BIG AIRSHIP PROJECTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18642, 21 May 1932, Page 7

BIG AIRSHIP PROJECTS.

R 100 COMMANDER. TO VISIT GERMANY. LONDON, April 10. Squadron-Leader R. S. Booth commander of the now dismantled R 100, who brought back the R JJ when she broke away Horn her moor-ing-mast at Pulliam, will t ,ei_ niany shortly to study airship development at Friedrlchshaven. lie will be tho guest of Dr. Eckcner, and will travel in the Graf Zeppelin •to Brazil and back during her next South American trip. Later he will visit the U.S.A. to keep in touch with airship progress there. Although the Air Ministry, to Yvnicn Squadron-Leader Booth Is still attached, are cutting airships out of their programme, a marked advance ! has been made in the development of i civil plans on an international eomi mcreial basis. Conferences' are being bold between Germany, Britain, and the American interests. •Between her four spring trips and . her six autumn ones across the Southern Atlantic, the Graf Zeppelin will come lo England this summer lor a short period of cruises, undertaken to give Britain a chance of observing ~ the usefulness of lighlcr-than-air ! craft. f I ; These trips, it is hoped, will allay j (he fears that have grown as the result of the disaster lo the jU-faled , R.lOl.

| International Capital. , Systematic consideration will be given by the Air Ministry to Dr. Eck- j ener, who last year surveyed with great care all the facilities at Cardington, and it is understood that feelers are already being made regarding the use of this Ane air base for civil airships. The new sister ship of the Graf Zeppelin, L.Z.128, will be completed this year, while plans are being considered which may result in a British airship being built in this country. •The project will be Ananced by British. German and American capital, and it is understood the ultimate aim is a Cardington-Karachi service. American airship development grows apace, and a sister ship of the naval airship Akron will bo ready tills year. As soon as she lias been launched a commercial vessel of slightly smaller dimensions will be laid down at the Goodyear dock, and this ship will be used for an express passenger service from New York to Honolulu.