The Holly chieftain., 1917-04-13
NEW pIRIoIBLEs ARE UNDER
WAY
Goodrich Company Rushss Con-
struetion Of Two Blimps for
Navy Department

of two of the Blimp type Olrleipies'
the total number bid upon the
B.F. Goodrich Company, developed
the interesting 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 dirigibles and
kite balloons.
The potentially of the dirigible
has been more strongly emphasized
during the past two years and
half of the European war. The
possibilities for defensive purposes
have grown in excess of those for
offensive, particularly for aircraft
of the Blimp type which embody
the combination of balloon and
aeroplane principles but with dis
tinct advantages over both of these
individually. The great dominance
Of the Blimp dirigible lies in its
, ability to ascend with the ease OF
the common balloon, remain sta
tionery as it does, or move about at
the will of the pilot with the aid OF
the powerful propeller driven by
gasoline motor. This motor is
capable of driving the huge air
craft As miles per hour, and is
mounted forward in the car
The experimental work of the
Goodrich Company in its Akron
factories has been greatly supple
mented since the outbreak of the
war in Europe, by the contact which
the engineers of the French factory
of the Goodrich Company at Co
lumbes have had with the practi-
cal development and use of this
type of dirigible. Their Observa-
tions have been so thorough and
their experience in aeronautics con
centrated upon the dirigible type
that this knowledge will more
strongly fortify the Goodrich Com
pany in becoming the most import
) ant factr in the United States in
the building Of this type Of dirigi-I
BILE for our own government
When the Goodrich Company
recently offered it's immense re-.
= sources to the United States Gov
ernment in the event of war there
were but few who had any concep-
tion of their vastness. This volun-
tary 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 Govern
ment early in the war. The French
engineers who are now in charge of
the dirigible building at the Good
rich plant were called to America
with the consent of the French gov
ernment, long before the recent or
ders for the Blimps were awarded.
The shape of the envelope of the
Blimp dirigible somewhat resem-
bles that of cigar. The entire
length, from tip to tip will be 100
feet and the maximum 3l5 feet, but
the maximum width over the tail
fins will be 36.2 feet. This huge en-
I 4velope will displace 1900 cubic feet.
Suspended from the envelope will
be ridigly built car, spacious
enough to carry pilot, an observ-
er, the necessry accessories for de-
>termining altitude, speed, etc, and
100 horsepower gasoline motor of
the latest improved type. PrOvis-
ion is also made for carrying bal
last, which, when thrown out will
enable the dirigible to reach an al
titude of 1900 feet with safety.
These dirigibles are to be so con-
altitude of 600 feet, and this speed
structed that the maximum of As
miles per hour is attainable at an
may be maintained for 10 hours.
They can also endure 16 hours of
flying at the cruising speed of 35
miles per hour. which permits
range of $50 miles,
In spite of all of these accom-
plishments, one of these air giants
weighs but 5,275 pounds, and this
Includes even the weight of the
pilot and observer and their equip
,non{ Tho total 0uoirhts ~ holIoct