H.M. Airship R 100—A Description: Principal Particulars and Details, Powering Data and Arrangements Are Here Arranged in Concise Form

THE hull of R 100 is a sixteen‐sided polygon, measuring 709 ft. in length, with a maximum diameter, situated about two diameters, 266 ft., from the nose, of 133 ft., the height of the gas‐space within the framework being about 128 ft. at the maximum diameter. It is built up on a framework of 16 triangular longitudinals with 15 transverse frames, also triangular. No intermediate longitudinals or transverse rings are fitted. Along the centre runs an axial girder, taking the place of the wire rope used in Zeppelin construction, to which is brought the radial wiring forming the bulkhead between each of the gas‐bags. The gas capacity is 5,600,000 cub. ft., giving a gross lift of 160 tons. The transverse frames are not, as in R 101, of the “space frame” type, inherently stiff without bracing (in R 101 the triangular frames have a depth of 10 ft. 6 in.), but are only 2 ft. 6 in. deep, braced by the radial wiring. There are 15 gas‐bags, Nos. 14–15 being interconnected. In accordance with normal Zeppelin practice, automatic valves are fitted at the bottoms of the bags, discharging into fabric trunks leading to the upper surface. Hand‐operated valves are fitted at the top of 11 of the bags. Back as far as Frame 13 the axial girder is of triangular section, but from there aft it is square and forms an integral part of the cruciform fin structure. All girders, from which the longitudinals, transverse frames and axial girder are built up, are composed of Duralumin strip wound and riveted into tubes connected by stamped Duralumin bracing pieces.