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A relief watch was sent to Canada
sometime ago. It consists of 4 riggers, 1 chargehand engineer, 5 engineers
and 1 W.T. operator. The assistant coxswain of this watch is included
in the flying crew above. Their names are given on page 12.
When R.100 is moored to the tower at St.Hubert, one watch will always
be on duty and a stand-by watch will be in close attendance, and undertake
maintenance duties during the day. The third watch will be off duty for
24 hours at a time. Some, if not all, of this watch will take the place
of certain members of the outward crew on the return flight.
Uniform.
A dark blue uniform, recently approved for the Air Ministry airship crews,
will be worn on the Atlantic flight. It is of reefer pattern with gold
buttons in the case of officers and black for the men. The peaked cap
has a badge consisting of a circle surmounted by a crown. In the centre
are the words 'R. 100'' ( or ."R.101" ) and on the circle "Royal Airship
Works, Cardington .
It should be noted that the crew of R.100 is entirely civil personnel
with the exception of two officers and one N.C.O. of the. Royal Air Force
who are seconded for duty on airships.
Food Supplies etc.
On the trans-Atlantic flight the airship will carry food for five days
-three days' ordinary rations, one day's reserve rations, and one day's
emergency rations. The total amount of food will amount to about 2,000
Ibs. details of which are given on page 13. 500 gallons of drinking and
washing water will be required during the flight.
Meals will be served in the dining room, and will be cooked in the electrically
equipped kitchen adjoining.
The airship will be cleared by Customs, Immigration and Medical Authorities
before leaving Cardington, and the necessary papers will be available
for clearance at Montreal. All members of the crew will have passports
for Canada and the United States. The amount of luggage allowed for each
officer or passenger will be 30 Ibs and for each member of the crew 15
lbs.
Signals Organisation.
R.100 is equipped for long wave transmission and for long and short wave
reception. Her call sign (and registration mark) is G-FAAV. (The wave
lengths are not being disclosed and it is hoped that private stations
will not attempt to transmit messages at the airship's signal schedule
will be fully occupied in receicing meteorological information and in
transmitting essential messages).
The signal organization is divided into four parts. On the first stage
communication will be direct from the W.T. station at Cardlngton for approximately
the first 1,000 miles. .From this position until longitude 35oW.is reached
signals will pass via Rugby W.T. Station. From 35oW until the airship
has crossed the Canadian coast communication will be through Louisburg
W.T. Station and thereafter direct to the airship base at St. Hubert.
During each stage there will be certain routine times both for the transmission
and reception of messages.
When within approximately 100 miles of St. Hubert the airship may change
over from wireless telegraphy to radio telephony. A short broadcast talk
will be given from the airship during the final stage by Wing Commander
Colmore, the Director of Airship Development, on the initiative of Canadian
National Railways.
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