the mastery of the air(操纵空气)-第9章
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THE MASTERY OF THE AIR
that the air…ship could be brought out in the lee of any wind from
whatsoever quarter it came。
It is said that the Count's private fortune of about L25；000 was soon
expended in the cost of these works and the necessary experiments。 To
continue his work he had to appeal for funds to all his friends； and also to
all patriotic Germans； from the Kaiser downwards。
At length； in 1908； there came a turning…point in his fortunes。 The
German Government； which had watched the Count's progress with great
interest； offered to buy his invention outright if he succeeded in remaining
aloft in one of his dirigibles for twenty…four hours。 The Count did not quite
succeed in his task； but he aroused the great interest of the whole German
nation； and a Zeppelin fund was established； under the patronage of the
Kaiser； in every town and city in the Fatherland。 In about a month the fund
amounted to over L300；000。 With this sum the veteran inventor was able
to extend his works； and produce air…ship after air…ship with remarkable
rapidity。 When； war broke out it is probable that Germany possessed at
least thirteen air…ships which had fulfilled very difficult tests。 One had
flown 1800 miles in a single journey。 Thus the East Coast of England；
representing a return journey of less than 600 miles was well within their
range of action。
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THE MASTERY OF THE AIR
CHAPTER X A Zeppelin Air…ship and its
Construction
After the Zeppelin fund had brought in a sum of money which
probably exceeded all expectations； a company was formed for the
construction of dirigibles in the Zeppelin works on Lake Constance； and in
1909 an enormous air…ship was produced。
In shape a Zeppelin dirigible resembled a gigantic cigar； pointed at
both ends。 If placed with one end on the ground in Trafalgar Square；
London； its other end would be nearly three times the height of the Nelson
Column； which； as you may know； is 166 feet。
From the diagram here given； which shows a sectional view of a
typical Zeppelin air…ship； we may obtain a clear idea of the main features
of the craft。 From time to time； during the last dozen years or so； the
inventor has added certain details； but the main features as shown in the
illustration are common to all air…craft of this type。
Zeppelin L1 was 525 feet in length； with a diameter of 50 feet。 Some
idea of the size may be obtained through the knowledge that she was
longer than a modern Dreadnought。 The framework was made of specially
light metal； aluminium alloy； and wood。 This framework； which was
stayed with steel wire； maintained the shape and rigidity of her gas…bags；
hence vessels of this type are known as RIGID air…ships。 Externally the
hull was covered with a waterproof fabric。
Though； from outside； a rigid air…ship looks to be all in one piece；
within it is divided into numerous compartments。 In Zeppelin L1 there
were eighteen separate compartments； each of which contained a balloon
filled with hydrogen gas。 The object of providing the vessel with these
small balloons； or ballonets； all separate from one another； was to prevent
the gas collecting all at one end of the ship as the vessel travelled through
the air。 Outside the ballonets there was a ring…shaped； double bottom；
containing non…inflammable gas； and the whole was enclosed in rubber…
coated fabric。
The crew and motors were carried in cars slung fore and aft。 The ship
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THE MASTERY OF THE AIR
was propelled by three engines； each of 170 horse…power。 One engine was
placed in the forward car； and the two others in the after car。 To steer her
to right or left； she had six vertical planes somewhat resembling box…kites；
while eight horizontal planes enabled her to ascend or descend。
In Zeppelin L2； which was a later type of craft； there were four motors
capable of developing 820 horse…power。 These drove four propellers；
which gave the craft a speed of about 45 miles an hour。
The cars were connected by a gangway built within the framework。 On
the top of the gas…chambers was a platform of aluminium alloy； carrying a
1…pounder gun； and used also as an observation station。 It is thought that
L1 was also provided with four machine…guns in her cars。
Later types of Zeppelins were fitted with a 〃wireless〃 installation of
sufficient range to transmit and receive messages up to 350 miles。 L1
could rise to the height of a mile in favourable weather； and carry about 7
tons over and above her own weight。
Even when on ground the unwieldy craft cause many anxious
moments to the officers and mechanics who handle them。 Two of the line
have broken loose from their anchorage in a storm and have been totally
destroyed。 Great difficulty is also experienced in getting them in and out
of their sheds。 Here； indeed； is a contrast with the ease and rapidity with
which an aeroplane is removed from its hangar。
It was maintained by the inventor that； as the vessel is rigid； and
therefore no pressure is required in the gas…chamber to maintain its shape；
it will not be readily vulnerable to projectiles。 But the Count did not
foresee that the very 〃frightfulness〃 of his engine of war would engender
counter…destructives。 In a later chapter an account will be given of the
manner in which Zeppelin attacks upon these islands were gradually
beaten off by the combined efforts of anti…aircraft guns and aeroplanes。 To
the latter； and the intrepid pilots and fighters； is due the chief credit for the
final overthrow of the Zeppelin as a weapon of offence。 Both the British
and French airmen in various brilliant sallies succeeded in gradually
breaking up and destroying this Armada of the Air； and the Zeppelin was
forced back to the one line of work in which it has proved a success； viz。；
scouting for the German fleet in the few timid sallies it has made from
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home ports。
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CHAPTER XI The Semi…rigid Air…ship
Modern air…ships are of three general types： RIGID； SEMI…RIGID； and
NON…RIGID。 These differ from one another； as the names suggest； in the
important feature； the RIGIDITY； NON…RIGIDITY； and PARTIAL
RIGIDITY of the gas envelope。
Hitherto we have discussed the RIGID type of vessel with which the
name of Count Zeppelin is so closely associated。 This vessel is； as we
have seen； not dependent for its form on the gas…bag； but is maintained in
permanent shape by means of an aluminium framework。 A serious
disadvantage to this type of
