Since
that date numerous flights of quite unprecedented duration have
been achieved, one of 61 1/2 hours being particularly noteworthy,
and those of upwards of 30 hours have become quite commonplace.
Since the Armistice one of these ships completed the unparalleled
total of 101 hours, which at that date was the world's record
flight, and afforded considerable evidence as to the utility of
the non-rigid type for overseas patrol, and even opens up the
possibility of employing ships of similar or slightly greater
dimensions for commercial purposes.
N.S. 6 appeared several times over London in the summer months of
1918, and one could not help being struck by the ease with which
she was steered and her power to remain almost stationary over
such a small area as Trafalgar Square for a quite considerable
period.
The flights referred to above were not in any way stunt
performances to pile up a handsome aggregate of hours, but were
the ordinary flying routine of the station to which the ships
were attached, and most of the hours were spent in escorting
convoys and hunting for submarines. In addition to these duties,
manoeuvres were carried out on occasions with the Fleet or units
thereof.
From the foregoing observations it must be manifest that this
type of ship, in its present modified state, is a signal success,
and is probably the best large non-rigid airship that has been
produced in any country.
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