Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-03

~ aerial transportation The "fiivver
blimp" is coming to compete with
the airplane for popularity.
The sponsor of this innovation is Capt. Anton
Heinen, the German expert In dirigible naviga-
ton who was connected with the United States
Navy during the early days Of the Shenandoah.
In 1923 Capt Heinen made the statement
that in ten years we would be travelling across
the seas in airlners. The Graf Zeppelin has
paved the way for the elimination of that
prediction. Huge dirigibles are under con-
struction, ready to demonstrate their superior
ity over the airplane in long and sustained
cruises.
But popular Imagination, captivated by world
tours of giant airships and anticipating regu-
lar air voyages to Europe, has considered only
one advantage of the dirigible. The fact that
smaller airships have kept pace with the prog
reSs of the Zeppelins and that the blimps have
reached a high degree Of safety and efficiency
ID something that comparatively few persons
realize.
WITH the same precision shown in the
cruises of the Los Angeles, the smaller
airshps of the United States Navy are con-
stantly making shorter trips. Riding by blimp
has bscorle methodical and easy procedure.
Capt. Heinen has studied the blimps. While
other experts in aerial navigation have visioned
larger and stronger dirigibles, bigger mooring
mastS and the expenditure Of millions of dol
lars. he has been planning smaller btmps-
baby blimps with tiny gas bags and expenses
cut to minimum of $4,000 for q single ship.
The airplane possesses two disadvantages
which have not yet been overcome. First, its
transoceanic flights difficult and uncertain
Second the airplane on short trips. requires
suitable landing fields and skillful pilots. Capt.
Heinens intention Is TO overcome these disad-
vantages through the use Of tiny dirigibles.
,szolk kraa a~lA
thority Eghter-than-air craft Capt. Heinen
was connected with the Zeppelin works in
Friedrichshafen, Germany from 1910 to 1921.
During this time he commanded dirigibles on
commercial airiines throughout Europe, tested
ships and trained airship crews His connec-
ton with the Shenandoah from 1s22-1s24 will
long be remembered because of his important
role I'm the storm fight of that airship.
Upon his return to private life, Capt. Heinen
concentrated all his efforts upon an ambition
which he felt could soon be realized: to de-
velop an aircraft in which safety and easy
operation could be combined at a price that
would be within the means Of many persons
He now believes that he has accomplished his
ambition. His first "fiivver blimp," which he
has termed the Heinen air yacht, 10 virtually
completed and ready for the air.
This air yacht involves some remarkably in
teresting features The total length Of its gas
bag is less than 100 feet and its capacity is
5000 cubic feet of lifting gas. Underneath
the gas Dag Is the yacht BODY, some Is feet In
length, lightly constructed and inclosed COM
bining the principles of an automobile body
with an airplane fuselage.
The air yacht is equipped with 200-horse-
power radial motor, and it il estimated, accord
ing to Capt. Heinen's statement, that the ship
can develop a speed of IS miles an hour and
will be able to cruise 400 miles or more.
The body is fat-bottomed and watertight,
which win enable the air yacht to rest upon
or glide along the surface of q lake or river.
The air yacht Is designed as a fair-weather
craft; it Is ship built for pleasure, to enable
its owner to forsake his automobile and make
. direct flight to whatever destination he may
choose Motor trouble, If it occurs, will be
merely an annoyance and not catastrophe
as with airplane, for the air yacht does
not depend upon its motor to keep it in the
air. With its engine shut off the craft
can float through the air as free balloon until
It's operator decides that landing Is advisable.