AERONAUTICS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 7 March 1913, Page 5

AERONAUTICS.

ARMY AIRSHIPS FLIGHT TO LONDON. Tlie Army airship Gamma on January 22nd made a, comparatively fast passage from Alders hot to London and back, manned for the first time on such a trip by a commander and crew from the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps. . For some time past the Naval and Military wings have boon using '..ho Gamma for practice purposes on alternate days. On tlie above date the seamen, in spite of a dense overhead fog, were manoeuvring over Aldershot from an early hour in the morning until 12.40 p.m. By that time the fog had lessened, and the Gamma, which had been .tethered down for •some minutes, was raised to a height of several hundred feet by means of its swivel propellers and "headed towards London. Commander E. A D. Masterman, R.N., commanding the Airship section of the Naval Wing, was in charge of the craft, and with him were Lieut. N. F. Usborno, R.N., and Lieut. H. L. Woodcock, 'R.N., and Four naval air mechanics. The airship, which was soon lost to view from Aldershot, passed over Brooklands at about a quarter-past 1 o'clock, at a height of about 400 ft. The Thames was crossed near Hampton Court. Palace. A mist which hung over London prevented tlie dirigible from being seen by many people, but she was reported over Wnlham green soon after 2'o'clock. On the return journey the Gamma crossed the Thames between Stained and Windsor, and again passed over Brooklands, arriving at Farnborottgh at 3.30 p.m.