Chapter 162 Testing of the Airship

March 10, 1903, New South Wales Industrial Zone.

After more than five months, Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr finally succeeded in replicating the Lz-1 rigid airship made by Count Zeppelin, and improved some of the more obvious shortcomings.

Because Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr were both Count Zeppelin's right-hand men in making airships, the replica airship almost perfectly inherited all the advantages of the Zeppelin Lz-1 airship.

And because of Australia's wealth, the two also improved some problems that Count Zeppelin knew but could not improve due to insufficient funds when replicating the airship, which gave birth to this replica airship, AU-1.

As soon as the airship was born, Arthur came to the aviation laboratory on the outskirts of Sydney, not only to observe this pioneer who explored the rigid airship era, but also to release information to the outside world that the purpose of Australia's aviation laboratory is to develop airships.

Because it is a complete imitation of the lz-1 rigid airship, the AU-1 is basically not much different from the lz-1 in terms of appearance and performance.

The AU-1 airship is 128 meters long, 11.7 meters in diameter, and has a total hydrogen capacity of about 11,300 cubic meters.

What's even more terrifying is that the load capacity of this airship has reached nearly ten tons, which is a figure that no other means of transportation can match except for trains and transport ships with multiple carriages.

But both trains and transport ships have many huge limitations. Trains must run on rails, and train stations and other facilities must be built, which costs and takes a lot of time.

Although transport ships only need to sail in the ocean, they can only transport between ports.

And because of insufficient power, sea transportation takes the longest time and is the most inconvenient.

If the AU-1 airship can be put into commercial use after some improvements, it will be a powerful tool for transporting materials in the sky.

At least in the short term, he can provide a lot of impetus for Australia's development, and can also attract the attention of other countries in the world to airships instead of developing airplanes.

For Arthur, the development of airships is important, but it is far less important than airplanes in determining the strength of a country.

The greater role of airships is another way of transporting materials and a faster and more convenient way of transportation before the birth of airplanes.

If there is no accident, airships are destined to be eliminated by airplanes, which is why Arthur specifically ordered Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr to focus on the development of airplanes.

The test of airships requires a very open environment, so Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr specially selected an open field next to the aviation laboratory for this experiment.

Airships do not need a flat and narrow takeoff runway like airplanes. The fundamental reason for needing an open field is just to prevent accidents.

Arthur wanted to experience the airship technology of this era in person, but he gave up after being persuaded by Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr.

In fact, what they said was true. Although Count Zeppelin achieved great success in the last test, who can guarantee that Count Zeppelin's third test flight will not fail?

After all, going up to the sky is still a thrilling adventure for humans at present. If you are not careful, you may die.

Neither Arthur's guards nor Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr dared to let Arthur board the airship. Once an accident occurred, it was a responsibility that no one dared to take.

Arthur's idea was quickly dispelled, and he even broke into a cold sweat.

Even the perfect airships and airplanes in the future will have accidents, not to mention the airships and airplanes that are still in the research and development stage.

Once Arthur boarded the airship and had any accident, wouldn't he become the most unlucky time traveler?

Therefore, the whole experiment process became Arthur watching with a telescope from a distance, while Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Dur personally piloted the airship to conduct the experiment.

The destination of this test flight is the Sydney coast, which is about 40 kilometers away.

The AU-1 airship will carry more than one ton of things from the vicinity of the aviation laboratory to the destination, and then transport the steel, wood and other materials needed by the aviation laboratory back.

This experiment will carry at least one ton of materials back and forth, which greatly increases the danger of this experiment. Once an accident occurs, the materials and people may all be destroyed.

This flight test is shorter than the last test of the LZ-1 airship of Count Zeppelin, but the actual gap is not too big.

After some preparation, Professors Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Dur let out a long sigh and boarded the parked airship one after another.

There are also several assistants from the aviation laboratory accompanying them, who will help Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Dur to operate the airship better.

After obtaining Arthur's permission, AU-1 gradually took off. After the sky gradually stabilized, it turned around and flew towards the coast.

Although it was only the initial version of the rigid airship, the speed of lz-1 still reached more than 30 kilometers per hour.

As an improved version three years later, the speed of AU-1 was slightly faster than lz-1, and it could basically maintain more than 35 kilometers per hour.

Although this speed was as slow as a turtle compared to later aircraft, in the early 20th century when trains only traveled at a speed of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour, such an airship was already very fast.

Because the distance from the destination to the aviation laboratory was more than 40 kilometers, plus the time required for loading and unloading materials, it would take at least five or six hours.

It was still noon when the airship left the aviation laboratory, and it was already afternoon when it slowly returned.

Compared with the normal navigation of the airship, takeoff and landing are actually the most dangerous.

Especially landing, a slight mistake may cause a major accident, even for a rigid airship, which has greatly improved safety.

Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr operated very carefully, and the entire landing process lasted half an hour.

As the sound of the airship approaching the ground came, Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, the first AU-1 rigid airship range test was a complete success! The supplies we carried were one ton and one and a half tons respectively, the sailing distance was about 80 kilometers, and the total sailing time was six hours and seven minutes." As soon as they got off the airship, Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr couldn't wait to say to Arthur.

"The actual time used for airship navigation was only a little over two hours. Our airship can maintain a constant speed of about 35 kilometers and continue to sail. It is also very stable in the sky without major turbulence." Theodor Kobel said with a smile.

"Check to see if there is any damage to the appearance and interior of the airship, and record the complete data of this experiment." Arthur ordered.

Judging from the current experiment, the test of the AU-1 airship was still successful. Although there was the successful experience of Count Zeppelin three years ago, Theodor Kobel and Ludwig Durr also made an indispensable contribution.

"After you finish all this, clean up and I will hold a small celebration banquet for you in the evening. At the same time, tell all the personnel of the Aviation Research Institute that I am very satisfied with the test results of the airship this time, and everyone will receive a reward of 500 pounds. Especially you, Professor Theodor Kobel and Professor Ludwig Durr. You have made great contributions to the imitation of the airship, and each of you will receive a reward of 2,000 pounds from the royal family." Arthur said with a smile.

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