Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-23
MAY FLY NEXT WEEK
Capt. BaIdwin's Airship Ar
rives at RosIyn
OWNER IS EXPECTED SOON
Frame to Be Unpacked by the Bal
loon Squad This Afternoon.
SOME NEW IDEAS INTRODUCED
Army and Navy officers and Foreign
Legation Attaches Interested
in Coming Tests.
OWNER IS EXPECTED SOON
SOME NEW IDEAS INTRODUCED

Capt. Baldwins aeronaut. or dirigible
balloon, built for the army. is now at
Roslyn. Va 1t probably will make it's ini-
tial fight early next week. The balloon
| squad of the Signal Corps under the d.
rection of Lieut.. Benjamin D. Foulois,
will unpack the framework this afternoon
| and Capt. Baldwin is expected within a
few days.
| The airshp is similar to Capt. Baldwin's
| California Arrow, but has several new
| features. Planes will be used to give
euilibrium when counter-currents are en-
countered and to meet the exigencies
caused by the contraction or expansion of
the gas bag. Capt Baldwin also has in
PRODUCED into his machine some new ideas
in regard to the position and shape of
! the rudder.
The gas bag is about one hundred feet
from tip to stern. Capt. Baldwin will use
| his own hydrogen plant for generating the
gas to be used for initiating the balloon.
| Within the gas bags are two balloonets,
intended to counterbalance the alterations
| in bulk due to the variation of atmos-
pheric pressure These balloonets are con-
| nected with a centrifugal blower by means
of which a constant air pressure will be
maintained within them. This idea is
| carried out in the large new French di-
|
Weight and Speed Requirement.
According to the contract, Capt Bald
wins balloon must carry two persons hav-
| ing a combined weight of $50 pounds, in
addition to 100 pounds of ballast. The
balloon. during the speed test must main
! tain an average of twenty miles per hour
in still air. The speed accomplished dur
ing the trial flight will be determined by
taking an average of the time over a
measured course of five miles against and
with the wind. The time will be taken by
flying start. passing the starting point
at full speed at both ends of the course.
The test will be subject to additional de-
tails which Chief Signal Officer Allen may
prescribe.
This proposed method of determining
the speed of the airship has been severely
criticised by several aeronauts. 1t is
claimed that the specified method Of de-
termining the speed Is theoretically in
correct, because 1t is based upon an erro-
neous method of obtaining an average.
AS the wind in all flying devices blows
squarely from the front. it is said, an
by the use Of an thermometer. previously
Celebrated for small errors. In order to
overcome any objection it is believed
that particularly calm days will be Sc
lected for the three speed tests which are
to be allowed the inventor.
The question OF proper method of
securing the average speed of the ma
chine is of vast importance. as Capt |
Baldwin will receive Is per cent over and |
above the contract price-$6, 75O-for each
additional mile per hour attained in the |
speed trial. If less than sixteen miles
per hour is averaged the machine will be |
rejected.
Endurance Trials.
Capt Baldwin also will be allowed |
three trials for endurance. in which he |
will be required to travel continuously |
for two hours at an average speed Of at
least 10 per cent of what the airship ac- |
complishes during the trial flights for
speed. A most important requirement Is |
that which: prohibits balancing by the
aeronaut changing his position. This |
has been the general means Of maintain |
tried in this country. Lincoln Beachey |
remained in the air forty minutes during |
fight which he made at the jamestown |
exposition last summer. This is thought |
to be the record for endurance in this |
country, but Capt Baldwin will have to |
remain aloft five times as long.
When the tests are made army and |
navy Officers and attaches Of foreign lega-
tons will be present to witness them. |
Nearly every naval officer stationed |
in Washington who can get out to Fort |
Myer will be there to see the trials" said |
Admiral Mason. acting secretary of the |
navy. today. Il will be there myself"
Gen. Allen will designate the day upon |
which the trials are to be made. but his |
selections will be subject to the weather |
conditions at the time. and the aeronaut |
strate the success of his machine.