decreasing the speed to 50 miles an hour would increase the maximum range in still air to. 5000 miles. Provision has been made for the installation of extra tanks, bringing the fuel weight air-borne up to 51 tons. RlOO should then at her most favourable cruising speed, but with only an operating crew, have a range of 10,000 miles, or sufficient to reach Australia from England without re-fuelling. In RIOO passengers and crew, numbering 150, .are accommodated in three decks situated just forward of amidships. Living and sleeping space for 100 passengers is carried on the two upper decks, the lower of which has a verandah and a dining room to seat 50 at one time.