Landing of Graf Zeppelin

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 8, 6 September 1929, Page 31

Landing of Graf Zeppelin

R. ROBT. WHITH, of Takapuna, . sends an account of the landing | of the Graf Zeppelin at Los Angeles on August 26, which he received on short wave from station. KDKA relaying KFI (Los Angeles). 10.55 pm. (N.Z.: Just after 3 a.m. Pacific §.T. Jennings Pierce announcer gives account of flight- of Zeppelin until it circled Los: Angeles earlier in the evening. Music. from studios KDKA and KFT in interval of waiting. 11.25: Announcer gave an account of Pacifie- flight of the Southern Cross, 11,80 p.m. (N.Z.) he related the manand mentioned Warner and Lyon reception in California on their return. ; oeuvres of the 815 men of the Air Force, who will take up positions to assist in mooring the Graf. 11.40 to 12 midnight, musical items. 12.8 a.m. Tuesday: Anonuncer said it was just getting light now and descibed the surrounding ‘ground and remarked on shadows due to atmosphere, and that the (local) baby Zepp "Volunteer" was circling the flying ground (engine heard quite distinctly). The recep-. tion committee now are waiting at the reception mast. Zeppelin is now seen coming. Listeners are told about as black cat that came from Germany and walked ashore in.Tokio (Japan) | from the Graf while there. . Jennings Pierce announcer said "Dawn has arrived," and deseribed the landing ground, a square mile in extent, the crowd, cars, étc., waiting, and gaye a resume of account by Lieutenant B. W. Thomson, who earlier in the day eee -- --~--~s tab compen

first sighted Zepp ovet the ocean from his aeroplane. Police were keeping the crowd back from the landing ground. More music from KFTI studio. 12.2.2 am.: Graf Zeppelin then over airport and motors heard running. Announcer said that there was a slight haze rising off fields, and that he could count five: gondolas towards stern of airship. Whistles and sirens were going strongly. ‘The Zeppelin then circled very slowly over Los Angeles. ‘iveryone was watching tensely and dozens of aircraft were getting ready to go aloft for their day’s work. ‘The baby Zepp "Volunteer" still circled and led her big brother. The landing crew then took stations. There was not a single breath of air. 12.33: am. (N.Z. time): The nose of the big Zeppelin now pointed towards the mooring mast a mile away. A ‘trafic officer kept the crowd clear. "We can read the name painted in red letters on her sides," said the announcer. "Slowly this leviathan of the air is nosing down. She is now 200 feet up in the air. Time 5.11 a.m. Pacific 8.T. _It could not be a more perfect day for a landing, and she is quarter of a mile from the mast." 12.46 am. (N.Z.); "Men are now all around the ship, and she is throwing out ropes. Great excitement and noise among. the assembled people." The reception now became difficult, and I gave it up.