The increased strength of the Goliath’s framework also allowed the mounting of more powerful engines, which meant greater speed. If the hopes of Andy and the other engineers were realized, the great craft would cruise at 100 miles an hour with a top speed of 120, a decided advantage over any other craft then in service.
Mechanics had been busy the last three weeks mounting the 12 engines which were to provide the power. Each engine was mounted in a separate engine room, completely insulated from the rest of the ship to do away with the danger of fire and lessen noise. Power shafts would project through the side with six propellers on each side.
All of these facts Andy knew by heart and in the silence of the sunset hour he stood in awe before the sky king he was helping to create. In two more months the great doors would roll open, the huge mooring mast, with the Goliath in tow, would waddle out on the concrete runway, and the world’s greatest airship would be introduced to its public, some of whom would welcome it enthusiastically while others would gaze at it with questioning eyes, waiting for its trial flights to prove the claims of its builders.
Andy knew that Bert was waiting for him out on the field and he finally forced himself to leave the hangar. He had lived with the Goliath for months and the great ship was almost a part of him.
Mechanics had warmed up Andy’s plane and the trim red sportster was ready for the late afternoon spin.
“I thought you weren’t going to show up,” Bert shouted. “Been in ‘talking’ with the Goliath?”
Andy grinned and nodded.
“I don’t blame you,” shouted back Bert. “I go in there every once in a while and just sit down and look at it. Some ship!”
“I’ll say,” replied Andy. “You’d better get into a sheepskin coat. The air will be a little nippy when we get up five or six thousand feet.”
Bert agreed with the suggestion and ran to one of the airplane hangars, which was dwarfed in the lengthening shadows from the Goliath’s home. He returned with two coats, one for himself and one for Andy.