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Aviation History
1932
1932 - 0844.PDF
FLIGHT, AUGUST 19, 1932 A NEW GERMAN AIRSHIP £.—N ERMANY has, on previous occasions, produced a m\ J few successful small airships, in addition to the ^1_J|J large rigid Zeppelin airships. Just recently a new small airship, type Parseval-Naatz P.N.30, was made by the Wasser-und Luft-Fahrzeug G.m.b.H. of Seddin. This airship has been developed largely upon the experiences gained with a previous small airship produced by the Parseval firm, the P.N.28, several modifications and improvements having been introduced in the P.N.30. Prior to and during the war, the Parseval-Naatz airships were of the non-rigid type, but in the smaller airships the semi-rigid system has been adopted. The new P.N.30 is of this latter type, having a length of 46 m. (151 ft.), a diameter of 10.8 m. (35 ft. 6 in.), a height of 16 m. (52 ft. 6 in.), and a volume of 2,600 m.3 (91,832 cu. ft.). In spite of its small size this airship has most of the modern fittings hitherto confined to the larger rigid air ships, and as a result it has been possible to improve the performance and reliability of this little airship. The P.N.30 has a very favourable drag coefficient. The keel of the P.N.30, which also serves as the catwalk or passage, is within the envelope, and is built up of a series of detach able and interchangeable struts, so jointed that a certain movement in the vertical plane is provided. The rear end of the keel is developed into a cruciform to take the tail surfaces, and it is possible to walk along the full length of the keel to the tail and so carry out any adjust ments or repairs to the latter. The catwalk has a height of 1,8 m., and contains all the necessary fittings, tanks, etc. Attached directly to the keel is the car, of streamline shape, in front of which is the control cabin. In the centre is a cabin accommodating five passengers, and at the rear is a 115 h.p. Siemens type Sh.14 7 cyl. engine, which is fitted with an electric self-starter. The envelope, having a fineness ratio of 4.4, consists of a very strong double cotton fabric with a strong inter mediate gumming. The fabric is claimed to be un affected by atmospheric conditions, enabling the airship to remain for long periods in the air. It has been usual practice in semi-rigids to maintain a uniform pressure in the envelope by means of an uninter rupted flow of air through the balloonet, and the gas valves. In the P.N. 30 the pressure adjustment is, for the first time, carried out automatically, by means of a pressure regulator, a distributor box, and a blower. The pressure regulator consists of a membrane, attached to the envelope, connected by levers to the inlet and exhaust valves of the distributor box in such a manner that when the pressure rises, the membrane causes the exhaust valve to open and the air to escape into the open. If the pressure falls below a certain limit, the exhaust valve is closed and the inlet valve opened, air from the blower thus being allowed to enter the balloonet. The operation of the gas valves is also automatic, so that a constant and uniform pressure is always maintained, thus simplifying considerably the control of the airship. The P.N.30 has already flown successfully, and develops a speed of 80 k.p.h. (49.75 m.p.h.), has a useful lift of 1,000 kg. (2,205 lb.), with fuel for 12 hr. duration, or a range of 1,000 km. (620 miles). 5S §2 SI A LATE ENTRY: The Raab-Katzenstein type 25-32 (Argus engine) arrived at Staaken for the International Touring Competition at the eleventh hour, and the entrants had to pay double fee. The machine is fitted with the new Ksoll slots and camber gear, and is reported to have a speed range of 150-37 m.p.h., or more than 4:1! 788
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