Vickers
Transoceanic Airship
Up to and following on the
success of the R34, it was seen that the airship could transverse
oceans and the original idea.The idea of linking the Empire together
was born. Vickers Company had been producing airships since the
original Airship Number 1, the Mayfly, and also a series of rigids
during the war.
In 1919 the design concept
for a passenger carrying luxury airship took shape and the Trans-Oceanic
Airship was proposed. New research has uncovered some original
contemporary texts. The plans for the ship were in the advanced
stages as many details had been proposed, including the "Masterman"
docking and mooring mast. The model of the ship as seen above,
was exhibited in Amsterdam, August-September 1919. This model
may also have been shown at the 6th International Aero Exhibition
at Olympia in London 1920.
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A
graphical reperesntaion of the proposed passenger ship
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Second
representation by Ron Sillence
copyright Ron
Sillence
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1.
The passenger and Mail carrier for world routes
To this class will belong the large airships with the highest
speed commercially economical, designed for the transport of passengers,
mails, light express parcels and freight. It is seen that the
longest non stop flight required on the cross oceanic routes was
about 3,500 miles and a suitable reserve of thrity percent for
adverse winds and deviation from course demanded that the design
of the ship be able to carry enough fuel and oil sufficient for
an endurance of 4,500 miles at normal flying speed. At the time
a rigid airship of some 4,000,000 cuft of gas was proposed. The
ship would have to be provided with sleeping accommodation for
100 passengers, suitable for journeys of several days in length.
A general specification is as follows :-
Passenger Accommodation
Living
Salon
The main living quarters
would be in a salon at the top of the airship furnised with
tables and chairs. Here the passengers could pass the time
comfortably during the day and take their meals. Though
the saloon might alternatively be a long car slung underneath
the ship, the other positiion being prefrable for being
far removed from the noise of the engines and propellers
and unaffected by vibration. Part of the saloon deck would
be fireproofed to serve as a smoking room, and an open air
shelter deck would be provided aft of the saloon to allow
passengers to take the air and get some exercise. Windows
in the saloon wouid give a view in all directions.
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Observation Saloon
Special observation saloons for passengers could be fitted
fore and aft under the hull and an observation gallery at
the extreme aft end. These woud command the land and sea immediatley
below the ship. The long keel corridor inside the bottom of
the ship might also be used as a promenade by those persons
who were not satisfied with the restricted space of the shelter
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Sleeping
Quarters
Sleeping bethers with all necessary conveniences could be
provided in small cabins or inside the keel space inderneath
the ship.
Cooking
A mess kitchen with electrically heated cooking apparatus
would be situated near the main saloon in which all meals
would be prepared.
Passenger Lift
A passenger lift would afford communication between the
quarters on the top of the hull and the keel corridor underneath.
From the latter a passage-way would run to the bow of the
ship and to a connection with the mooring tower, through
which passengers embark and disembark.
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OTHER
DETAILS |
Statistics
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Gross
Gass Capacity |
3,500,000 cft
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Length |
800 ft
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Diameter |
100
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Max
Speed |
75mph
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Cruising
Speed |
52
mph
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Endurance
at max speed |
75
hours/5,600 miles
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Endurance
at cruising speed |
200
hours/ 10,000 miles
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Passengers
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100 |
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Hull
Structure
The hull would be of the most perfect streamline form permitted
by constructional requirements. There would be an internal
keel corridor, running along the bottom of the hull, in which
all petrol and oil tanks and water ballast would be carried.
It would also contain the crews sleeping and living quarters. |
Outer
Covering
The outer cover would be made of special weatherproof fabric
able to endure for a long time the effects of continuous voyages
and to insulate the gas suff iciently from any changes in
tepreature to reduce variations in the lift. |
Gasbags
The gas capacity would be distributed among a number of gas-bags
made of suitable subber-proofed cotton fabric, lined with
goldbeater's skins and fitted with automatic relief valves
and hand controlled manoeuvering valves.
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Control
and Navigation Compartment.
A control and navigation compartment would be built on to
the hull towards the forward end of the airship. This would
contain all main controls and navigating instruments , incliding
a cabin for wireless telegraphy installation. It would have
windows so arranged as to give clear views in every direction.
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