The Rise Of Australasia

Chapter 131: Flight Plan (Part 1)

On October 7,1902, Arthur had just attended the third induction ceremony for freshmen at the Australian National University. He then met with two talents, Theodore Korbel and Ludwig Durrell, who came all the way from Germany.

The historical reputations of these two talents are not significant, and even their current fame is not that prominent.

However, the first Zeppelin airship they participated in the design of has achieved remarkable results and even won the Victoria Science and Technology Award in 1901.

When it comes to the Zeppelin airship, a famous name must be mentioned, which is the true manufacturer of the Zeppelin airship, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

Count Zeppelin, a retired lieutenant general of the German Army, became famous for his invention of the Zeppelin airship.

In history, Zeppelin was a pioneer in the German aviation industry and the inventor of large-scale practical rigid airships.

In the era when airplanes were not yet born, airships were the only way for people to reach the sky.

The Zeppelin airship that won the Victoria Award was created by Zeppelin, Theodore Korbel, and Ludwig Durrell.

The LZ-i Zeppelin airship, which they jointly built, was about 128 meters long, had a diameter of 11.7 meters, and its gasbag had a total capacity of about 11,300 cubic meters.

The airship had two external hanging cabins, each equipped with a 16 horsepower engine.

In the first flight experiment two years ago, the airship achieved remarkable results, not only being able to carry at least six tons of cargo but also flying at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour for several tens of kilometers.

Of course, the reason for the Zeppelin to win the Victoria Technology Award was not just these. As the only means for humans to reach the sky before the birth of airplanes, airships still had a lot of development prospects for at least two to three decades.

This period will also be the peak period of airship development, until the famous Hindenburg disaster occurs.

Arthur understands the various limitations and shortcomings of airships, so naturally, they will not be the main development target for Australia.

However, it cannot be denied that during this time, airships indeed had a significant role. Furthermore, while the world’s attention is attracted by airships, Australia quietly developing airplanes is also a good idea.

At least before the large air disaster, people still had a good impression and curiosity about such large objects that could fly in the sky.

But as a retired German Army Lieutenant General and Count, Zeppelin naturally would not be able to serve as a researcher in Australia.

However, his two capable assistants, Theodore Korbel and Ludwig Durrell, who participated in the design of the first Zeppelin airship, were willing to come to Australia.

Not to mention anything else, the establishment of an independent research laboratory and at least ten thousand pounds of research funding per year offered by Australia was enough to entice the two of them.

Although the real founder of the Zeppelin airship was not invited, Theodore Korbel and Ludwig Durrell were both outstanding talents in the German aviation field. Before designing the Zeppelin airship, they made remarkable contributions and research results in the aviation field.

At the Manor House, Arthur officially met Theodore Korbel and Ludwig Durrell.

Although it has been almost a year since Count Zeppelin won the Victoria Technology Award, David Martins Simons, the Royal European Affairs Supervisor, has already extended an olive branch to the two of them.

However, their thinking time, combined with solving existing work issues, took almost half a year. By the time they arrived in Australia, the Victoria Awards for the new year were about to be presented.

“Dr. Theodore Korbel, Dr. Ludwig Durrell, welcome to Australia!” Arthur greeted them with a smile.

“Thank you, Your Highness. It is our honor to come to Australia to work,” the two responded in unison.

“The LZ-i airship you participated in the design of, I have some understanding of its information. In terms of rigid large airships, you have already achieved remarkable results. Although Mr. Zeppelin cannot come, I believe that under the efforts of the two experts, we can still replicate or even design more advanced and larger airships.” Arthur said, expressing his purpose directly.

“That should not be a problem, Your Highness. Replicating an LZ-i airship is not difficult. However, if we want to improve its performance, I am afraid it will take a longer time.” Theodore Korbel voiced his concerns: “Although during this time, we and Mr. Zeppelin have also started to improve and redesign the airship, the progress has not been fast. There are still some problems to be solved in the design of the engine and motorboat.”

“Time is not a problem, and funds are not a problem. I will provide you with sufficient research funding, and the improvement and research of airships will be one of your most important tasks. Of course, I will also invite more experts from Europe to help you complete this grand design,” Arthur said with a smile.

Even the famous Zeppelin airship in history took more than ten years of research before it was officially put into commercial use in the second decade of the 20th century.

“The first? Your Highness, do you have other plans?” Ludwig Durrell keenly grasped the additional information in Arthur’s words and asked with a hint of doubt.

Although they are currently outstanding talents in the field of aviation, the aviation field that has achieved something so far is the airship industry.

Since the birth of the balloon, ideas about driving and propelling balloons have promoted the birth of airships. Now, more than a hundred years have passed since the birth of the first airship, and airships have developed remarkably.

From the very first human-powered airship to the present soft and rigid airships, various airships can now carry people and cargo and conduct short- range flights in the air.

From the initial slow progress of airships to a speed of 94 kilometers per hour, and even now a speed of more than 25 kilometers per hour.

The cruising speed of the LZ-i rigid airship is equivalent to that of the current warship, but the airship does not have to take detours in the air, making it suitable for navigation in any terrain.

As long as the problems of endurance and safety are solved, and the single range of airships can break through 300 or even 500 kilometers, then airships can be considered to have a practical use.

Of course, to achieve a great global flight like the historical “Graf Zeppelin” airship, it is still very difficult to achieve with the current technology.

However, if it is only for short-distance transportation of materials and the establishment of air transport routes, it is possible to achieve it in a short time.