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Aviation History
1911
1911 - 0460.PDF
l/OSdl rigidity of its envelope, which has an interior skeleton framework made of duralumin, the new light aluminium alloy. This frame work maintains the shape of the envelope, which is thus not dependent on the gas pressure as it is with airships of the non-rigid type that are intended to be capable of being folded for transport by land. Inside the framework of the envelope are seventeen balloons filled with hydrogen, each balloon forming a separate gas-tight chamber of its own, and if deflated by accident would not affect the others. Outside the framework is a covering of fabric, the appearance of which is somewhat distinctive owing to the upper part being silcer-grey and the lower half yellow in colour. The upper part is as far as possible a non-conductor of heat, and thus minimises the effect of the sun's rays on the expansion of the pas. The lower part, on the other hand, is a conductor of heat and thus facilitates the proper equalisation of temperature between the gas and the atmosphere to be carried on in a normal manner. In accord with the most modern theories of streamline form, the envelope is cylindrical in the middle, with tapering extremities. The nose is blunter than the tail. On the tail of the envelope or hull, as it may be termed because of its rigidity, are the directive organs, consisting of four stabilising fins (two vertical and two horizontal), two sets of quadruplane rudders, and two sets of triplane elevators. There is also an elevator under the bows, and another rudder right under the stern, these latter being both situated near to the cars. Beneath the hull are two 20 ft. cars or boats, joined by a gangway. In front, the engine drives two four- MAY 27, 1911. bladed propellers, carried on outriggers beneath the hull; at the stern there is a single two-bladed propeller. Water ballast is employed, and the estimated speed of the airship, is 40 m.p.h. For mooring purposes the bows of the airship are anchored to a mast rising from a kind of raft, which also carries a great net screen like a sail. The mesh of this screen is sufficiently- close to break down the force of the wind without being itself torn away in the process, and the anchorage is such that the airship and its screen can veer round so as to keep head-on to the wind. The airship is in charge of Capt. Sueter, who has under him Lieuts. Usborne and Talbot. The parent ship to which she is attached is- the cruiser " Hermione." It took 300 bluejackets less than an hour to haul the airship out of her shed and get her safely moored in Cavendish Dock in the early hours of Monday morning, May 22nd. To be precise the performance commenced at ten minutes past four, and was all over long before most people had waked from sleep. One of the most striking sights in connection with the launch was the sudden appearance of sailors on the very top of the envelope, where there is a prepared gangway, and access to which is obtained by .means of a rope ladder through the centre of the envelope itself. On Tuesday a fairly stiff breeze served to test the mooring arrangements reasonably, and the Naval officers, in order to watch her behaviour in the full strength of the 30-mile breeze, removed the protecting screen, the result being eminently satisfactory. An "eye "is kept upon her during the night by means of a search light. BRITISH Matters of Moment. A<;AIN this week in the Official Notices of the Royal Aero Club, on page 465, will be found many items of general interest to our readers. Salisbury Plain, at the request of the War Office, is to be included as a stopping place in the ^iOjOOO Daily Mai! prize, and particulars are given in regard to the arrangements made at many of the chief controls round Great Britain in this event. Some details as to the arrangements for viewing the Gordon-Bennett Race at Eastchurch are also published. Our Prize Model Scheme. FURTHER contributions have been received in connection with our Prize Model Scheme from the following;— C. W. Gore. P. W. Peel. Another Bristol for the Russian Army. THE Bristol biplane exhibited at the Russian Aeronautical Exhi bition at St. Petersburg has been purchased by the Russian War Office for the use of the Engineer Corps. This makes the ninth Bristol machine to be acquired by the Russian Army. Mr. Latham Visits Oxford by Aeroplane. IT was a happy thought of Mr. Hubert Latham to select his alma mater for the objective of his first cross-country trip in this country', and Oxonians were keenly appreciative of the honour thus conferred on them. Leaving Brooklands on the 19th inst. at five minutes past twelve, Mr. Latham was able to pilot his Antoinette monoplane by the aid of a Clift aeroplane compass and a special map over the 55 miles which separate Brooklands from Oxford in 65 minutes. Some of the aviator's friends at Oxford had been apprised of his starting and a crowd quickly gathered at Port Meadow to welcome him. After lunch, Mr. Latham returned to the Meadow and made several circuits accompanied by Mr. C. B. Gull, and then, at three minutes to six, Mr. Latham set out for his return to Brook lands. Unimpeded by a headwind such as somewhat slowed him on the outward journey, Mr. Latham came down at Brooklands- after a flight of 53 minutes. The weather was fine, and although there was a little mist about Mr. Latham said he was able to see for about ten miles. On arriving at Brooklands he was at a height of 1,000 feet, but when arriving at Oxford he was at about double that altitude. Flyers Visit Lord Northcliffe at Guildford. SUNDAY last was quite a field day for the Guildford district, as- a number of aviators, by invitation of Lord and Lady Northcliffe, made trips to Sutton Place, where a garden party was in progress. Mr. Grahame-White, with his mechanic as passenger, arrived from Hendon. Mr. Astley flew over from Brooklands for tea. Messrs. Snowden - Smith and Hewlett's machines were already there, occupying the middle of the ground, and so Mr. Astley was forced to land across it. The speed of the machine was so great that she was unable to pull up and ran over a brook, breaking three saplings, Mr. Pixton and the Avro biplane at rest for the night in Mr. England's proonrf^ at n,t,„mj w, ., xs A. May 7th and 8th, en route for Brooklands upon his return flight frZ Brighton afLth?r^n?R^ SR ^1^' Race. On the left the Avro anchored for the night, aid on°the Tigntready tr S surf next morn?ng.Bht°Q 462
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