New-York tribune., 1907-10-07
GERMAN AERIAL WORK.
Three DirigibLe Balloons and Their
ReSuttS-THe AeropIanc.

Berlin. Oct. 6-The science of aerial navigation,
at least in Germany has reached a point where
many or the most prominent Investigators ask
ing themselves in which direction they shall pur-
sue their experiments The problem of steering is
satisfactorily solved but there remains the inn
portant question of the conquest of the contrary
currents OF the air. and this raises the issue be-
tween the advocates of Tighter than the air. and
heavier than the air" Balloons foated with gas
are generally regarded here s having nearly at
tanned the final stage of their possibilities. and
the results. although marvellous in comparison
with those of five years ago. leave much 10 be
achieved
All three systems. the rigid the sem-rigld and
the heXiOle represented respectively by the steer
able balloons Of Count Zeppelin, the German army
aeronauts and Major Won Parseval. are still being
tested. All have shown that in light winds and
otherwise favorable weather they may be steered
and manoeuvred with great facility. Not of
them. however. has on any occasion ventured into
the air when a strong wind was blowing, for the
good reason that their steersmen are aware OF
their weak motive power. The greatest speed at
tained by any of them. and this applies also to
French balloons has not exceeded in round figures
twenty-eiSht miles hour though the Zeppelin Is
said to have made thirtythree thirty-four miles
an hour
The cigar shape maintains its favor but the ma
terial of construction. which. 1t is argued de-
pends the capacity of the balloon to remain in the
air. is varied. In Zeppelns balloon the envelope IS
entirely Of aluminium. covered with silk and rub
ber; In the military ership the lower part of the
main body Of the envelope is of metal covered
with silk and rubber. the ends and the upper part
being of ordinary balloon material. while Won
Parsevals balloon is entirely composed of flexible
material similar to that used IN spherical bal
looms
The voyages of the Parseval and military bal
looms, well Of the French airships. all of
which either semi-rgid flexible, have been
limited to slightly over three hours. owing TO the
forward end of the envelope gradually collapsing
through the escape of gas, thus presenting a con-
cave surface to the direction in which the balloon
Is steered and preventing progress. On the other
hand, the Zeppelin even after the escape of q con-
siderable quantity of gas. retains its shape
Count Zeppelin asserts that he attain speed
of about thirtyfour miles hour with the motor
working at full pressure His further trials are
awaited with the greatest interest for with such a
speed according to meteorological averages. which
show that ninety days OF every hundred
the wind does not exceed thirty miles hour. he
would be able to ascend and navigate against it
successfully. At a high altitude hts ballon would
be able to pass over an enemy's camp without
ming much danger. as owing to its construction in
twelve or fourteen separate compartments.
should several be pierced by shot and collapse. the
metal envelope would not change it's shape. Tho
other drigible balloons do not possess this advan
taEe. The military balloon IS built on the lines Of
the Patrie. the envelope compartment. The
balloon at present in use which contains 1S00 cubic
metres OF gas IS intended only as a model for
larger airships in case the authorities decide
adopt the system.
The Parseval balloon. which has shown such
wonderful powers OF navigation IN calm weather,
has the same disadvantages the military balloon
II is constructed somewhat differently. in tine en-
velope containing the gas being fixed two small
balloons IN frcnt the other In the rear, which.
when the other is pumped full OF air by the
motor. change the equilibrium and permit the bal
loon TO ascend or descend. The envelope contains
$500 cubic metres OF gas.
The only serious German inventor OF a hyinG
machine heavier than air. Is Herr Karl Jatho Of
Hanover. He has constructed remarkable aero
plane. composed OF six sails "a horizontal steering
sail, horizontal mainsail. vertical fixed sails
and two vertical steering sails). wind propeller
and basket or platform. carrying i2-horsepower
motor. The equilibrium OF the aeroplane is main
ta!ned by the horizontal steering sail. which
trolls the raising lowering OF the fore part OF the
machine. The two vertical steering sails serve TO
direct the by spreading furns one or the
as they called. keep the aeropane TO speak.
wheels affixed beneath the platform. the front ono
movable in any direction. put in motion against
the wind by OF the motor at the tiIne
the wind propeller. and the aeroplane along
the ground until II obtains sufficient way for tho
pole Of the horizontal steering wheel TO be raised
against the wind. The mansai then fills and the
aeroplane rises into the air where II Is kept float
ing by the vertical fixed sails. Should tho motor
working from accident other cause. tho
mainsaH is large and strong enough to act a
parachute. Herr Jatho asserts that his aeropane
IS capable OF attaining n speed OF fcrty-1lve miles
hour.