Rigid Airships and their Development

Abstract

This paper has been prepared as a continuation to the very interesting general airship paper read before the Royal Aëronautical Society by Wing-Commander T. R. Cave-Brown-Cave. An attempt has been made not so much to describe in detail the various parts of a rigid airship as to discuss along broad lines the underlying requirements and problems and the difficulties facing future development. It is hoped that this paper will also serve as an introduction to further papers dealing with specialised parts of the general subject “ Rigid Airships,” such as mooring, fabric, machinery installations, etc. When considering problems connected with future technical development, it is in the first instance necessary to realise clearly the scope and functions of the operational requirements, and thus to provide a sound basis from which to start. The first problem to consider in this connection is the difference between military and commercial requirements.