The copper era and Morenci leader., 1917-12-14
CAPTURED 'zEP' IS
 A WONDER CRAFT
French and American Officers Make Thorough Investigation
 of Machine.
WHEEL WOUNDED TO SCENE
Several Hundred Americans, Com manded by an Aviation Officer, Are Learning AirpIane construe-
 tion in Practical Way.

Field Headquarters of the Ameri- can Army in France.-The stray Zep- pelin, L-49, that was downed by the French near Bourbonne-les-Bains, while trying to get back to it's base, was 600 feet long and the envelope was 60 feet in diameter.
 French and American officers made a thorough examination of the great craft. but the civilians were held back by ropes that were stretched around the dirigible.
 sThe gondo1as are connected by a cleated cock-walk and the whole con- struction of the craft was said by her examiners to be wonderful. The outer cover is of delicate texture, double riveted and soldered. She was equipped with wireless outfit.
 Gun In Each GondoIa.
 The machinery is highly compli- cated and the driving motors were equipped with IF cylinders. There was a machine gun in each of the gondolas and the rear one was equipped with hammocks for the crew. Apparently, however, the for ward gondola was fitted up as . cabin for the commander. The lower portion was painted black and the upper part a dull gray. On one side was painted a small iron cross.
 There were no bullet holes visible in the craft, but the forward gondola had been wrecked in descent.
 It has already been suggested that the craft be sent to the Invalides Palace in Paris.
 After inspecting the balloon the American officers were returning to town just as the Zeppelin's prison cred crew was being transported through the crowded streets.
 The commanding lieutenant looked downhearted and disgusted. Another officer was a typical old Prussian non-com with a scar on his nose as though made by a sword welt. The men were we'll built and wore leath- CT Jackets.
 It was reported here that another Zeppelin was captured several kilo- meters away when the forward gon- dola crashed into a tree, dumping part of the crew to the ground. The rose, tilted unsteadily and caught fire. =
 The Zeppelin brought down intact near here carried only incendiary bombs, apparently for the purpose of self-destruction in the event of cap ture. All the explosives evidently had been dropped in England.
 The French evidenced the greatest interest in the prize, and many in chairs.
 Learn to Make Planes.
 Several hundred Americans, com manded by an aviation officer, are learning airplane construction in the most practical way possible at "a French camp a few hours ride from General Bullard's student avi- alton school.
 French planes of all types wrecked or damaged at the front are shipped to this camp and are taken apart by the Americans under French in- structors. They are learning how to make repairs and to build new mo- tors as well. Each student spends half a day learning the theory of airplane construction and the other half in actual shop practice taking down motors of all types and rebuild ing them.
 The French instructors frequently remove a piece of the mechanism and then ask the American what is miss ing. Similar instruction is given in assembling machines. When this educational training is completed the men enter the factory. where ma chimes are built until they are ex- perts in all lines of airplane con-