ETA
The Eta was somewhat smaller than the Delta, containing only
118,000 cubic feet of hydrogen, and was first inflated in 1913.
The envelope was composed of rubber-proofed fabric and a long
tapering car was suspended, this being in the nature of a
compromise between the short car of the, Delta and the long
framework gear of the Gamma. Her engines were two 80 horse-power
Canton-Unne, each driving one propeller by a chain. This ship
proved to be a good design and completed an eight-hour trial
flight in September. On her fourth trial she succeeded in towing
the disabled naval airship No. 2 a distance of fifteen miles.
Her speed was 42 miles per hour, and she could carry a crew of
five with fuel for ten hours.
On January 1st, 1914, the Army disbanded their Airship Section,
and the airships Beta, Gamma, Delta and Eta were handed over to
the Navy together with a number of officers and men.
CHAPTER V
EARLY DAYS OF THE NAVAL AIRSHIP SECTION--
PARSEVAL AIRSHIPS, ASTRA-TORRES TYPE, ETC.
The rapid development of the rigid airships in Germany began to
create a considerable amount of interest in official circles. It
was realized that those large airships in the future would be
invaluable to a fleet for scouting purposes.
Pages:
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76