Omaha daily bee., 1908-11-08

unsatisfied dream of the old-fashioned
flexible balloon as a perfectly dirigible air
craft,
1t mounted a motor of over forty horse
power-a stronger motor than had ever
before been placed aboard a balloon. Much
careful thought had been given to the
question of steering, and the rudder was
not only placed most advantageously. but
1t was also helped by stationary planes.
AS an intultIve anticipation of Renard's
discovery large horizontal planes were pro-
vided for steadying purposes.
Indeed, they were not only in the most
efficient position, but they also served to
stiffen the balloon. That feature elimi-
mated the necessity for a long frame, the
car being not larger than that of a spher-
zeal balloon. Much needless air resistance
was thus disposed Of.
The ship soon developed great speed pos
sibilities, but only by the addition of the
Renard planes at the rear end could the
best results be realized. When the gov
eminent later placed orders for the two
new L~ebaudys which have since been con-
structed, the Patrie and the Republique,
the only improvements made were to add
stronger motors and more spacious cars.
In the meantime another big successful
French airship had appeared, all the more
interesting because it represented a very
different type. Originally planned as an
imitation of Santos-Dumont's craft by his
friend, NJ. Deutsch de la Merthe, it got
rid of the shortcomings Of the original
model, thanks to the cleverness with which
its designer, Mr.. Kapferer, availed him
self of all the valuable data which Colonel
Renard had then just given TO the world.
Instead of steadying planes there was a
row of gas inflated tubes at the rear end
Of the bag, serving efficiently the same
end. Renard had himself suggested this
idea He had also planned the large
Renard propeller in front, like that Of La
France. In appearance it had a trim,
shiplike effect.
This craft, named Vile de Paris, after
making a number of pleasure trips with
guests, including women. was presented tc
the French government.
Enough has already been said about the
Zeppelin airship to point out that it is de.
cidedly In a class by itself, Really it ii
by far the simplest d~irigible because its
principle eliminates at the outset all thosC
ingenious compromises by which the in,
herent weakness of the common balloon
made into a selt-moving craft had to bC
overcome. The Zeppelin improvements con,
cerned chiefly stronger motors, greater dis
placement, larger rudder area and thu
placing of these rudders.
Incidentally the accommodations for pas.
sengers were gradually made more spacious
by connecting the two cars, or rather en-.
CINE rooms with an enclosed gallery anC
building a regular Widowed cabin in tn,
center of the latter. In many successful
airships the Zeppelin has carried a mum
Der Of passengers, chiefly on that mos
enjoyable air voyage Of twelve hours
drought the wonderland of the Swts
mountains and lakes.
Other German balloons are also interest
ing. In so far as they overcome the diff
culties OF the French in an original fash
ion. The reason why so far all elongated
gas bags required a long frame as a hell
toward keeping them in shape was IN,
necessity OF bringing the car we'll up I,
the bag TO prevent 1t from swinging tn
whole fabric like a pendulum. Major vor
Parseval invented a strikingly clever de
vice for completely eliminating this objeo.
ton and making a low suspension possible
His balloon y Stiffensd solely by ga