CAB38-23 — Page 151

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8 (c). The Very's light is not suitable for this purpose.

The squib should give off an excess of oxygen while burning

The R. L. could probably de- sign one to do this.

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The fireball (pellet with quick match substance) entered the gas-bag ricochetted two or three times then fell through the bottom of the gas-bag and burnt out on the floor.

The Hydrogen was not ignited.

Second Experiment.

In this experiment no exhaust gas was used, air being in the ring space between the gas-bag and outer

cover.

8 (d). The governing idea in In this case the fireball entered the gas-bag and carrying out these experiments ricochetted two or three times, and as it fell through has apparently been to save the the bottom the hydrogen ignited and burnt out in about airships, while what we want is to find means to destroy them.

ten seconds.

We want to establish a feud between the aviators and the air- ship men.

*9 (a). If this refers to the trip from Friedrichshafen to Hamburg, the distance is 360 sea miles, not 438.

I have no means of checking the other figures.

9 (b). But most of those I have

This is an important experiment, and I have instructed the Air Department to investigate further into this idea of using a non-combustible gas in the ring space of rigids.

If the airship was firing at the aeroplane with_a 1-pr. automatic gun and Maxims the task would not be easier; a large charge of buck-shot might be success- fully used at close range for bringing an aeroplane down.

The dirigible is no more vulnerable by aeroplanes than the battleship is by destroyers or submarines, and yet battleships continue to be built. Dirigibles are probably quite safe from aeroplane attack by night, and by day can see their enemy, while the battleship cannot see the submarine.

It is unlikely that a thoughtful and practical nation like the Germans would continue to expend large sums of money on rigid airships if they thought from experience that these would fall an easy prey to aero- planes.

They are as likely to find themselves at war with France as with England.

France has the greatest number of efficient aeroplanes of any nation, and Germany must have reckoned on this.

If France had abandoned the construction of airships this would to a certain extent have neutralised the above, but there is ample evidence to show that France intends to pursue an active airship policy also, and the fact that she prefers non-rigids to rigids is explained by reason of her needs being more military than naval.

With reference to your remarks on the vulnerability of airships by gun-fire from ships, the difficulties of hitting without any such aid to spotting as to the fall of projectiles would be very great indeed.

9. Voyages of Zeppelins, &c.

On the 1st May, 1912, "Z. 3" military airship of Zeppelin type covered 438 miles* at an average speed of 41 knots. The last French record is believed to be that of Adjutant Reau," when she accomplished 620 miles in 21 hours.

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The German naval Zeppelin is reported to have been able to check in the Report accomplished 1,065 miles in 31 hours in November of the Technical Committee are 1912. exaggerated.

10. The Airship Technics touched upon.

The facts as to air being liable to leak into hydrogen, &c., are well known. Conditions of osmosis have long been studied, and experiments in connection

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