ly
slower than the B.E. 2C type, but this was compensated for owing to the
increased comfort provided for the crew, the cars being more roomy and
suitable for airship work in every way.

The system of rigging to all intents and purposes is the same in all
types of S.S. ships, the suspensions being adjusted to suit the
different makes of car.

In these ships the pilot sits in front, and behind him is the wireless
telegraphy operator; in several cases a third seat was fitted to
accommodate a passenger or engineer; dual rudder and elevator controls
are provided for the pilot and observer.

The engine is mounted aft, driving a four-bladed pusher propeller, with
the petrol tanks situated in front feeding the carburettors by gravity.
The engines used are Rolls Royce Renaults, although in one instance a
75 horse-power Rolls Royce Hawk engine was fitted, which assisted in
making an exceedingly useful ship.

S.S. ARMSTRONG WHITWORTH

The car designed by Messrs. Armstrong Whitworth is of the tractor type
and is in all ways generally similar to the B.E. 2C. The single-skid
landing chassis with buffers is the outstanding difference. These cars
had to be rigged to 70,000 cubic feet envelopes otherwise the margin of
lift was decidedly small. A water-cooled 100 horse-power Green engine
propelled the ship, and a new feature was the disposition of petrol,
which was carried in two aluminium tanks slung from the envelope and
fed through flexible pipes to a two-way cock and thence to the
carburettors. These tanks, which were supported in a fabric sling,
showed a saving in weight of 100 lb. compared with those fitted in the
B.E. 2C.

For over two years these three types of S.S. ships performed a great
part of our airship patrol and gave most excellent results.

Owing to the constant patrol which was maintained whenever weather
conditions were suitable, the hostile submarine hardly dared to show
her periscope in the waters which were under observation. In addition
to this, practically the whole of the airship personnel now filling the
higher positions, such as Captains of Rigids and North Seas, graduated
as pilots in this type of airship. From these they passed to the
Coastal and onwards to the larger vessels.

As far as is known the height record for a British airship is still
held by an S.S.B.E. 2C, one of these ships reaching the altitude of
10,300 feet in the summer of 1916.

The Maurice Farman previously mentioned as b