Here we see another decided departure from our
previous methods of rigid airship construction, in that for the
first time swivelling propellers were abandoned. R 31 when
completed carried out her trials, and it was evident that she was
much faster than previous ships. The trials were on the whole
satisfactory and, except for a few minor accidents to the hull
framework and fins, nothing untoward occurred.
At a later date the whole ship was through fortuitous
circumstances exposed to certain disadvantageous conditions which
rendered her incapable of further use.
R 33 CLASS
September 24th, 1916, is one of the most important days in the
history of rigid airship design in this country; on this date the
German Zeppelin airship L 33 was damaged by gunfire over London,
and being hit in the after gasbags attempted to return to
Germany. Owing to lack of buoyancy she was forced to land at
Little Wigborough, in Essex, where the crew, having set fire to
the ship, gave themselves up. Although practically the entire
fabric of the ship was destroyed, the hull structure most
fortunately remained to all intents and purposes intact, and was
of inestimable value to the design staff of the Admiralty, who
measured up the whole ship and made working drawings of every
part available.
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