The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-07-09
u. S. TO PURCHASE
BRITISH AIRSHIP
Will Soon Become Possessor of R-38,
Largest of It's Kind in the
World.

WOFlos
LONDON, July j.--Uncle Sam viii
soon become the possessor of the
British built R-sS, the largest rigid
airship yet constructed in any country
and craft that represents the very
last word. in aerial dreadnought"
designing.
Trim and smart as the quarter deck
Of an admirars flagship, the R-38,
soon to be designated officially by her
new American name, zR-2, is claimed
to be the most formidable craft ever to
take the air."
She is expected to be capable of
5000 miles flight at full speed,7o
miles per hour-or $50 miles at
cruising speed" Of so miles per hour.
Her specifications call for an arma-
ment of IA Lewis guns, a one-pound
automatic gun, four bombs of $50
pounds and eight bombs of 23O pounds.
The machine guns are distributed at
vantage points so that any form CT
attack, from land, sea or air, might
effectually be combatted.
The ships heavy armament serves
as an index to her character. She is
as the general headquarters of a
whole battle fleet, eyes, ears and, in
emergency, an auxiliary business
end" From the compact, convenient
Shippers cabin" close up under her
nose to the neat little machine gun
ner's NEST" at the very tip of her
stern, zR-2's arrangement and con-
struction spells efficiency and strictly
business"
Without extensive alterations, ZR-2
could not accommodate comfortably a
party Of 65 persons as did the Italian
built, semi-rigid airship Roma" after
being taken over by the American
government recently. But If a sub
marine were sighted, zR-2 could ma
noeuver into position, then the mere
pressing of a button in the captains
control cabin would release a bomb
or a dozen bombs, if required, to do
in" the enemy undersea Boat.
If enemy airplanes became bother
some during this procedure they would
not find. as was the case with the
German Zeppelins, that there was an
unprotected spot under the ZR-2.s
lower part aft where they could
hover and pump machine-gun bullets
into her gasoline tanks. To meet just
such a contingency there is a stern
machine-gun nest, one situated some
so yards ahead on the underpart of
the ship, and one in each of four of
the ships engine cars, which are sus-
pended at her sides.
Should the attack come from above.
gunner, protected from the fury OF high
altitude winds In a cockpit at the top of
the ship, would probably be able to do
anything necessary with his one pound
automatic piece.
These represent some of the many mn
provements, indicated by examination Of
wrecked Zeppelins and other experience
which have been Incorporated IN the
ZR-2
Seen in flight. the zR-2 will be much
like her sister ship R-34 of transatlantic |
fame. But her shimmering sides and /
clean appearance conceal a confusion of
interior workings" that, to one unac- |
customed to such craft, is most bewild- |
ering.
AS one proceeds along the marrow /
''man-high" corridor which extends the |
entire length of the ship, he sees a COM
plication of crisis crossed aluminium grid |
CTS, IOWS Vi -BdSOllne anu water LankSs |
what seems to be, and actually are. anros I
Of fabric gas bags, and miscellany of /
guy wires, control valves, pipes. swivels, /
hinges and gew-gaws that defy under |
But after a guide who knows |
every inch OF the gigantic bulk has made ,
explanations. the handling Of the ship is |
seen to be simplicity itself.
Thus the skipper standing at the /
wheel in his cabin, just as sea captain |
on the bridge, has within reach miscel-
any OF buttons, switches and levers,
electrically controlled, with which he can
release ballast water. deflate one or more
gas bags, empty his gasoline tanks. start
4 bomb towards an objective and, of
course, steer the ship upward. downward,
% right or left.
He can send orders through telephone
system which connects up the whole
ship. for the starting or stopping of one
,r all OF the ships six propelling engines,
advise his machine-gunners of the APP
roach OF an enemy or, through the OPP i
orator at his back. send observations by
wireless to flagship or land base.
Comfortable hunks are provided for the
ff-shift Of the crews--in all so. officers