What was the primary purpose for which the R.38 class airships were designed?

The R.38 class airships, also known as the A class, were designed for Britain's Royal Navy during the final months of the First World War. Their intended role was long-range patrol duties over the North Sea.

How many airships of the R.38 class were initially ordered, and what happened to most of them?

Initially, four similar airships of the R.38 class were ordered by the Admiralty. However, orders for three of these—R.39, R.40, and R.41—were canceled after the armistice with Germany.

What was the fate of the lead ship of the R.38 class, and what was its designation by its new owner?

The lead ship, R.38, was sold to the United States Navy in October 1919 before its completion. The US Navy designated it ZR-2.

When and where did the R.38 (ZR-2) airship meet its end, and what was the immediate consequence?

The R.38 (ZR-2) airship was destroyed by a structural failure on August 24, 1921, while flying over the city of Hull, England. It crashed into the Humber Estuary.

What was the casualty count for the R.38 disaster, and what notable non-human passenger was also lost?

The disaster resulted in the deaths of 44 out of the 49 crew members aboard. Additionally, a black cat named Snowball was also lost in the crash.

What significant distinction did the R.38 hold at the time of its first flight?

At the time of its first flight, the R.38 was the largest airship in the world.

What specific performance requirements did the Admiralty set for the R.38 class airships in June 1918?

The Admiralty required an airship capable of patrolling for six days at ranges up to 300 miles from its base and reaching altitudes of up to 22,000 feet. A heavy armament load was also specified for escorting surface vessels.

Which company was initially awarded the construction contract for the R.38, and what caused delays and changes in its manufacturing?

The construction contract was awarded to Short Brothers in September 1918 but was initially canceled before work began. It was re-ordered in February 1919, but the manufacturing facility at Cardington, Bedfordshire, was nationalized, and responsibilities became confused between the Admiralty, Royal Air Force, and the new Royal Airship Works.

What were the planned variants of the R.38 class, and why was their design modified?

The original plan included three more ships: R.39 (identical to R.38), and R.40 and R.41, which were variants with a reduced length of 690 feet. This reduction was necessary due to the limited size of existing manufacturing sheds.

What structural modifications did the United States Navy request for the R.38 before its completion?

The US Navy requested modifications to the bow to allow mooring to a mast, access from the keel to the mast, and the addition of weight to the stern to ensure proper balance.

Describe the internal structure of the R.38's hull.

The hull contained 14 hydrogen-filled gasbags. It featured 13-sided mainframes spaced 49 feet apart, constructed from diamond-shaped trusses. These were connected by 13 main and 12 secondary longitudinal girders, along with a trapezoidal keel. Two secondary ring frames were positioned between each pair of mainframes.

How were the engines arranged on the R.38 airship?

Six Sunbeam Cossack engines were housed in individual cars. These were arranged in three pairs: one pair aft of the control car, one pair amidships, and the third pair at the aft of the airship. Each engine drove a two-bladed pusher propeller.

What type of tail surfaces did the R.38 utilize?

The airship had cruciform tail surfaces, which were unbraced cantilevers. These surfaces carried aerodynamically balanced elevators and rudders.

Why was the United States Navy particularly interested in acquiring rigid airships after World War I?

The US Navy sought to expand its fleet with rigid airships. They initially hoped to obtain Zeppelins as war reparations, but these were deliberately destroyed by their crews.

What other rigid airships were the US Navy planning or building around the same time they acquired the R.38?

The US Navy had placed an order for a new Zeppelin (which became the USS Los Angeles) to be paid for by Germany, and they also planned to build one in the United States (which became the USS Shenandoah).

For how much did the United States Navy purchase the R.38?

The agreement for the purchase of the R.38 was reached in October 1919 for £300,000.

What specific concerns were raised by US Navy personnel regarding the R.38's structural integrity?

Following significant girder failures during testing, Commander Jerome Hunsacker and Charles Burgess raised questions. Burgess concluded that the airship's transverses were only just strong enough and lacked a safety factor.

What was the proposed flight testing schedule for the R.38 before its handover to the US Navy?

J. E. M. Pritchard proposed 100 hours of flight testing, including flights in rough weather, followed by an additional 50 hours flown by an American crew before the transatlantic crossing.

Who disagreed with the proposed extensive testing schedule for the R.38, and what was the Air Ministry's final decision?

Commander Maxfield of the Howden Detachment disagreed, urging completion of tests in one day. Air Commodore Edward Maitland also disagreed, finding the abbreviated schedule appalling. The Air Ministry ultimately ruled that 50 hours of testing would be sufficient.

What technical issues were identified during the R.38's first flight on June 23-24, 1921?

The first flight revealed problems with the over-balance of the control surfaces.

What modifications were made to the control surfaces after the initial test flights, and did they fully resolve the issue?

The balance area of the top rudder was reduced, and later, all control surfaces were reduced in area. However, the control balance problem persisted.

What structural failures were observed during the third flight of the R.38 over the North Sea?

During the third flight, several girders in the vicinity of the midship engine cars failed. Specifically, girders of intermediate frame 7b and longitudinal Girder F failed in one place, while frame 7a and longitudinal F' each failed in two locations.

What advice did Air Commodore E. M. Maitland give regarding speed trials, and why was it significant?

Maitland urged that all future speed trials be conducted at higher altitudes, similar to the practice of the Germans when testing fragile Zeppelins, upon which the R.38 design was based. This advice was significant given the concerns about the airship's strength.

What was the intended destination of the R.38 on its fateful fourth flight?

The intended destination was RNAS Pulham in Norfolk, where the airship could be moored to a mast, a facility not available at Howden.

What maneuvers were being performed by the R.38 when its structure failed?

A series of turning trials was being conducted at a speed of 62.7 mph and an altitude of 2,500 feet, involving control reversals.

What did eyewitnesses report seeing as the R.38's structure failed?

Eyewitnesses reported seeing creases diagonally along the hull towards the stern, both ends drooping, the hull cracking open with men and objects falling from the rupture, and the two sections separating.

What happened immediately after the R.38's structure broke apart?

The forward section caught fire, followed by two colossal explosions. The flaming fore section fell rapidly, while the aft section descended more slowly.

Where did the wreckage of the R.38 fall?

The remains fell into the shallow waters of the Humber Estuary.

How many Americans and Britons were killed in the crash?

16 out of 17 Americans and 28 out of 32 Britons on the crew were killed.

Who were the commanding officers present on the R.38 during its final flight, and what was their fate?

Air Commodore E. M. Maitland, the experienced commander of the Howden base, and J. E. M. Pritchard, the officer in charge of flight testing, were aboard and were killed in the crash. Flight Lieutenant Archibald Herbert Wann, R.38's British Commanding Officer, survived.

Who was the sole American survivor of the R.38 disaster?

The only American to survive was Rigger Norman Otto Walker.

What was the primary conclusion of the first inquiry, chaired by Sir John Salmond?

This inquiry concluded that the structure failed while extreme control forces were being exerted. It also criticized the system where a single authority was responsible for both design and airworthiness inspection, suggesting the design should have undergone more thorough scrutiny.

What was the conclusion of the second inquiry, held by the Admiralty?

This inquiry concluded that the design did not incorporate new features affecting strength and stated that there was no existing body capable of advising on the structural strength of the R.38 at the time.

What did the technical Committee of Enquiry, chaired by Mervyn O'Gorman, determine was the cause of the failure?

The committee concluded that no allowance had been made for aerodynamic stresses in the design. While normal use loads would have been met, the maneuvers performed had weakened the hull.

What impact did the R.38 disaster have on the design of subsequent British airships?

The disaster led to a rigorous investigation of airship structures before the design of the next two British airships, the R.100 and the R.101.

What did Nevil Shute Norway (Nevil Shute) find concerning the R.38 crash reports and the handling of the situation by civil servants?

Norway was astonished to read that civil servants had made no attempt to calculate aerodynamic forces and that no one involved faced censure or dismissal for the oversight.

According to the text, what factors converged to cause risks to be taken with the R.38 project?

The demands of the Exchequer (for economy) and the US Navy's commander Maxwell converged to cause risks to be taken, which were questioned at the time but ignored with fatal consequences.

What was the specified crew size for the R.38/ZR-2?

The specified crew size was 28 to 30 individuals.

What were the key dimensions of the R.38/ZR-2?

The airship had a length of 695 feet (212 meters) and a diameter of 85 feet 4 inches (26.01 meters).

What was the total volume of the R.38/ZR-2's gasbags?

The total volume was 2,700,000 cubic feet (76,000 cubic meters).

How many Sunbeam Cossack III engines powered the R.38/ZR-2, and what was the horsepower of each?

The airship was powered by six Sunbeam Cossack III V-12 engines, each producing 350 horsepower (260 kW).

What was the maximum speed of the R.38/ZR-2?

Its maximum speed was estimated at 70 mph (110 km/h).

What was the estimated range of the R.38/ZR-2 at cruising speed?

The estimated range at cruising speed was 6,500 miles (10,500 km).

What was the service ceiling of the R.38/ZR-2?

The service ceiling was 22,000 feet (6,700 meters).

What armament was intended for the R.38/ZR-2?

It was intended to be armed with one one-pounder gun, 14 Lewis guns, and capable of carrying bombs weighing up to 4 x 520 lb (236 kg) or 6 x 230 lb (105 kg).

What was the purpose of the R.38 Memorial Prize?

Established in December 1922 by the Royal Aeronautical Society, the prize was intended to be an annual award for technical papers on airships, open to international competition.

Who received the first R.38 Memorial Prize?

The first prize was awarded to C.P. Burgess, Jerome Hunsacker, and Starr Truscott for their paper titled "The Strength of Rigid Airships."

R38-class Airship Wiki: The R38: A Skyward Tragedy

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Overview

British Origins

The R.38 class, also designated the A class, comprised a series of rigid airships conceived for the British Royal Navy during the latter stages of the First World War. The primary objective was to develop a platform capable of extended long-range patrols over the North Sea, equipped for escort duties.

Transatlantic Transfer

Initially, four airships of this class were commissioned. However, following the armistice, orders for three were rescinded. The lead airship, R.38, was significantly altered and ultimately sold to the United States Navy in October 1919, prior to its completion.

Tragic Demise

Designated ZR-2 by the US Navy, the R.38 met a catastrophic end on August 24, 1921. While undergoing flight trials over Kingston upon Hull, the airship experienced a structural failure, breaking apart and crashing into the Humber Estuary. This disaster claimed the lives of 44 of the 49 individuals on board, including key personnel.

Design and Development

Admiralty Specifications

The Admiralty's requirement, issued in June 1918, stipulated an airship capable of six-day patrols up to 22,000 feet, with a substantial armament load for escort missions. Design responsibilities were managed by an Admiralty team led by Constructor-Commander C. I. R. Campbell.

Construction and Revisions

The construction contract was initially awarded to Short Brothers but was later transferred to the newly nationalized Royal Airship Works at Cardington. The design underwent significant modifications requested by the US Navy, including structural adjustments to the bow for mast mooring and the addition of stern weight to ensure stability.

Structural Elements

The airship featured a hull containing 14 hydrogen-filled gasbags. Its structure was based on 13-sided mainframes, interconnected by longitudinal girders and a trapezoidal keel. Two secondary ring frames were positioned between each pair of mainframes. The control car was integrated directly into the forward hull, and the cruciform tail surfaces were cantilevered, supporting aerodynamically balanced elevators and rudders.

Sale to the United States

Post-War Transition

The United States Navy sought to expand its fleet of rigid airships. After their initial attempts to acquire German Zeppelins as war reparations failed due to deliberate scuttling, they turned their attention to the R.38 project. An agreement was finalized in October 1919 for the purchase of the unfinished airship for £300,000.

Structural Concerns

As construction progressed, American engineers, including Commander Jerome Hunsacker and Charles Burgess, began scrutinizing the design documentation. Burgess's analysis indicated that the airship's transverse frames were only marginally strong enough, lacking any significant safety factor. These concerns were raised regarding potential girder failures during testing.

Operational History

Initial Trials

The R.38, now designated ZR-2, commenced its flight trials on June 23-24, 1921. The initial seven-hour flight revealed control surface over-balance issues. Subsequent flights on July 17-18 and July 30-31 addressed these problems, but structural weaknesses, particularly in the vicinity of the midship engine cars, became apparent. Girders and frame sections showed signs of failure during these tests.

Concerns were voiced by experienced personnel, including Air Commodore E. M. Maitland, regarding the abbreviated testing schedule and the airship's structural integrity. Despite these reservations, the Air Ministry mandated a reduced testing period. The decision to proceed with further trials, including speed and turning maneuvers, was made under pressure and with incomplete understanding of the aerodynamic stresses involved.

Pre-Crash Concerns

Despite the identified structural issues and control imbalances, the airship was prepared for its fourth flight. The planned route included a transit to RNAS Pulham for mooring trials, but adverse weather conditions redirected the airship back out to sea for an overnight stay. The decision to proceed with aggressive maneuvers, particularly turning trials at speed, was a critical factor leading to the disaster.

The Fatal Crash

August 24, 1921

On the afternoon of August 24, 1921, the ZR-2 (R.38) departed for its fourth flight. After conducting a brief speed trial, reaching approximately 71.9 mph, the airship commenced turning trials at an altitude of 2,500 feet. While flying over Hull, a series of rapid control reversals were executed.

Structural Failure

At approximately 17:37, as the airship passed near the coast, eyewitnesses observed diagonal creases forming along the hull. The structure failed catastrophically mid-ship. Both the forward and aft sections drooped, with the hull cracking open. The forward section subsequently caught fire, followed by two large explosions, scattering debris into the Humber Estuary.

Loss of Life

The disaster resulted in the loss of 44 lives out of the 49 crew members. This included the airship's British Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Archibald Herbert Wann, and the officer in charge of flight testing, J. E. M. Pritchard. The event marked the first of the major airship disasters of the 20th century.

Aftermath and Legacy

Official Inquiries

Three official inquiries were convened to investigate the R.38 disaster. The initial inquiry concluded that structural failure occurred under extreme control forces, criticizing the lack of independent scrutiny for the design and the combined responsibility for design and inspection. Subsequent inquiries offered differing perspectives on the extent of design flaws versus operational stresses.

Impact on Future Design

The R.38 disaster profoundly influenced the design and testing protocols for subsequent British airships, notably the R100 and R101. It highlighted critical deficiencies in understanding aerodynamic stresses and the necessity for rigorous, independent structural analysis and testing procedures in large aircraft design.

Specifications

Technical Data

The R.38/ZR-2 was a monumental aircraft for its time, representing the pinnacle of rigid airship engineering prior to its loss.

Characteristic	Specification
Type	Patrol airship
National Origin	United Kingdom
Manufacturer	Short Brothers
Status	Destroyed August 24, 1921
Primary User	United States Navy
Crew	28–30
Length	695 ft (212 m)
Diameter	85 ft 4 in (26.01 m)
Volume	2,700,000 cu ft (76,000 m³)
Powerplant	6 × Sunbeam Cossack III V-12 engines, 350 hp (260 kW) each
Maximum Speed	70 mph (110 km/h, 61 kn)
Service Ceiling	22,000 ft (6,700 m)
Armament (Intended)	1 × one-pounder gun, 14 × Lewis guns, 4 × 520 lb bombs, 6 × 230 lb bombs

Memorials

Hull Commemoration

A memorial stands in Hull, commemorating the victims of the R.38 disaster. In 2021, a centenary service was held at Hull Minster to honor the memory of those lost in the tragedy.

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References

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller. "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982, p. 34

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller (1982). "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. p. 35.

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller. "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982, p. 39

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller. "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982, p. 40

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller. "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982, p. 41

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller. "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982, p. 42

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller. "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982, p. 45

US Navy photograph of plaque showing US losses

US Navy photograph of plaque showing British losses

Douglas H. Robinson, and Charles L. Keller. "Up Ship!": U.S. Navy Rigid Airships 1919â1935. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1982, p. 220, note 36

A full list of references for this article are available at the R38-class airship Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This content has been generated by an AI and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is based on historical data and may not encompass all nuances or interpretations of the events surrounding the R38-class airship. The information is presented as a historical overview and does not constitute professional engineering, aviation, or historical advice.

This is not aviation or historical advice. The information provided is not a substitute for consulting official historical records, engineering analyses, or expert consultation. Always refer to primary sources and expert historical accounts for comprehensive understanding.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The R38: A Skyward Tragedy

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Overview ℹ️

🇬🇧 British Origins

🇺🇸 Transatlantic Transfer

💥 Tragic Demise

Design and Development ⚙️

📏 Admiralty Specifications

🏗️ Construction and Revisions

🔩 Structural Elements

Sale to the United States 🤝

🚢 Post-War Transition

🤔 Structural Concerns

Operational History ✈️

📜 Initial Trials

⚠️ Pre-Crash Concerns

The Fatal Crash 💥

🗓️ August 24, 1921

📉 Structural Failure

⚰️ Loss of Life

Aftermath and Legacy ⚖️

🔍 Official Inquiries

💡 Impact on Future Design

Specifications 📊

🧮 Technical Data

Memorials 🎗️

📍 Hull Commemoration

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

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Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Overview

British Origins

Transatlantic Transfer

Tragic Demise

Design and Development

Admiralty Specifications

Construction and Revisions

Structural Elements

Sale to the United States

Post-War Transition

Structural Concerns

Operational History

Initial Trials

Pre-Crash Concerns

The Fatal Crash

August 24, 1921

Structural Failure

Loss of Life

Aftermath and Legacy

Official Inquiries

Impact on Future Design

Specifications

Technical Data

Memorials

Hull Commemoration

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice