R101 EMERGES INTO SUNLIGHT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18888, 14 October 1929, Page 4

RlOl EMERGES INTO SUNLIGHT.

MOORING mast tests PROVE SUCCESSFUL.

(United Press Assn.-—By Electric Telegfrnnh—Copyright > LONDON, October 12. In the presence of hundreds of spectators. at daybreak, four hundred men took RlOl from the hangar at Cardington, and safely affixed it to the mooring mast, at 7.25 a.m. . The airship made a perfect emer gence.- It looked slate-grey in the early dawn, but was transformed into shimmering silver when the sun rose. The mooring crew pulled the airship for a mile to the mooring mast, where the cable was attached. Then tons of ballast were dropped and she rose to the summit and swung prettily to the breeze, to the cheers of five thousand spectators. The first people to go on board were the designer, Lieut-Ccloiiel A. W. Richardson, and Air Marshal Sir John Hig gins. The former sent a message expressing delight at the ease with which the ship was handled, compared with the difficulties experienced with R3B. Fuel lines were run out and loading up began in preparation for the engine tests this afternoon. All fittings will be tested during the next few days, after which short trial flights will be ma Then a public christening ceremony will take place. Recent criticism of airship construe tion and delay in the trials of RlOl were referred to last night in a speech at Hull by the Air Minister. Lord Thomson. He recalled the wonderful achievement of the German airship, which one morning was in the centre of Europe, and four days six hours later had reached the furthermost point in Asia. If the British had decided to imitate that achievement, two British ships could have been pro vided years ago. The two new airships that were now completed, however were the first passenger ships built foi that, purpose in these islands. They contained many new ideas, and the idea of “safety first” was being follow ed. All previous British airships had been war machines. It was not the strength of the wind that had delayed RlOl, but its direction. They wished to proceed patiently. Airships needed more courage, more faith and more varied knowledge than any other form of transportation.—Australian Press Association— United Service— British Official Wireless. ZEPPELIN CREW REFUSE TO FLY. BERLIN, October 12. When they were asked if they were willing to participate in an expedition to the North Pole, the entire crew ol the Graf Zeppelin held a meeting and decided to refuse. They contended that they were engaged for passenger flights, not risky adventures like General Nobile’s. The organisers of the proposed Arctic are threatening to sue Dr Hugo Eckener, who had contracted to find a crew.—Australian Press Association.