The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-03
BLIMPS
They Can Give the Zeps
Cards and Spades and
Still Win Easily. They re
Made in the U. S. A.

The recent award of a government
contract for the construction of two
of the Blimp type dirigibles, the total
number bid upon by the B. F. Good
rich company, developed the interest
ing fact that this big Akron rubber
company has for number OF years
been conducting experimental work
In both the manufacture of balloon
fabrics and in the building of dirig-
ibles and kite balloons.
The potentially of the dirigible has
been. more strongly emphasized dur
ing the past two years and hall u
the European war. The possibilities
for defensive purposes have grown
in excess of those for offensive, par
ticularly for aircraft Of the Bl1mp
type which embody the combination
of balloon and aeroplane principles
but with distinct advantages over
both of these individually. The great
dominance OF the Blimp diriSible lies
in it's ability to ascend with the casa
of the common balloon, remain sta
tionary as it does, or move about al
the will of the pilot with the aid OF
the powerful propeller driven by a
gasoline motor. This motor is capa.
BILE OF driving the huge aircraft 40
miles per hour, and is mounted for
ward in the car.
When the Goodrich company re
gently offered its immense resources
to the United States government in
the event of war there were but few
who had any conception OF their vast
ness. This voluntary offer, however
was prompted by the invaluable aid
which the French factories of the
Goodrich company have been since
they were taken over by the French
government early in the war. The
French engineers who are now IN
charge of the dirigible building at the
Goodrich plant were called to Amer
lea with the consent Of the French
government, long before the recent
order for the Blimps were awarded.
The shape of the envelope OF the
Blimp dirigible somewhat resembles
that OF a cigar. The entire length,
from tip to tip will be 100 feet and
the maximum diameter 31.5 feet, but
the maximum width over the tail fins
will be 3e.2 feet. This huge envelope
will displace 1900 cubic feet.
Suspended from the envelope will
be rigidly built car, spacious enough
to carry a pilot, an, observer, the nee
essary accessories for determining
altitude, speed, ETC., and a 100 horse
power gasoline motor of the latest
improved type. Provision is also
made for carrying ballast. which,
when thrown out will enable the d.
rigible to reach an altitude of $500
feet with safety. These dirigibles
are to be so constructed that the
maximum speed of As miles per hour
Is attainable at an altitude OF 600
feet, and this speed may be maintain
ed for ten hours. They can also en-
dure sixteen hours Of flying at the
cruising speed Of 35 miles per hour,
which permits a rang Of $50 miles.
In spite Of all Of these accomplish
ments, one Of these air giants weighs
but 5,275 pounds, and this includes
even the weight Of the pilot and CO.
server and their equipment.
Both of these dirigibles, for which
the Goodrich company is under con
tract with the government, will be
built complete in the Akron factories,
SO that when they reach their des-
tination they will be ready for i'm.
mediate trial flights.