It is therefore patent that in R 33 and R 34 we possess two
airships which can cross to America to-morrow as far as actual
distance is concerned, but various other conditions are necessary
before such voyages can be undertaken with any prospects of
commercial success.

The distance between England and America must be roughly taken as
3,000 miles. It is not reasonable for airship stations to be
situated either in the inaccessible extreme west of Ireland or
among the prevailing fogs of Newfoundland.

Weather conditions must also be taken into account; head winds
may prevail, rendering the forward speed of the ship to be small
even with the engines running full out. In calculations it is
considered that the following assumptions should be made:

1. At least 75 per cent additional petrol to be carried as would
be necessary for the passage in calm air, should unfavourable
weather conditions be met. This amount could be reduced to 50
per cent in future airships with a speed of upwards of 80
miles per hour.


2. About a quarter of the total discharge able lift of the ship
should be in the form of merchandise or passengers to render
the project a reasonable commercial proposition.

We will consider the commercial loads that can be carried by the
German airship L 70 and our airships R 33 and R 38 under the
conditions given above. Two speeds will be taken for the