The Mastery of the Air

ll expectations, a company was formed for the construction of dirigibles in the

aced with one end on the ground in Trafalgar Square, London, its other end would be n

idea of the main features of the craft. From time to time, during the last dozen years or so, the inventor has a

ern Dreadnought. The framework was made of specially light metal, aluminium alloy, and wood. This framework, which was stayed with steel wire, maintained

ned 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

-power. One engine was placed in the forward car, and the two others in the after car. To steer her to right or left, s

motors capable of developing 820 horse-power. These drove four pr

bers was a platform of aluminium alloy, carrying a 1-pounder gun, and used also as an obser

nge to transmit and receive messages up to 350 miles. L1 could rise to the height of

e broken loose from their anchorage in a storm and have been totally destroyed. Great difficulty is also experienced in getting them

er 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 offen