With individual design ideas
the R100's design team came up with a totally unique interior
for the passenger accommodation on the ship.
As
with the R101, the main design considerations for the contract
for the R100 was to be able to carry 100 passenger for a number
of nights accommodation in comfort. This of course had to include
sleeping accommodation and public spaces on the ship.
The R100
team came up with the idea to have a three deck approach whereby
the passengers could enjoy a two deck area with the crew on the
third or bottom deck. This would also bring the feeling of space
and height. In the main brochures describing the R100 issued at
the time, it was seen that the accommodation was "intermediate
in comfort between a Pullman coach and ocean liner." It was
described as being inside a "small hotel"
PHOTO
GALLERY
The
Main Lounge & Grand Staircase
The Main lounge. The main lounge was on the inside of the
airship. The idea being that this double height deck would
give a feeling of space. The lounge was also to double up
as the main dining area of the ship.
A double entrance staircase lead down from the galleries
where the some of the sleeping accommodation was arranged.
The staircase lead down on to the main floor, then down
again to the crews quarters and the lower deck.
The seating arrangements were of small tables of four, but
these also could be put together to form long dinning tables
as was the current fashion. Various rugs were placed on
the floor to again give the feeling of a club atmosphere.
The entrance to the promenade areas were on either side
of the main lounge.
We have produced the
following video to take a tour of the inside of the R100
The
Promenade Decks
The promenade decks were wider in design than the R101 and
were again of double deck construction to ensure that enough
light would enter in to the ship. Seen here are passengers
enjoying tea on the promenade decks. Notice the "portholes"
which were the passenger cabin windows. Also notice the
side entrance to the left the dining room. The upper gallery
as seen, was also a place to enjoy the view and also provided
entrance to further passenger cabins.
The promenade decks were on both sides of the lounge, as
with the R101. As they were wider, it was viewed that they
could be seen as more of a "lounge" area.
The window configuration
can be seen in this photo with two sets of windows fitted
into a curved recess.
The
Passenger Cabins
A very rare shot of a two berth passenger cabin. The sleeping
arrangements were in the form of bunks. Even though they may
seem spartan by today's standards, they were fitted out with
a "porthole" light, chair and space for luggage.
This would continue with the "nautical" influence.
Some 50 cabins were constructed in formations of single, two
and four berth arrangements.
Toilets and washroom facilities were available close by
Below
Decks - The main corridor
The main corridor lead from the bow entrance to the passenger
accommodation one third of the length down from the nose.
As this slightly out of focus photo shows, the super structure
was open and some of the interior of the ship can be seen.
We are unaware as to whether in the final stages of ship construction,
as to whether the walls were "doped" as in the R101.
The wooden door at the end of the corridor is the entrance
to the lowest level of the ship.