Wireless telegraphy is fitted as is the case with all airships.
In the Coastal a gun is mounted on the top of the envelope, which
is reached by a climbing shaft passing through the envelope,
another mounting being provided on the car itself.
Bombs are also carried on frames attached to the car. Sunbeam
engines originally supplied the motive power, but at a later date
a 220 horse-power Renault was fitted aft and a 100 horse-power,
Berliet forward. With the greater engine power the ship's
capabilities were considerably increased.
Exceedingly long flights were achieved by this type of ship, and
those exceeding ten hours are far too numerous to mention. The
moot noteworthy of all gave a total of 24 1/4 hours, which, at
the time, had only once been surpassed by any British airship.
Towards the end of 1917, these ships, having been in commission
for over two years, were in many cases in need of a complete
refit. Several were put in order, but it was decided that this
policy should not be continued, and that as each ship was no
longer fit for flying it should be replaced by the more modern
Coastal known as the C Star.
The record of one of these ships so deleted is surely worthy of
special mention. She was in commission for 2 years 75 days, and
averaged for each day of this period 3 hours 6 minutes flying.
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