When it was decided, early in 1915, to develop the airship for
anti-submarine work difficulties which appeared almost
insuperable were encountered at first. To begin with, there were
practically no firms in the country capable of airship
production. The construction of envelopes was a great problem;
as rubber-proofed fabric had been found by experiment to yield
the best results for the holding of gas, various waterproofing
firms were invited to make envelopes, and by whole-hearted
efforts and untiring industry they at last provided very
excellent samples. Fins, rudder planes, and cars were also
entrusted to firms which had had no previous experience of this
class of work, and it is rather curious to reflect that envelopes
were produced by the makers of mackintoshes and that cars and
planes were constructed by a shop-window furnisher. This was a
sure sign that all classes of the community were pulling together
for the good of the common cause.
Among other difficulties was the shortage of hydrogen tubes,
plants, and the silicol for making gas.
Sufficient sheds and aerodromes were also lacking, and the
airships themselves were completed more quickly than the sheds
which were to house them.
The lack of airship personnel to meet the expansion of the
service presented a further obstacle.
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