BRITISH DIRIGIBLES.
Reading edition
Navy.Army.
Name and date. II Willows 3. 1911. III Astra Torres 2. 1913. IV Parseval 18. 1913. II BETA. 1909 (1910.) III, & IV & V GAMMA, DELTA, EPSILON. 1910, 1912, 1913.
Volume c. feet (m³.) 31,800 (900) 222,500 (6,500) 311,000 (8,800) 21,000 (594) 70,600 (2,000)
Length feet (m.) 120 (36.50) ... 276 (84) 104 (31.70) 152 (46)
Diameter feet (m.) 40 (12.20) ... 49¼ (15) 25 (7.60) 30 (9.10)
Gasbags fabric Spencer Continental Metzler Gold beater skin Continental
compartments nil 3 nil nil nil
ballonets 1 1 2 1 2
Lift total tons about ½ about 7 about 10 about ¾ 2 ⅕
useful, tons ... ... ... ... ...
Motors h.p. 30 (=30) 2—120 Chenu (=240) 2—180 Maybach (=360) 1—30 Green (=30) 2—50 Green (=100)
Propellers number 2 (swivel) 2 2 (s.r.) steel 1 2 (swivel)
blades 2 2 4 2 2
diameter feet (m.) ... ... ... ... ...
Speed max. m.p.h. (km.) ... 38 (63) 42 (68) 18 (29) 28 (45)
Endurance full speed ... ... ... ... 4 hours
Max. complement 2 15-18 10-12 3 5
Station Farnborough ... ... Farnborough Farnborough
Notes.—All the above are non-rigid. The military ones were all built at the Royal Aircraft Factory.
Navy Dirigible Pilots.
Boothby, Lieut. F. L. M. (F.C.) Everett, Gunner F.
Masterman, Comdr. E. A. D. (in command) Usborne, Lieut. N. F. (squad comdr.)
Woodcock, Lieut. H. (F.C.)
Undergoing Naval Aircraft Course:
Crocker, Lieut. W. R.
Hicks, Lieut. W. C.
Wilson, Lieut. R. A.
Military Dirigible Pilots.
Squadron Commanders.
Maitland, Capt. E. M.
Flight Commanders.
Waterlow, Lieut. C. M.
Flying Officers.
Brabazon, Capt. Honble. C. M. P.
Fletcher, Lieut. J. N. (R.E.)
Hetherington, Lieut. T. G.
Mackworth, Lieut. J. D.
Pigot, Capt. R.
The following hold dirigible pilot certificates, but are not at present employed:—
Broke Smith, Capt. P.
Capper, Col. J. E.
Fox, Lieut. A. G.
Private Dirigibles.
There are one Willows (1912) (sister to the naval one) and a couple of Spencers about the size of Beta.
Private Dirigible Pilots.
Willows, E. T. (24-32, Villa Rd. Handsworth, Birmingham).
BRITISH NAVAL DIRIGIBLES.
Willows. The naval one is fitted with a boat-shaped car.
Parseval. (photo of a sister ship.)
New Construction.
Messrs. Vickers have acquired the Parseval rights for the British Empire, and several airships of this type are likely to be put in hand by them shortly.
Also reported that a big rigid is projected.
BRITISH MILITARY DIRIGIBLES.
Beta.
BETA.
Gamma (Delta the same, but a smaller and enclosed car).
GAMMA.