DESIGNER PLEASED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 827, 22 November 1929, Page 9

DESIGNER PLEASED

PERFORMANCE OF AIRSHIP AT MOORING-MAST PRESSURE WITHSTOOD British Official 'Wireless Reed. 11.12 a.m. RUGBY, Thursday. The Air Minister. Lord Thomson, gave some interesting particulars j about the airship RlOl to the House lof Lords yesterday. He said she had ! been out of her shed for the last 19 [ days. Moored at her mast, she was exposed to far greater strains than when loose in the air. At the mast, the | whole of the strain due to wind presJ sure was at the nose. The wind rose to gusts of S 3 miles an hour while she j was moored, and a pressure at the I nose was recorded at 15 1-S tons, but ■ her strength was calculated to meet | a pressure of 30 tons at the nose, j If a pressure of 30 tons were ever ; reached, which was unlikely, the order would be given to “slip the ; ship.” because she was more capable ' of resisting wind pressure loose than i when tied. | 'file designer was extremely gratified with the ship’s behaviour. The postponed flight of the Parliamentarians would take place on Saturday if the weather was clear enough to make it enjoyable. He hoped for a wind of 45 miles an hour and bright sunshine. Lord Thomson said the second airship. the RIOO, would probably be ready next week, and would replace the HlOl at the Cardington mooringmast.