Cardington
R101
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Evening News 14th October 1929(Late Extra Edition)
Transcription
TRAFFIC HELD UP IN MANY STREETS
BUS DRIVERS AND POINT POLICEJOIN IN R101 GAZING
A FINE SPECTACLE
London stood still for a minute or two today to see R101, Britains new 1,000,000 airship. And London voted her a very fine spectacle indeedwhatever she may prove to be as a commercial proposition.
When she appeared overhead traffic in King Street, Threadneedle Street and Cheapside in the City, and in the Haymarket and Piccadilly in the West End, was completely held up by sky-gazers. Buses and cars pulled up sharply. Even traffic policemen joined in the eyes upward movement.
It is safe to say that almost every eye in London was turned towards the skies as she passed overhead. People ran from shops and houses into the streets or flocked to windows. On the flat roofs of all tall buildings there were throngs of people.
Aeroplanes which escorted her were dwarfed by her gigantic bulk that they looked almost like wasps.
The Airship reached London much sooner than expected. When she left her mooring tower at Cardington, Bedfordshire, shortly before noon she was expected to fly to Oxford and then turn towards London, not flying in a direct line, but circling and turning to test her engines and navigability.
Instead her commander changed his programme and made for London first. The airship approached by way of Hampstead, circled the City and West End flying low, then rose higher and flew away north again. She arrived back at Cardington in mid afternoon, and continued to fly above the landing ground for a time.
She carried a crew of 38 and 14 passengers on the flight.
Evening News 14th October 1929
Page last updated: 3rd February 2014