The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1917-11-09
CAPTURED Yep IS
A WONDER CRAFT
French and American officers
Make Thorough Investigation
Of Machine.
WHEEL WOUNDED TO SCENE
Several Hundred Americana, Com
manded by an Aviation officer, Arc
Learning AIrpIane construc-
tlon In Practical Way.

Field Headquarters Of the Ameri-
can Army In France.-The stray Yep
pelln. Lao. that was downed by the
French near Bourbonne-les-Bains
while trying to get back to its base.
was 600 feet long and the envelope
was 90 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 dlrigible.
The gondolns are connected by a
cleated cock-walk and the whole con-
structlon 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 a wireless outfit.
Gun In Each eondola.
The machinery Is highly compli-
Gated and the driving motors we're
equipped with 10 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 a
cabin for the commander, The lover
portion was painted black and the
upper part a dull gray. on one side
was painted small iron cross.
There were no bullet holes visible
In the craft, but the forward gondoIa
had been wrecked In descent.
1t has already been suggested that
the craft be sent 10 the Insalides
Palace In Paris.
After inspecting the balloon the
American officers were returning 10
town Just IA the ZeppelIn's prison
cred crew was being transported
through the crowded streets.
The commanding lieutenant looked
downhearted and disgusted Another
officer was typical old Prusslan
non-com with scar on his nose MS
though made by sword welt The
men were well built and wore leath-
er jackets.
II was reported here that another
Zeppelin was captured several kilo-
meters away when tho forward gon-
dola crashed into tree dumping
part OF the crew to the ground. The
Zeppelin, relieved Of this load, then
rose, tilted unsteadily and caught
Are.
The Zeppelin brought down intact
near here carried only ineendiary
bombs, apparently for the purpose Of
in the event Of cap
ture. All the explosives evidently
lad been dropped In England.
The French evidenced the greatest |
interest In the prize, and many |
Wounded were wheeled to the scene
n chairs.
Learn to Make Planes.
Several hundred Americans. com
handed by an aviation officer. are
earning airplane construction IN
he most practical way possible ut
French camp few hours ride
rom General Billiards. student avi-
uOn ecn0Ol.
French planes Of all types wrecked
r damaged at the front are shipped
0 this camp and are taken apart
y the Americans under French In
tructors- They are learning how to
iake repairs and to build new mo-
Drs as well. Each student spends
alf a day learning the theory Of
irplane construction and the other
alf In actual shop practice taking
own motors Of all types and rebuild
lg them.
The French instructors frequently
emove piece Of the mechanism and
hen ask the American what IL miss
lg. Similar instruction is given in I
ssembling machines. When this
training Is completed the
len enter the factory, where ma
hines are built until they are ex-
erts In all lines of airplane con-
Eruction and repair. q
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