BRITAIN'S AERIAL FLEET.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 578, 5 August 1909, Page 5

BRITAIN'S AERIAL FLEET.

'' —u- '■ AEROPLANE AND BALLOONS. THREE DIRIGIBLES FOR ARMY, ONE FOR NAVY. (By (Telcsrapn.-FrcE» Association.— Oopyrl.ht.l Londont August 3. Experiments with Wright's aeroplane will be started at Aldershot shortly. Mr. R. B. Haldane, Secretary for War, stated m the House of Commons that the firm of Vickers; Sons, and Maxim was constructing a very large dirigible: balloon of 'the Zeppelin type for tho Admiralty, capable of carrying twenty persons. i The Army, lie added, would shortly have three dirigible balloons, including ; the one presented to the nation by. the "Morning Post." The Estimates would enable the Admiralty to spend £35,000 and the Army £36,000 during the coming year. ■ Replying to criticism by Opposition members, that Britain was behind other nations ia balloon invention, Mr. Haldane-explained that flying machines were very simple, and 'it was impossible to keep designs secret. There was therefore no cause for anxiety. OPTION OVER NEW-MACHINE. . In announcing that it has secured .for the British nation the option of purchase of a new and up-to-date Clement-Bayard dirigible balloon now being built in France, the Parliamentary Aerial Defence Committee thus describes tho craft: The ship, which is now approaching completion, will bo of 227,500 cubic feet capacity, fittec with two propellers and driven by two motors each of about 220-h.p. Each propellor can b< ono engine, with devices for reducing and re versing gear. . ' . The balloon will carry twenty-five passengers *nd the speed will be between thirty-five am forty miles per hour. It can ascend ovei eOOOft., and is designed to carry supplies am petrol for nearly 700 miles. Before tho conclusion of the present Pnrlia mentary session an attempt will be made ti sail from Paris to London. The balloon is o the non-rigid type.