The British Airship, R34, was the first aircraft to make a round-trip crossing of the Atlantic Ocean departing east fortune. Scotland on July 2, 1919 and arriving at Roosevelt Field Mineola. Long Island, New York, 108 hours later the return crossing to Pulham, Norfolk, England was made in 75 hours. The photo shows the R34 being readied for her first flight at Inchinnan, Scotland, March 14, 1919. The R34 was powered by five 250 HP engines, giving her a maximum speed of 62 MPH and a cruising speed of 45 MPH. Other dimensions were Length - 643 Feet, Diameter - 79 Feet, Gas Capacity - 1,950,000 Cubic Feet. The R34 was broken up on a Yorkshire hillside during a training flight, January 27, 1921. |