Rl0l TO BURN OIL INSTEAD OF PETROL

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19154, 21 August 1930, Page 1

Rlol TO BURN OIL INSTEAD OF PETROL

MANY MODIFICATIONS MADE IN AIRSHIP.

(United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

(Received August 21, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, August 20.

When the airship RlOl is taken out for her trials before leaving for India her gross lift will be about 172 tons, as compared with 153 tons of the RIOO. She will have gained an extra lift of 15 tons by the insertion of an extra bay and a further six tons by various | modifications. One compression ignition starting engine has also been obtained to take the place of one of the petrol engines hitherto used. If it is a success four others will be obtained for the remaining engine cars, and then RlOl will carry no fuel but heavy oil. It is the aim of the Airship Department to do without petrol, particularly for voyages in the tropics. One other improvement may yet be completed before the ship sails. It is believed that the problem has been solved of making one of the engines reversible without losing any power, and a special wood propeller is now being made for fitting to this engine. Success in this respect will allow the ship to use all her engines, instead of reserving one for going astern in case of emergency.