Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-02

featured by the bucKetfulS al
Akron, Ohio, soon after the
middle of next month, when
flight trials of the U. 8. 8. Akron, OF
ZRS-4, mighty Navy dirigible, are
scheduled to begin.
For the Navy personnel engaged. the
trials may present only so much work.
day routine They are bound to be q
dramatic spectacle for the public, how
ever because of the sheer size OF the
air giant IL for no other reason. Nc
such monster as the Akron ever has
taken to the air The size OF the Oral
Zeppelin and the Los Angeles combined
she is bulk to conture with.
The Akron is to be christened next
Saturday afternoon by Mrs. Herbert
Hoover. At that time She is to be
Launched" or air borne A week or
10 days must elapse after the launch
ing, however, before the ship can be
moved from the hangar for her hrst
fight. number of details of con-
struction remain after the ship lifts
off her construction cradle for the
first time before she will be In shape
to fly.
Soon after August Is, however, 1t is
anticipated, the Akron will be moved
out of the construction dock and VIII
take to the air in charge OF Navy
crew and under the watchful eyes
of the officers of q naval board OF
inspection and survey.
During the test period, the Navy
Department has announced, at least
rs hours flying must be carried on
and q minimum of five fights
made. The trials must include speed
runs, q declaration test, the turning
of minimum circles, altitude nights
measurement of dynamic lift, deter
animation of fuel consumption, meas
urement of reflections and strains
within the structure, checking OF pres
sure distribution over the hull, study
of interior ventilation and pressure
equalization. and the collection and
study of other scientific data bearing
on the general airworthiness and suit
ability of the airShip.
At Last, the Details.
Details of the Akron, which is To
carry its own fighting planes. batteries
of machine guns, electrical plant, pow
erful radio equipment, telephone sys-
tenn, complete living accommodations
and observation basket, were made pub
lie last night by the Navy Department,
some of them for the first time. The
Navy also explained for the first time
the details of plans made for testing
the strength of all structural parts dur
ing the construction of the ship.
Throughout the period of construc-
ton, it was explained, various parts OF
the airship and her equipment have
been tested step by step. The number
of tests have run into the hundreds
end the effort has been made. through
design and critical testing to stress the
element of safety from every stand
point.
The Akron will carry 6,5OO,0Oo cubic
feet of helium lifting gas, which, at
.062 pounds per cubic foot. will give a
total lift Of 100000 pounds. The total
volume of air displaced by the ship
will be about 100000 cubic feet, how
ever.
OF the total lift of 100000 pounds
some 100000 pounds will be the dead
weight" or weight of the ship empty
including the complete huh structure,
power plants and accessories, outer
cover, ballast installation, landing and
handling equipment, instruments and
other Parts of the permanent structure
of the airship. The remainder will GO
into useful lift. including crew and eff
fects, food and fresh water, water bal
last, fuel oil. reserve cooling water,
spare parts and military equipment.
The Akron is 785 feet long and has
a maximum diameter of 1873 feet. The
width, with THE propellers vertical, is
1872 feet and the overall height 1852
feet. The size is difficult for the aver