FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0387.PDF
9. 1921 AT the invitation of the Air Ministry we were able, last week, to pay a visit to the Royal Airship Works at Cardington, near- Bedford, where we saw not only much of considerable interest in the way of airship construction, etc., but we also had an opportunity of inspecting the huge rigid airship " R. 38," or, having been purchased by the U.S. Government, " ZR. 2," as she will be known on the " other side." We were also fortunate in being able to inspect " R. 37 " under somewhat favourable conditions, this ship being alongside the other ship in " skeleton " form, very nearly completed. ZR.2" ("R.38") A Visit to the Royal Airship Works tion to castings. It has been used chiefly for experimentalwork which has resulted in the development of an aluminium alloy superior both in the cast and rolled form to any previouslyproduced. The workshops cost ^90,000, and are designed to employ up to 3,000 hands. An engine test house with waterbrakes for testing engines after repair, or, in special cases, before installation in the ship, has been erected during thelast year. There is also a hydrogen plant, of the blue water gas type,having a capacity of 200,000 cu. ft. per day of hydrogen at Before dealing with " ZR. 2 " we give the following brief particulars of the Royal Airship Works which we think will be of interest. These works were erected by the Government in 1916-17 for the use of Messrs. Short Bros, in building rigid airships. On the 1st April the works were taken over from Messrs. Short Bros, by the Air Ministry, and it is now the last survivor of the four rigid airship construction stations existing at the time of the Armistice. The airships built at Cardington were the " R. 31 " and " R. 32," both of 1,500,000 cu. ft. capacity, with a gross lift of 47 tons and a speed of 69 m.p.h., and of wood construction ; the " R. 37," which is similar to " R. 36 " and is practically finished ; and " R. 38." There is a well-equipped alloy plant, and rolling mills, which cost ^33,000, including producer gas plant. The alloy plant includes a foundry having a capacity of 2 tons per day OOOOOOOOOOO O The "ZR.2 " (R. 38) : ° A drawing of the O "ZR.2" (R.38) show- o ing the general lines. _ O OOOOOOOOOOO not less than 99.2 per cent, purity. It is also possible toproduce blue water gas for heating metal baths, muffle fur- naces, etc., throughout the establishment. On the aerodromeis a large airship shed and two wind screens. The size of the shed, internally, is 700 ft. long, 180 ft. wide, and no ft. highat the doors. The height at the doors can, at small cost, be increased to over 120 ft. for larger airships. The totalexternal width is 250 ft., and the overall height 145 ft. The aerodrome proper covers about 400 acres. The estab-lishment includes, in addition, administrative buildings ; electric sub-station for conversion of electric current suppliedby the Borough Corporation ; canteen and pay offices, etc. ; quarters for about 230 officers and men for use of handlingparties and crews during trial nights of airships. Adjoining the works is a model village (for employes, : ' • "Flight" Copyright THE "ZR.2 " (R.38) : The power wing cars, each containing a 350 h.p. Sunbeam "Cossack." On the left may be seen the forward, middle and aft port wing cars viewed from the front. On the right a rear view of the aft starboard wing car. " of aluminium alloy and which is used also for producing etc.), which includes 153 tenancies, a club and social hall, castings of gunmetal, etc. The rolling mill is designed for use The total cost of this village (without land) was £112,000. with aluminium alloys, and a rolling machine for forming Mention must also be made of the laboratory, equipped for channels, angles etc , for constructional work, and a draw current work of the establishment, and for research on matters bench for straightening these and for light work are provided. peculiar to airships. The whole plant was designed for a production of 3 tons a The design of R. 38 was decided upon by the Admiralty week of structural material for airship construction in addi- in the spring of 1918, and construction was started by Messrs. 387 D 2
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
