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Aviation History
1921
1921 - 0388.PDF
JUNE 9, 1921 Short Bros., at Cardington, in November the same year. Later, in April, 1920, when the Air Ministry took over the works, work was continued by the Ministry. " " R. 38 " is the largest rigid yet constructed in any country. Its capacity is larger by some 300,000 cu. ft. than that of the ex-German airship " L. 71." (See FLIGHT, February 3, 1921.) " R. 38 " was designed for naval purposes, first considera- tion being given to the attainment of the greatest possible ceiling—the experience of Germany in the use of airships for scouting and night raiding having demonstrated the necessity for the ability to climb rapidly to high altitudes. Total lift under normal 83 tons, conditions Total h.p. Engines Normal crew (officers and men) Armament 2,100. 6 Sunbeam35O h.p, 28-30. Cossack " of The construction of " R, 38 " marks indeed a very definite advance in British airship practice as it is the first ship of purely British design and not merely a copy of previous German ships—if exception be made of " R. 80." The story of German progress in rigid airships during the War is mainly a record of ever-increasing efficiency gained by constructional improvements to reduce weight both as regards hull and machinery, culminating in. the production of the " L. 70 " class, which was capable of rising to about 24,000 ft. The class to which " R. 38 " belongs, and of which it was to be the pioneer, was intended to consist of four airships. Before work on them had progressed far the Armistice 14 Lewis guns. 1 i-pdr. automatic. 4 520-lb. bombs. 6 230-lb. bombs. OOOOOOOO O O o The "ZR.2 " (R.38): O The forward control o and wireless car. This car is attached directly to the hull, ° and is not fitted with O a power plant. O "Flight" Copyright O o o o 0000 0000 The disposable lift, i.e., the useful lifting power available for petrol and oil, crew, stores, armaments, ballast, etc., as originally designed, was in excess of 50 tons as against 30 tons in the case of " R. 33 " and " R. 34," but some reduction of this figure will follow from various additions which have been made, such as bow mooring gear to permit of the airship being moored to a mast. " R./38 " will carry, when fully equipped for service, about 30 tons of petrol, which is sufficient for a flight at full speed (70 m.p.h.) of 5,000 miles, or at cruising speed (60 m.p.h ) of 6,500 miles, which is equal to the distance from the British Isles to Japan. O o o o o o o o o o o o- o oo o o 000000000000 The " ZR.2 " (R.38) : A view looking up under the tails of R38 (left) and R.37 (right). The former is being covered with fabric. "Plight" Copyright OOOOOOOOOOOO intervened, and the other three airships of the class werecancelled. r, The mam dimensions and characteristics of " R. 38 " areas follows :— Length .. .... 695 ft. ". " \Diameter .. .. 85 ft. 4 ins. Capacity .. .. 2,700,000 cu. ft. In general principles the hull structure follows the-standard type as employed in Zeppelins, and previous " R" types. There are, however, numerous alterations in detail resulting in -a considerable saving of structural weight. The framework is of Duralumin, and consists of the usual longitudinal lattice girders connected by transverse circumferential girders. There are 14 main gas compartments, containing the gas bags 388
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