HOTEL IN THE AIR

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 212, 26 November 1927, Page 1

HOTEL IN THE AIR

COLOSSAL DIRIGIBLE BALL-ROOM AND LOUNGES TRANSATLANTIC SERVICE A COLOSSAL airship being built in England adds another marvel to the story of man’s conquest of the air. It will have a dining-room for 50 persons, and a promenade deck for dancing. Its interior is likened to that of a four-storeyed hotel. By Cable. —Press Association.— Copyright.

Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Friday. gUCH has been the progress with the Air Ministry’s RIOO at a lonely workshop on the East Yorkshire Plain, that it will be ready for its trials in four months. It is 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 from 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 deck, containing a dining room for 50 persons, and a kitchen fitted with an electric stove. From here two four-berth cabins open out. The third or promenade deck is glassed in, and is 43ft. by 14ft. There is a resilient dancing floor, the music for dancing being picked up by wireless. The promenade can comfortably accommodate 100 persons. The top storey consists of the re maining berths, and a lounge from

which the passengers can look info tile dining room and ballroom below. Radiators and fans are everywhere. The ship will be driven by 4,200-horse-power, and is provided with six Rolls-Royce-Conder engines. It has 35 petrol tanks, each holding a ton of petrol. Its top speed will be S 5 miles an hour. Its weight with passengers will be 156 tons, ana its cost is £450,000. It is anticipated that the transatlantic fare will be £IOO for a trip occupying 48 hours. A sister ship, RlOl, is being built at Car-

digan and is nearing the same stage of completion.—A. and N.Z.