The R 100
edited from the
Airship Heritage Trust
Launched on 19th July 1921, the R80 was the first truly
streamlined British airship.
Statistics:
|
Length |
719.5ft |
Diameter |
133.5ft |
Speed |
64mph |
Engines |
6 x 650hp |
Volume |
5, 156, 000cft |
Following the completion of the R101,
the R100 followed closely on being a innovative and modern ship when
compared to it's counterparts at the time. The daring decision to
move way from the more traditional Zeppelin design lines were shown
in the more oval, streamlined and aerodynamic shape of both the R100
and R101.
With the decision to construct two ships, one by the Royal Airship
Works and the other by a commercial contractor, the contract for the
R100 had been awarded to Vickers, who were seen as one of the best
airship constructors considering their history with lighter than air
craft. A new subsidiary, the Airship Guarantee Company was set up
purely for the construction of the ship. . It was seen by the
government that having 2 prototypes built would lead to twice the
amount of new ideas and innovation over traditional lines. Both the
R100 and R101 teams were the first to build the more aerodynamic
airships than the traditional Zeppelin designs. The British designers
had always tried to add in the aerodynamic shape to add efficiency,
in to the design of the craft compared to contemporary ships. The R
80 being the case in point, being the most aerodynamic ship
constructed to date.
With Barnes Wallis using new design techniques assisted by Neville
Shute-Norway as his chief calculator, the R100 designed as a unique
and efficient craft. Construction of the R100 began at the Howden
construction facility in 1927, the ship being designed to only just
fit within the existing shed. Construction of the ship was slow due
to innovation's being added to the ship, such as rainwater collection
devices along the top of the ship. Also the contract for Vickers was
a ship to be constructed for a fixed contract price. It had been
commented that there was rivalry between the R100 and R101 design
teams, fueled by comments made by Nevil Shute-Norway, but resent
research discovered is contradicting the these views.
The ship was designed with only 13
longitudinal girders, compared to previous designs of up to 25, and
hence the ship was lighter. However one initial discovery of design
problems was that the outer cover would ripple in flight, however
this did not effect the performance of the ship. Also, there was an
initial slight problem with the aerodynamic forces acting on the
tail. This had shown up on wind tunnel tests but was dismissed as a
scale anomaly.
The original tail design was a very
sharp tapering point, but the pressures built up and the tip broke
off on one test flight (see flight log). This was later replaced with
the more traditional rounded tail.
With the prototype completed the R100
had design features which were to be incorporated within the next
generation of ships. The interior passenger space was unique and
never been seen in an airship, and was very different from that which
was designed for the R101.
Competition was high between the two
design teams but it was still seen that both of these ships were
prototypes unique. On a global scale, the Imperial Airship scheme was
the largest project of it's kind, when in 1929 the only competition
was from Germany with the smaller ZL127 "Graf Zeppelin". Not until
the Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin II some 7 years later would newly
designed commercial passenger airships of this scale would take to
the skies.
Interiors - Luxury in
flight
A double staircase led down to the
interior dining room. The dining and central space had galleries in
which passenger could get to the accommodation. Flanked on each side
were two large panoramic windows allowing a two tier promenade deck
giving the interior a large open and light feel. The interior was
different again from the set up of the R101, and the idea being that
the design details would be taken from both ships and utilised in the
next generation of airship. The R100 could carry 100 passengers in a
selection of accommodations, an arrangement of 14 2 berth and 18 4
berth cabins were available.
The Main Lounge & Grand Staircase
The Promenade Decks
Voyage to Canada
The ship was flow from Howden to her
new home at the Royal Airship Works, Cardington. After the trial
flights and the flights checking the outer cover ripple effect, the
ship was tasked with a trip to the Canada, successfully crossing the
Atlantic to Montreal to the newly erected mast.
The ship slipped the moorings from the Cardington Mast at 02.48am on
the morning of 29th August 1930. The ship flew over the Atlantic and
headed down the Newfoundland coast to Montreal. Arriving on 1st
August at 05.37am, after a voyage of some 78hours 49 minutes, and
3,364 miles. The crew were deemed hero's for this voyage. The
crossing was not as smooth as perceived when flying towards the
Canadian coast, the ship encountered a rough storm causing the
ripping to some of the outer cover. Temporary repairs were main in
flight then the cover was replaced at the mast at Montreal.
The crews enjoyed banquets and receptions in their hour. It was seen
that this trip would be the start of many crossings and the start of
commercial operations. On 13th August 1930 the R100 was then required
to go on a "local" flight where it was received excitedly by all the
towns she crossed over. On 16th August 1930 the ship made her return
to Cardington and making use of the gulf stream, managed to knock off
some 21 hours off the outward bound flight. Arriving on 16th August
1930, at 11.06am, after 2,995 miles and a trip of 57hours 56 minutes.
On her return to Cardington she was
then put in to the shed for inspection and all intention and
readiness was made for the R101's flight to India, which was
anticipated at the end of the year. Because many of the crew members
were actually operating on both ships, the majority of the crew were
transferred over to the R101.
Final Life of the R100
Not much is ever written about the
final days of the R100 following her retirement to the shed in August
of 1930, and the crash of the R101. However recent research made by
AHT member, Brian Harrison has uncovered some very interesting facts
regarding the future of the ship.
The R100 was put back in the hanger
on 17th August 1930, and the crew looked upon at the R101 for the
next long trip. At this stage of the Imperial Airship scheme, there
was only a small group of trained officers to cover both ships.
However with the R102 in the planning stage it was seen that more
crews would be required and training was underway. However with the
destruction of the R101 in October of 1930 a decision was made to
halt all future flights.
The R100 was deflated on 11th
December 1930 and "hung" in the shed. The outer covers were still
under inspection but it was seen to be deteriorating in places. After
the R101 enquiry Parliament then had to discuss where the future lay
for the R100. In May of 1931 Parliament, and the Government lead by
Ramsay McDonald discussed the options and costs of what to do. The
Country was coming out of the depression years but still had a long
way to go and so there were many financial restrictions. The R100 was
seen as very advanced for it's time, and in the lighter than air
world, it was a real innovation. So much so that the American
Government had offered cheap or even free helium to inflate the ship
in return for the British technical experience and data.
It was declared that Helium deposits
had been discovered in Canada and so an option was for the sale of
the ship to the Canadian Government. There was even suggestion that
helium had been found in Ceylon and Sinagpore within the bounds of
the British Empire. Canada already had a mast from which the ship
could be serviced and this was deemed a reasonable option. The future
of the ship and the service was debated for a long of time, with
opinions given from many people for and against the project.
The three main options were to :
1. To keep the ship, refurbish the
cover and continue with the project, moving on to the R102
2. To reduce the staff numbers from 850 to 300 at the Royal Airship
Works, and keep the ship for scientific study until future plans can
be made.
3. To scrap the project.
After much long and hard
deliberation, the final outcome was that the British Government could
not afford to keep the project in place, and nor the staff at
Cardington. The world was emerging from a global financial depression
and a project of this scale could not find the financial backing from
either the private or public sector. The R100 was therefore sold for
scrap and work began to have her dismantled on 16th November 1931.
The work was finished in February 1932. The interior fixtures and
fittings were sold off, and the framework was sold for £450. A
presence was however kept at Cardington with some 300 people
continued to be employed there. Even though the ship was scrapped, an
the sheds and workshops were still kept in place for future plans.
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