The Topeka state journal., 1919-06-20
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
INFORM ALTON
BUREAU
FREDERIC J. HAsKuN. Dtrectnr.
washingtau. d q
THE RISE OF THE BLIMP.


enormous possibilities of the blimp, or
dirigible gas bag, as a safe means of
air travel, are just beginning to be
realized. The interest of government
taeronauts is turning more and more
Ito these lighter-than-air machines,
which can stop for repairs in n1idair
and are independent of landing fields
II would not be surprised in a FEW
years to see as many people flying
around in dirigibles as there are at
tpresent riding in flivvers," was the
toptimistic view expressed by one gov
ernment expert on aeronautics- This
type of aircraft affords the safest
means of travelling in the air. and 10
| my knowledge there is not a single
case on record of a dirigible crashing
to earth as a result of the failure or
it's mechanism to function If your
engine develops trouble while taking
a flight, all you have to do is to stop
the engine. and while the machine Is
supported in the air by the gas bag.
or envelope as it is scientifically
called, make the necessary repairs:
The use of non-inflammable gas will
practically eliminate all danger or
| fire"
The blimp consists of a graceful,
be-shaped envelope, 200 feet in
length in some of the large types,
filled with gas. The rudders are at
/
is suspended a light car. Most of the
mechanism is in the car, and there is
tplenty of space also for the pilot and
the other members of the crew.
1t is not intended to develop the
dirigibIe in competition with the air
plane, but rather to use it in supple
tmental way. While dirigible cannot
make the speed of an airplane, as
the top speed attained so far is only
about seventy-five miles per hour. 1t
| has a great advantage in that 1t can
! remain in the air after its motor stops
and can land in any space large
enough for the body of the machine.
Both the army and navy lean to the
dirigible and the air programs OF both
4 these branches of the service provide
for lighter than-air craft.
Naval officers will recommend that
the United States adopt a type of air
ship based upon the Fundamental
principles of the German Zeppelin
plus improvements worked out by the
British. French and Italians and ideas
gained during the recent war.
In fighting the submarine menace,
the dirigible was most effectlVe
weapon. 1t was also used advan-
tageously in searching for mines,
] qua riding conveys and scouting. The
Italians. who possess one OF the best
types of dirigibIe in use, even bombed
the enemy from their blimps.
1t is the opinion of Secretary
Daniels that the navy should make no
effort toward any large expansion
during the next few years, but should
engage in experiments to improve ex-
listing types, and the blimp will be
one type to receive much attention.
i The naval bill, which was one of
the many measures that failed to pass
the last Congress, and which will
probably come up before the present
Congress, contained an appropriation
of SIC. 100000 for the development of
the lighter-than-air' machines, includ-
ing the balloon and dirigible.
! At the present time, the navy has a
fleet of some fifteen dirigibles. The
extra ordinary flight a few weeks ago
of the C-5 to Newfoundland con-
vinced the naval experts that this
across the ocean. The dirigible Is
practically new in the navy. the first
one having made its appearance in
January, 1917. many years after the
French, British, Italians and Germans
began using dirigibles. During the
past two years. the navy has made
great progress in the development of
the dirigible, and durinr recent test
flight at the L. S. Naval Station. Key
West. Florida, a dirigible remained
in the air forty-one hours.
i In Germany, the dirigible-that is
the Zeppelin-has reached a high
state of development. Prior to the
>
to carry passengers. More than 1900
| persons travelled by this means in
) Germany before the beginning of hos
tilities.
The Air Service of the Army is CIV
ing considerable attention to the de-
: velopment of the dirigible and its va
rious uses. According to an army Of
ficer, a fleet of dirigibles is going to
= be put into operation in the near fu-
ture to run down cattle thieves and
I other brisands along the Mexican bor-
der Because of the nature of the
country along the border, it is diff
. cult for troops to follow up cattle
thieves, and it is believed that dirigi-
bles can be effectively used for this
purpose.
England has spent large sums in
. . developing it's present tyne of dirigible
Just now the British dirigible, R34
, is undergoing its final tuning up neaI
: the Firth of Forth before attempting
: to fly to Atlantic City, N. j.
, This machine is one of the largest
: dirigibles in existence. Its gas bag
: is about two hundred feet long, and
! the car is said to be able to accom-
modate about 200 persons. The R-34
, will seek to fly TO Newfoundland al
! an altitude of about 1000 feet, which
, is above the lower storm m-filled area:
. usually traversed by airplanes. From
= Newfoundland. it is planned to fol
low the coast to Atlantic City. 1t i:
estimated that the R-34 will maintain
an average speed of about sixty mile:
Y an hour and air experts in this coun
I try feel confident that it will make
the trip successfully.
! | Commercially. the 'dirigible is ex
: pected to have a wide and useful fu
ture. TIE prediction is made that il
: the very near future the dirigible will
: be used in the air mail service. as i
: has a number of advantages over thu
d afrplane for such work. The dirigi
4 BILE can stop over a postoffice anC
s lower the mail sacks gently with ;
: rope. while it is necessary for an air
= plane to descend to deposit its cargo
/ or to use the parachute. The plan'
e must descend TO load up. while fh'
s dirigible can taken on a cargo whilt
y | IN, tl,n i.- t,, x,,aa,s nf rnre