The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-09

visitors to the field, little or nothing
has been allowed to filter out concern
ing the inside of the big bag. Inside
the bag is the deck of the ship It
runs the greater part of the length of
the car and is only nine inches wide
except at the middle where it widens
out into a compartment eight by
twenty feet. used by the officers and
crew as dining room.
The hydrogen gas-the lifting power
OF the ships carried in eighteen
compartments inside the envelope
These compartments are at the top OF
the ship and each is of about equal
gas capacity and is equipped with an
automatic hand valve for the control
of the gas contained in them. These
gas compartments are of gold beater
skin, which in common language is
nothing more than the Innings of in
testines of calves.
When ready to start on a flight the
final initiation of these gas containers
is made. This operation takes place
usually at the minimum temperature
of the air when the greatest quantity
of gas can be taken into the bags. The
expansion of gas in the bags is Te-
lieved by releasing water ballast at
the rate of ten per cent of water in
20 degrees of rising temperature. Also
ten per cent of water ballast is re-
leased in each $500 feet of altitude.
Has 81 Fuel Tanks.
When the R-34 leaves the ground it
is permitted to rise to its equilibrium
or about as high as ii can go. On
reaching its equilibrium the engines
are started and the flight begins. The
fuel-gasoline and Oils carried in 81
tanks. Sixteen of these tanks are
fixed to the framework of the bag
structure and the others are known as
sliding tanks and can be discarded as
ballast should the occasion arise.
These tanks are ranged along the side
of the deck except for the ones over
each gondola for the supply of the en-
gines.
The water ballast is carried in can
vas bags of two types There are
and four aft. which may be emptied
in emergency because they cannot be
controlled. Six other water bags are
controlled by levers and their con-
tents can be released as desired. The
water ballast contains alcohol in suf-
ficient amount to prevent freezing in
high attitudes. The ship also carries
three tanks of drinking water for the
crew. each tank containing seventy
gallons,
Exhaust Pipes as Stoves.
The dining saloon contains three
tables capable of being raised to the
upper framework when not in use.
The saloon is large enough to permit
half OF the crew to eat at a time.
The food is recooked and heated as
wanted by appliances attached to the
exhaust pipes of the engines. Meals
are served a la buffet, that is, the
diners stand at a cupboard, there be-
ing no chairs aboard the ship.
The men of the crew sleep in light
hGmmocks along the sides of the deck
suspended out over the bag proper and
in case a sleeper falls from his net
there is nothing to prevent him fall
ing thru the bag to death.
Fore and aft on the top of the bag
are cockpits for the observers. These
pits are reached by aluminium ladders,
some seventy feet in length.
Baggage of the crew is strapped to
the framework. The officers were per-
mitted to bring to America, in addt-
ton to two changes of ship clothing,
only their dress uniforms. For every
person aboard there also is a para
chute and life preserver. These are
hung along the passa geway or deck.
All members of the crew wear rubber
soled shoes to prevent the possibility
of striking a spark which would mean
damage and possible disaster to the
bag