Rl00 MORE SPEEDY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 9

Rloo MORE SPEEDY

SECOND GREAT AIRSHIP HANDED OVER

80 MILES AN HOUR CLAIMED British Official TVlrcieaa RUGBY, Saturday. The RIOO, 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 do better 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 lightweight aero engines to be used, and she has a power equipment of six Rolls-Royce Condor engines, of 660 to 700 horse power, giving a totai horse power of 4,200. as against 2,340 horse power for forward progression in the RlOl. RANGE OF 3,000 MILES The designers claim that the RlOl will have a top speed of 80 miles an hour, and a range of 3.000 miles at a cruising speed of 70 miles an hour. A decrease in speed to 50 miles an hour would increase the maximum range in still air to 5,000 miles. Provision has been made for the installation of extra tanks, bringing the fuel weight airborne up to 51 tons. RIOO should then at the most favourable cruising speed, with onlv an operation crew, have a range of nearly 10,000 miles, or sufficient to reach Australia from England without refuelling. RlOl PUT IN HANGAR In the RIOO the passengers and crew, numbering about 150, are accommodated in three decks, situated just forward of amidships. The living and sleeping space for 100 passengers is on two upper decks, the lower of which has verandahs and a diningroom to seat 50 persons at one time. The RlOl was moved from the mooring mast today and housed in its hangar without incident, after threequarters of an hour's work. It is understood the airship will be deflated and overhauled, and then examined with a view to modifications which will increase its lifting capacity.