Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-08-24
ZR-2 EXPLODES
IN TRIAL FLIGHT
CONTINUED From Page one.)

j.; where a tremendous hangar was
erected for her.
Aerial experts declared the ship was
as nearly perfect as could be designed
BOLT OF LIGHTNING
ONLY REAL DANGER.
She need fear no wind. they said, and
the only real danger they apprehended
was direct hit by q bolt of lightning.
Lightning. they said, might possibly
ignite the gasoline vapor, in spite of
ventilation about the gas tanks.
Accommodations for the crew were the
best that could be devised. There was
much room in the main cabin and there
was a passage running the full length
Of the gas bag-695 feet
Colonel Campbell Of the British air
forces designed the ZR-2
1t was planned that she would carry
thirty tons Of gasoline when she finally
hoped off from Pullman for the United
States.
That It was believed would be sufficient
for return trip, if It had been neces-
sary.
BRITISH TEACHING
METHOD OF FLYING.
Captain Maxheld Of the United States
Navy was on board.
The remainder Of the crew was com
posed of thirty-one British air service
men, who were instructing the Americans
in the handling of the gas bag, prepare
tory to starting the flight for the United
States within few days.
Captain Maxfeld had not yet officially
taken over the ship which was technically
in charge Of Captain Wann of the British
air force until the tests had been com
pleted. Other American officers on
board included Lieutenants Little, Easter
day, Hoyt, Bieg and Coil.
The other Americans were picked me-
chanics.
The disaster upset all the elaborate
plans OF the United States Navy De
partment which had bought the ZR , from
the British admiralty.
EARLY FLIGHT
WAS SUCCESSFUL.
The test fight was to have been the
last. wireless message from the ZR-2
during the morning said that the ship
had made a most successful journey and
would soon land at Pullman.
y The jubilation Of the British air min
istry officials was dashed by news Of
the accident. The sorrow over the loss
horror over the apparent loss of life and
the terrible manner In which death de-
scended upon the air sailors.
The observer, for several days previous
to the disaster had been limiting that all
was not well with the ZR2.
1t stated Orders had bent and lattice
work buckled under the strain.
ENGINES SAID To
HAVE GIVEN TROUBLE.
The ships engines were also said to be
giving considerable trouble. These de-
fects, according to the observer, had
been kept secret for several weeks, but
1t was feared sho would be prevented
from attempting the Atlantic voyage this
year because of these differences. In
discussing the practicabuity Of giant e;r-
ships at the time Of the visit to America
of the British R-34 General Maitland
told OF the extraordinary precautions
taken to guard against explosions.
No man was permitted to board the
ship unless he wore rubber soled shoes
to prevent the possibility Of n spark
caused by the contact Of leather or
nails with the narrow wooden floor of the
bag and the gondolas.
The last successful fight Of the ZR-2
made July II occupied nine hours. On
that voyage the vessel was alleged to
have shown weaknesses.
SHOWED WEAKNESS
IN JULY II FLIGHT.
On that flight the big ship rose from
her mooring mast at Bedford at 80 in
the evening. The vessel headed for Lon
don but turned back on encountering a
thunder storm. She passed over the air
station at Howden shortly before mid
night, but did not descend.
Some Of the transverse beams about
midships we're said TO have buckled
trihe, but a quick examination showed the
damage was not sufficient TO cause aban-
donment Of the fight. The vessel few
back 10 Bedford and landed there shortly
before 4.30 a. m.
The slightly damaged beams were said
to have been repaired before the final
flight was made.