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Aviation History
1920
1920 - 0413.PDF
APRIL 15, 1920 A SPORTING DIRIGIBLE INASMUCH as free ballooning has proved to be a sport of considerable popularity in the past, there is no reason why "dirigible ballooning," by aid of the small power-driven dirigible, should not be equally—if not more, popular in the future. It is true that the cost of this newer form of sport is going to be somewhat higher, but then to balance this is the added advantage of being able to choose any desired 40 h.p. water-cooled engine driving a pusher screw.JjTheoverall length of the envelope is only 95 ft., and the capacity is 35,000 cub. ft. (7,000 cub. ft. ballonet). The useful liftas measured on trials, was 935 lbs., including passengers, ballast, anchor, drag rope, parachutes and fuel. (Barometer,28-7 in., temperature—3 deg. Cent., gas purity 98 -5 percent., envelope pressure, -I in.). % Side view of the Goodyear " Pony Blimp " destination and get there in much less time than one would in a free balloon. During the War much has been learnt about the dirigible, and we have no doubts as to the practical possibilities of the " dirigible balloon." Already successful trials have been made in America by the Goodyear Company with what is, we believe, the smallest airship in the world. A brief description, with illustrations, of this " Pony Blimp," as it is called, appears in our American contemporary Aviation, and should be of interest to our readers. The Goodyear " Pony Blimp " is non-rigid, with external rigging in the form of finger patches, which support a single streamlined car. Propulsion is effected by means of an Ace Under assumed worst conditions at sea-level of 95 deg. Fahi.and 97 per cent, purity (or 85 deg. Fahr. and 95 per cent, purity) it would have a net lift of, approximately, 700 lbs.This would be enough for one man and full fuel (10 hours), or two men and half fuel, with still plenty of reserve for alight wireless set. A small overload, up to 50 lbs., can be- carried dynamically without particular difficulty, providingit is in readily dispensable form. Besides the useful load proper as above listed, there is some 40 lbs. of water ifi theradiator, and about 20 lbs. of other material which could^be used as ballast in an emergency. In its trials the ship handled very easily and conveniently, ELEVATION OF THE GOODYEAR " PONY BLIMP ": 1. Envelope ; 2. Ballonet ; 3. Rip panel ; 4-5. Rippanel cord ; 6. Nose mooring line ; 7. Nose grip lines ; 8. Car ; 9. Car suspension ; 10. Side grab line ; 11. Centre grab line ; 12. Rear grab line ; 13-14. Gas valve ; 15. Air valve ; 16. Fin brace wires ; 17-18. Finbrace patches; 19. Inflation sleeve and cover; 20. Petrol tank; 21. Petrol tank sling; 12. Air scoop; 23. Licence number • 24. Rudder control line; 25. Rudder emergency line; 26. Elevator control line; 27. Landing bumper ; 28. Motor; 29. ^rag rope 413 D 2
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