NEW AIRSHIPS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume L, Issue 106, 31 May 1929, Page 1

NEW AIRSHIPS.

TWO TO BE READY SHORTLY. MOMENTOUS ISSUE. LONDON, April 5. The two airships, RIOO and RlOl will he ready for their shed tests by the end of next month, and will be flying in July. By the end of the year (writes the aeronautic correspondent of the “Morning Post”) the future of airships in Great Britain and in many other countries will probably have been decided, for if these two airships fail to come up to expectations, if they are involved in any serious accident, it is doubtful if another airship will be laid down in this country. The air experts of the whole world will watch this British experiment, and countries like France and Italy, which have ceased building airships, will modify or affirm their policy according to the behavior of the British vessels. It is true to say that no air experiment on so large a scale and on which so much depends, has ever before been attempted. There has been a delay of about two years in completing the vessels. Time after time since the airship scheme was initiated in July, 1924, the date of launching has been postponed. In March, 1927, it was stated that it was hoped to have the RIOO ready by August that year, and in September the airship was reported to be nearly finished. In November, 1927, April, 1928, was given as the likely launching date, and in IV>ceinber Sir Samuel Hoare, the Air Minister, stated that it was hoped to have the two airships ready some time next year. COST MOUNTING UP. Meanwhile, (he cost has been mounting, and Sir Samuel Hoare stated in the House of Commons recently that both vessels would cost more than was originally estimated. Two hundred and sixty thousand pounds was spent on research and

experiments before RlOl was begun. RlOl was originally estimated to cost £280,000. These delays and changes in plan will cause the approaching tests to be watched all the more critically. The shed tests are likely to give hut little information of practical value, al-

though even at that stage it is possible that some faults in design or construction may be discovered which will lead to further delays. Apart from this possibility, however, the flying tests over England will be the first indication of the capabilities of the new vessels and of the mooring masts which have been erected for them. TESTING THE VESSELS. The same crew will carry out the tests with both vessels. It will he under the supreme command of Major Scott, who was in charge of R 34 on her double Atlantic crossing. After the trials over Great Britain, longer flights, including trips to Canada and Egypt, will be attempted, but without passengers. Should either of the new vessels suffer a disaster during these flights similar to that suffered by the Shenandoah, the R3B, or the Dixmude, it is unlikely that any more work on airships would be undertaken ii: Britain. If the vessels prove successful, however, they will have the important advantage of being able to operate aii- services throughout the Empire without having to land in foreign territory. Thus, they would avoid the difficulties with which the London-India Imperial Airways service has had to contend. Their operation would not be dependent upon the goodwill of many foreign Governments.