Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 134, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 June 1910 — WOOD IN USED AIRSHIPS. [ARTICLE]

WOOD IN USED AIRSHIPS.

Two Reasons Why It Is Preferred by Builders of New Dirigible. The new dirigible designed by Prof. Schutte of Dantzig is now in the course of construction at Rhelnau, oear Mannheim. The wooden framework is already nearly complete. Wood has been used in preference to metal for two reasons, the Kolnische Zeltung says, to save weight and to minimize troublesome atmospheric electrical phenomena. The airship is to be somewhat larger than the last Zeppelin. The balloon proper is 138 meters long and its greatest diameter is 17 meters. It is cigar-shaped, having its maximum thickness in the first third of its length and then gently tapering behind. This form is said to offer a minimum resistance to the wind. The wood is prepared in small sections free from knots a few millimeters in thickness. The sections are glued over one another crosswise to form thin, narrow but extremely strong planks. The whole framework will be concealed from view by the outer covering of the balloon. There will be eleven inner balloonets, just as in the Zeppelin. The steering gear will be placed immediately below the balloon and consist of a rudder governing lateral movements and two elevating rudders. The two propellers will be directly connected with the motors in the car. Each propeller shaft will be driven by two motors. The motors will be able to develop in all 600 horse power. The car is to be so suspended that in the air it will be rigidly connected to the framework of the balloon, but as soon as it touches the ground the connections will become slack, thus taking off part of the weight and guarding the body of the balloop from injury by shocks.