CROSS SECTION OF THE GAS-BAG OF THE ASTRA-TORRES, SHOWING METHOD OF CAR SUSPENSION
The U. S. A. Blimp is about 160 feet long, rounded in front and tapering to a pointed stern. Its stability and balance are increased by five “fins” at its stern; and it has also four rudders. The car, which is exactly like the ordinary airplane body, has two seats, for pilot and observer, suspended directly from the base of the envelope by wire cables. The Blimp carries a 100 horse power Curtiss aviation motor, and is equipped with wireless for exchanging messages.
The French have a small airship very much like the Blimp which they use for scout duty. It is called the Zodiac, and before the war was designed as a private pleasure car. Because of the fact that it could be easily packed and transported from place to place it was drafted into the service early in the war. Naturally, if an airship has to be kept inflated when not in use it is a constant target for the enemy's gunfire; and a small dirigible which can be packed up in an hour when not needed and readily inflated when the call for action comes is a very much safer proposition.
There are several sizes and slightly different shapes of the Zodiac, but the shape of the envelope in all of them is very similar to the Blimp, tapering toward the stern with fins to give stability. A large sail-like rudder is set beneath the stern of the ship.
Probably the most interesting thing about the Zodiac is the car which in most models has a very long wooden framework. This framework, or girder, by its length distributes the weight along the whole length of the envelope. The car, in which the pilot and observer sit, is set in this girder.
Copyright Underwood and Underwood
THE “BLIMP,” C-1, THE LARGEST DIRIGIBLE OF THE AMERICAN NAVY