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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0245.PDF
EVENTS are marching rapidly in the world of airships. Lord Montagu's accession to the Air Committee will give that body a wider view, and his advocacy of Zeppelins has already done much good. The new Admiralty rigid airship is announced to make its dibut at an early date, and much interest will attach to its doings. Since 1913 the French authorities have had a captured Zeppelin in their possession, and this affords invaluable data which our authorities most certainly ought to have availed them selves of. Very probably this obvious step has been taken, and if so there can be no excuse for the designers of the new ship should it prove a failure. The Supremacy of the Air- Even if it be equal to the latest type Zeppelin we shall not be completely satisfied. When we are fully entered upon our great programme for gaining the supremacy of the air, we must be in advance of Germany not only as regards aeroplanes, but in Zeppelins also. The people and the politicians are waking up to the fact that Ger many will not be wiped off the map permanently through this war, however badly she may be beaten or im poverished. With her industry and organisation she will rise again, and if we sink into weakness or inefficiency the Germans will be tempted to take their revenge. We may regard Prussianism as a malignant disease, which can only be repelled by nations which keep strong all the time. Some Specifications for a Super-Zeppelin. In the matter of airships it will be opportune now if we consider our policy, assuming that it is our earnest desire to excel Germany in this branch of warfare. On broad lines it may be said that we must aim to put into the air against each German Zeppelin a super-Zeppelin, using the prefix to indicate increased efficiency rather than greater dimensions. In war time it would not be wise to set forth in detail the differences which should exist between the two types of ships, but I can lay down a rough specification here by giving a few of the main requirements to which we must work. To attain superiority over the latest Zeppelins our builders might be set the following general specifi cations :— Length of ship.—Not to exceed 500 ft. Gas capacity.—Not to exceed 1,000,000 cubic feet. Armament load in full war trim.—Not less than 6 tons. Speed.—Maximum not less than 75 miles per hour in still air for one hour's run. Average speed for full range of travel.—50 miles per "hour in still air. Range of action in war trim.—Not less than 800 miles at 50 miles per hour average speed in still air. Engines.—Not fewer than three to be fitted ; any two giving average speed of 50 m.p.h. in still air. Flotation power.—A minimum height of 2,006 ft. to "e reached in full war trim. A raiding height of not less than 6,000 ft. with full munition load and half fuel load. HEARNE. Climbing power (with planes).—Up to 10,000 ft. with half fuel load and full munition load. Gas control.—Automatic gas control for fore and aft balancing of ship, for tilting, and for regulation of pressure. Reserve gas supply to be carried. Total gas supply to give flotation for 120 hours at mini mum of 2,000 ft. Multiple gas bag system to be employed. Here we have the outlines of a standard for working to. All the points are not within present achievement, and the ship which complied with them would well merit the title of super-Zeppelin. I am careful not to touch upon design, or engine power, although many interesting things could be said as to essential detail improvements. A Free Hand for Designers. Of course a still higher standard might be set in various respects by a Government desirous of arriving at the best in airship design. But a free hand must be left to designers as to the manner in which they will arrive at the results. In one respect, however, very stringent rules should be laid down, viz., protection against fire. Yet another point of great importance is the arrangement of the vital parts so that the ship could withstand some amount of peppering from shrapnel at long range, or at least maintain its buoyancy. For this reason the multiple gas bag system is essential in any design. Speed and climbing power, however, are the best guarantees of safety, and coupled with these might be quick manoeuvring power. The Zeppelins already possess this to a very considerable extent, and I have seen a ship baffle the gunners very cleverly by its agility in changing position and altitude. Rapid Manoeuvring- No aerial vessel is, indeed, unwieldy in manoeuvring, since every craft worthy of the name has the ability to climb or dive, as well as swing from side to side in the same plane. This factor alone greatly improves the protective powers of aerial vessels against gun attack from the ground. The Zeppelin, for example, by its aerostatic power can rise vertically like a bubble in a soda syphon. It can also drop vertically, assuming, of course, that the air is still and the ship not travelling. With wind or propellers at work, the direction of ascent or descent is very varied, to the great confusion of the gunner. Then again, by using its gas control system, the Zeppelin can climb by the aid of its planes. ® ® ® ® The " Zeppelin Line." ALTHOUGH the war put a stop to its regular activities, the German Passenger Airship Co., of Frankfort-on-Main, according to the annual report just issued, was occupied on the manufacture of parts for Zeppelins, and the gro;s earnings; for the year were £35,000, which will enable a substantial amount to 1* written off the deficit. Revenue was also obtained from the lease of the Company's sheds at Biden-Baden, Hamburg, Frankfort, Dresden and Potsdam, to the Government.
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