BRITISH AIRSHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 133, 2 December 1929, Page 12

BRITISH AIRSHIPS

RIOO AND RlOl

COMPARATIVE SURVEY

British Official Wireless.

ETJGBT, 29th November.

The EIOO, the second of the two new British airships which was constructed by the Airship Guarantee Company,, has just been handed over to the Air Ministry for flying trials. It is claimed that she will have a better performance than the RlOl, in that she will travel faster and carry a more useful load. This is partly attributable to the use of petrol as fuel instead of heavy oil. The use of petrol enables light weight aero engines to be used, and the airship has a power equipment of six Bolls Royee Condor engines of 660 to 700 horse power, giving a total horse power of 4200, against 2340 horse power for forward progression in the 8101.

The designers claim that the 8100 ■will have a top speed of 80 miles an hour, and a -ange of 3000 miles at a cruising speed of 70 miles an hour. Decreasing the speed to 50- miles an hour would increase .the maximum range hi still air to 5000 miles. Provision has been made for the- installation ofs extra tanks, bringing the fuel ■weight airborne up to 51 tons. The 8100 should then, at the most favourable- cruising speed, but with only an operating crew, have a range of nearly 10,000 miles, jr sufficient 'to reach Australia from England without refuelling.

In the RIOO the passengers and crew, about 150, are accommodated in three ■decks situated ju3t forward of amidships. Living md sleeping space for 100 passengers, are carried on the two upper dee'is, the lower of which has verandahs and a dining-room to seat 50 at one time.

The RlOl was moved from the mooring mast and housed in the hangar ■without incident, after ' three-quarters of an hour's work. It is understood it ■will be deflated, overhauled, and examined with a view to modifications to increase its lifting capacity.