3-028-434 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Rigid Or Non-Rigid?: The Great War-Ships Of The Air, 1909. Diagrams of German dirigibles. The Zeppelin, the Parseval, and the Gross II. 'The highest development is marked by the rigid type of dirigible. An aluminium skeleton framework is employed, and this is covered with proofed cotton fabric. Within are seventeen separate compartments each containing a balloon filled with hydrogen. Close to the keel two cars are mounted, each having an engine which drives two propellers. Lifting-planes are fitted, and compound rudders. The whole ship is a rigid, compact structure capable of being driven at high speed through the air, and offering almost a minimum of head-resistance. The "Zeppelin'' holds all records as to speed and distance. Germany has very wisely determined to test every practicable form of dirigible, and thus in addition to the rigid "Zeppelins," the-German military authorities possess a non-rigid type of ship in the "Parseval," and a semi-rigid in the "Gross".' From "Illustrated London News", 1909.