Great British Airship Will Soon Make Flight

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 594, 21 February 1929, Page 9

Great British Airship Will Soon Make Flight

A WONDER LINER FRAMEWORK COMPLETED (United Service) Reed. 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Wednesday. The Government airship RlOl, which is being built at Cardington. was yesterday privately visited, and the complete framework was seen for the first time. A visitor, interviewed, said it was staggering in its immensity. The old R 33 could easily fit inside, without touching anywhere. It is almost impossible to conjure up the improvement the RlOl represents over any other airship yet built. Every square inch marks an enormous advance, whether in framework, fabric, engines, or accommodation. The cabins and public rooms are now completed, and provide splendid comfort. The cabins are rather smaller than those of the average ocean liner, but they are well equipped, while the smoke rooms and dining saloon are roomy and very comfortable. The passengers’ quarters come first then the engines, and then the bridge, which is lowest instead of highest, as aboard a liner. An unusual feature is that one enters the airship through the nose from the mooring mast, through an unlifted flag, , walking along the corridors on each side within fabric. There will be many delays in. the launching, due to modifications and changes, but now the airship is so near completion that it will take the air in three months unless something most unforeseen occurs.