SKY PALACES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 November 1927, Page 5

SKY PALACES

NEARING COMPLETION. BRITAIN’S MAJESTIC AIRSHIPS. WORLD’S MOST POWERFUL LINERS. ’ (By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.! (Received 26, 8.55 a.m.) London, Nov. 25. Such has been the progress with the Air Ministry’s airship RlOO at the lonely workshop on East Yorkshire plain that it' will be ready for trials in four months. The RlOO will be the largest and most powerful in the world, twice the size of the biggest Zeppelin. The first public glimpse disclosed that the colossal framework, 700 feet long by 130 feet in diameter, has been completed. Into this has been built an amazing four-storey “hotel.” A gangway flfom the mooring mast leads to- a brilliantly lighted saloon 110 feet wide; ranged on three sides of this are the crew’s sleeping quarters, while immediately underneath is what might be called the “ground floor,” consisting of the control and navigating rooms. A wide staircase communicates with the next deek, containing a diningroom for 50 persons and a kitehen fitted with an electric stove. From here two four-berth cabins open out. The third, or promenade, deek is glassed in and a 42 by 14 feet resilient dancing floor is laid down, the music being picked up by wireless. The promenade can comfortably accommodate 100. top storfey consists of the remaining berths and lounge, from which passengers can look into the dining room and ballroom below. Electric radiators and fans are everywhere. The ship will bo driven by 4200 horse-power and is provided with six Rolls Royce-Condor engines and 35 petrol tanks, each holding a ton of petrol. Its top speed will be 85 miles an hour and the weight, with passengers, will be 156 tons. The cost is £450,000. It is anticipated that the transAtlantic fare will be £lOO for the trip, occupying 48 hours. A sistdr ship, RlOl, is being built at Sardigan and is nearing the same stage of completion.