The system of rigging or car suspension is simplicity itself and
is tangential to the envelope. On either side there are six main
suspensions of 25 cwt. stranded steel cable known as "C"
suspensions. Each "C" cable branches into two halves known as
the "B" bridles, which in turn are supported at each end by the
bridles known as "A." The ends of the "A" bridles are attached
to the envelope by means of Eta patches. These consist of a
metal D-shaped fitting round which the rigging is spliced and
through which a number of webbing bands are passed which
are spread out fanwise and solutioned to the envelope. It will
thus be seen that the total load on each main suspension is
proportionally taken up by each of the four "A" bridles, and that
the whole weight of the car is equally distributed over the
greater part of the length of the envelope. Four handling guys
for manoeuvering the ship on the ground are provided under the
bow and under the stem. A group of four Eta patches are placed
close together, which form the point of attachment for two guys
in each case. The forward of these groups of Eta patches forms
the anchoring point. The bridle, consisting of 25 cwt. steel
cable, is attached here and connected to the forepart of the
skids of the car.
Pages:
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94