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Aviation History
1925
1925 - 0246.PDF
APRIL 23, 1925 R.33's NIGHT OUT BRITAIN'S one and only airship, the R.33, following theexample of her American cousin " Shenandoah," has had a night out—without even " by fyour leave." During thesevere gale which raged throughout April 16 the R.33 was torn away from the mast to which she was moored at Pulham,Norfolk, and in a damaged condition, with only a part of her crew on board, was driven rapidlyout over the North Sea. In spite of the worst possible conditions,however, she—thanks to the splen- did efforts of those on board, withFlight-Lieut. Booth in charge—she managed slowly but surely to over-come her difficulties and fight her way back safely to Pulham, after anabsence, full of anxiety for all con- cerned, of 30 hours. In many respects this " adven-ture " is very similar to that which occurred to the American rigidairship " Shenandoah " some time back, but in the case of the R.33 itwould appear that the damage caused by the break-away was farmore serious, so that the effort of navigating the airship safeh backto port was a feat of airmanship of which we may well be proud. Perhaps the most important factin connection with the whole affair, however, is that while, for thesecond time, the elements have endeavoured to bring disaster—andwhat has been held by many to be certain disaster—to the progress ofairships, this type of craft has again proved itself to be the victor.In fact, the airship has shown the world that it is by no means thehelpless, impracticable proposition that some would have us believe it is. There is one other feature of the R.33's exploit. Duringthe 30 hours' fight with the elements, the R.33 continued the good work which has been the reason for her new lease of life— viz., to test in actual flight certain vital calculations in regardto aerodynamical stresses on airships, etc.—and has been able to furnish the Air Ministry with some valuable information,which would have been impossible to obtain under normal conditions ! As Maj. Scott said : " It is an ill wind thatblows no one any good." R.33's ADVENTUROUS the airship. VOYAGE : Sketch-map of the route taken by Published by courtesy of The Times. The R.33 broke away from the mast at 9.50 a.m. onThursday, having up to that moment ridden the storm well, and a crew of 20 had just taken over. The latter, in addition toFlight-Lieut. R. S. Booth, First Officer, included Flight-Sergt. G. W. Hunt, R.A.F.. and the following civilian members of the HOME AGAIN [Photo '• Daily Mirror " Illustrations Bureau. R.33, with her nose crushed in, being held down by a ground party. 246
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