The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-05
Big Dirigible Probably Will
Make Trip This
Afternoon.
INVENTOR PLEASED
BY FIRST VICTORY
Airship Under Complete Control
Constantly-May Have Official
Test This Week.

Weather permitting, Capt. Thomas
F. Baldwin, skipper Of the big dlrigible
which proved such a success at its
launching party yesterday evening at
Fort Ayer, will make another trial
eight this evening Letween / and Z
O'Clock This trip is merely for the
purpose of studying the working Of the
rudder and steering planes, and getting
the engine III running order for the Of
fetal test, on which depends the &C
ceptance or rejection of the airship by
the Government
A more Jubilant man than Captain
Baldwin would be hard TO find today.
While all along he had expressed SUI
preme confidence in his invention, there
was stH an element Of uncertainty TO
be overcome. TIL, first trial over, and
the dirigibLe proving itself so respon-
s1ve, the nervous strain under which he
has worked for months has ended.
Guard the Airship.
A detachment of Signal Corps men
was detailed last night TO guard the big
airship, and now, as 1t reposes lightly
in the immense tent on the parade
grounds, it seems as though conscious
ef its own success. There is no uncer-
Sainty about il now. II only remains
for it to undergo a few slight changes,
the necessity of which were made ap-
parent during the flight yesterday, and
to give 1t a name.
No sparkling champagne dubbed over
the bow OF the air craft yesterday
There was no christening Many names
were suggested for IL yesterday how
the parade grounds to witness the
flight big Bill" Bill Tart, The
Eagle" and the Baldwin were a
few, but il accepted by the Government,
il probably Will carry the prOsalc name
plate, "DiTigible No J.
A new shaft will be installed during
the next few days, ana the steering
planes will be heightened. Mr.. Curtis
and Captain Baldwin anticipated that
the trial would prove that an addition
10 them would be advisable, and II did.
It will make it a little more responsive
in a heavier wind.
Plans Real Test.
Captain Baldwin said today that he
probably would make four or five more
trial flights before he feels ready for
the official test. It may be held before
the end Of the week, however. The Gov
eminent board is ready whenever Cap
tain Baldwin is.
Yesterdays flight will go down in
history as one Of the most successful
vet made by a dirigible balloon. With
Ar Curtis in charge Of the powerful III.
Tie engine and the clutch which worked
The steering planes ia the forward part
of the machine. and Captain Baldwin
guiding the tiller ropes in the rear, II
sailed about ike a huge bird
From the time Captain Baldwin, with
some temert y, he admitted later
cried out to the Signal Corps men e
Let her go, bays until the great
aIrship aIighted softly and easily al
the point where it left the earth, It was
under perfect control. Nothing could
be more responsive. more submissive
70 the viii OF its operators
Soaring two hundred feet into the
air. II paused for a moment. and then,
heading southwest, sailed majestically
of. the big propeller whirling Thyth-
micalIy TO the music Of the sputter1ua
little engine which worked like a charm
under the hand Of MT Curtis.
Five thousand pairs of eyes were nNed
ON the dirigible, as. like thing Of life.
IL SCARED and Dipped sailed straight
ahead, and turned almost in its own
length It clrcled around the great tent
from which f. had emerged half an
hour before. executed the figure eight
rising and falling IT, response to the
hand OF Mr.. Curtis on the steering plane
throttle