Vickers Airship Catalogue

circa 1920-22

Designs are copyright Vickers Ltd. (VSEL) and are reproduced with permission

The text links connect to 300 DPI monochrome images. The small graphics at the end of the text are links to 75 DPI grey scale images. The original catalogue used separate plates for each illustration


Index to Illustrations
Examples of typefaces
Notes
and links to 75 DPI images

This cancels all previous Cata-
logues, and is subject to altera-
tion without previous advice.

Vickers V and crown logo

Barrow No. 5 English.
Code Ref.: BABS
In referring to this catalogue
please use the above code ref.

VICKERS LIMITED
Airship Department
NAVAL CONSTRUCTION WORKS,
BARROW-IN-FURNESS

Airships and Balloons

Cablegrams:
VICKERS
London
HEAD OFFICE
VICKERS HOUSE
BROADWAY, WESTMINSTER
LONDON S.W.1

Telephone: VICTORIA 6900
Telegrams:
VICKERS, VIC,
London

telegrams:
VICKERS
Barrow-In-Furness
VICKERS LIMITED
AIRSHIP DEPT.
Naval Construction Works
BARROW-IN-FURNESS
Telephone:
351
Barrow-in-Furness

Designers and Constructors of Airships of all Types, for Naval

and Commercial Purposes; Kite Balloons and Spherical Balloons



THE ONLY RIGID AIRSHIP BUILDING COMPANY IN
GREAT BRITAIN THAT HAS BUILT LARGE AIRSHIPS TO
THEIR OWN DESIGNS



Rigid Airships for Naval Service

  • The first Rigid Airship in H.M. Navy (R.9) was entirely designed and constructed by Vickers Limited, and all Rigid Airships for H.M. Navy built up to the end of 1917, were built to the designs of Vickers Limited.

  • All Rigid Airships built for H.M. Navy are constructed of Vickers' Special Light Alloy "Duralumin."

  • Vickers Limited are prepared to undertake the complete design and construction of Rigid Airships for Naval Scouts, to meet the requirements of any Foreign Power.
  • (See Plate No. 1)

    Designed Sizes:

    
    
                                                     No. 1         No. 2
    Gross Gas Capacity ..    ..    Cubic Feet      1,250,000     3,500,000
                                   Cubic Metres       35,000        98,000
    
    Length ..    ..    ..    ..    Feet                  535           800
                                   Metres                163           244
    
    Maximum diameter and width     Feet                   70           100
                                   Metres               21.3          30.5
    
    Maximum Speed      ..    ..    Miles per hour         65            75
                                   Kilometres per hour   105           121
    
    Cruising Speed     ..    ..    Miles per hour         45            52
                                   Kilometres per hour    72            84
    
    Endurance at Maximum Speed     Hours                  60            75
                                   Miles               4,000         5,600
                                   Kilometres          6,437         9,012
    
    Endurance at Cruising Speed    Hours                 150           200
                                   Miles               6,800        10,000
                                   Kilometres         10,943        16,093
    
    

    All Structural Work of Vicker's Special Light Alloy "DURALUMIN."

    All Fabric Work of Vickers' own Special Manufacture

    COMPLETE DESIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS SUBMITTED
    TO MEET ANY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

    [2]


    Rigid Airships for Commercial Services

  • We advocate the use of Rigid Airships for all Aerial Services necessitating a non-stop run of more than 1,000 miles, and in view of the great developments pending in the use of Airships for Commercial Transport, we have prepared designs for Commercial Rigid Airships of 1,250,000 and 3,500,000 cubic feet capacity
  • (See Plates Nos. 2 and 3)

    Designed Sizes:

    
    
                                                     No. 1         No. 2
    Gross Gas Capacity ..    ..    Cubic Feet      1,250,000     3,500,000
                                   Cubic Metres       35,000        98,000
    
    Length ..    ..    ..    ..    Feet                  535           800
                                   Metres                163           244
    
    Maximum diameter and width     Feet                   70           100
                                   Metres               21.3          30.5
    
    Maximum Speed      ..    ..    Miles per hour         65            75
                                   Kilometres per hour   105           121
    
    Cruising Speed     ..    ..    Miles per hour         55            60
                                   Kilometres per hour  88.5          96.5
    
    Suitable non-stop Distance     Miles               1,000         4,000
                                   Kilometres          1,609         6,436
    
    Weight of Passengers and       Tons                    6            15
     Freight carried for above     Kilogrammes         6,096        15,241
     distance
    
    No. of Passengers accommodated                        50           100
    
    

  • These Passenger Airships would be provided with commodious Living and Sleeping Quarters for the Passengers, with all conveniences necessary to ensure the greatest possible comfort and pleasure of travel.

  • Provision would be made to enable the Airships to be moored out to Mooring Towers of Vickers' Patent Type.
  • COMPLETE DESIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS SUBMITTED TO MEET
    THE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS OF ANY PROPOSED SERVICE

    [3]


    Small Non-Rigid Airships

  • This Type of Small Airship did very successful service during the War as a Coastal Scout
  • (See Plate No. 4)

  • These Airships are very suitable for Naval Scouting and Coast Patrol, and fitted with a Special Type of Car are suitable for Passenger Carrying on a small scale, and also for private or sporting use.
  • Designed Sizes:

    
    
                                                       No. 1         No. 2
    Gross Gas Capacity ..    ..    Cubic Feet         70,000       100,000
                                   Cubic Metres        1,960         2,800
    
    Length ..    ..    ..    ..    Feet                  145           170
                                   Metres                 44            52
    
    Maximum diameter   ..    ..    Feet                   30            36
                                   Metres                9.2            11
    
    Maximum Speed      ..    ..    Miles per hour         48            55
                                   Kilometres per hour    77          88.5
    
    Cruising Speed     ..    ..    Miles per hour         40            45
                                   Kilometres per hour    64          72.5
    
    Length of Flight at Cruising   Miles                 200           300
     Speed, allowing 30% Reserve   Kilometres            322           483
     Fuel
    
    No. of Passengers carried                              4             6
    
    
    

  • The Cars are of the Boat type, provided with comfortable Seating accommodation.

  • Attachments fitted to Envelope to enable Mooring-out to a Mooring Mast of the "Masterman" Patent Type.
  • [4]

    Large Non-Rigid Airships

  • VICKERS LIMITED were the Manufacturers of the first Large Non-Rigid Airships build in Great Britain, and hold the sole Rights of Manufacture of the "PARSEVAL" Patent Type Envelopes.
  • (See Plate No. 5)

  • The Envelopes and Fittings of these Airships are practically the same for Naval Airships and for Passenger Carrying Airships, but for the latter service the Cars are specially designed for the accommodation of Passengers
  • Designed Sizes:

    
    
                                                     No. 1         No. 2
    Gross Gas Capacity ..    ..    Cubic Feet        360,000       500,000
                                   Cubic Metres       10,080        14,000
    
    Length ..    ..    ..    ..    Feet                  318           340
                                   Metres                 97         103.5
    
    Maximum diameter   ..    ..    Feet                   50            56
                                   Metres               15.2          17.1
    
    Maximum Speed      ..    ..    Miles per hour         55            60
                                   Kilometres per hour  88.5          96.5
    
    Cruising Speed     ..    ..    Miles per hour         45            50
                                   Kilometres per hour  72.5          80.5
    
    

    FOR NAVAL PATROL AIRSHIP:--

    
    Number of men in crew    ..    ..    ..    ..    ..    5    ..       8
    
    Endurance at Cruising Speed    Hours                  40            45
                                   Miles               2,000         2,250
                                   Kilometres          3,218         3,260
    
    
    FOR PASSENGER CARRYING CRUISER:--
    
    
    Length of Flight at Cruising   Miles                 300           450
     Speed, with 30% Reserve Fuel  Kilometres            433           724
    
    No. of Passengers carried                             30            50
    
    
    

  • The Cars are of the Totally Enclosed Type, of Vickers' Patent Construction, and provide ample space and comfortable accommodation for the passengers.
  • COMPLETE DESIGNS AND SPECIFICATIONS SUBMITTED ON APPLICATION

    [5]


    Kite Balloons

  • The first Kite Balloons made in Great Britain were manufactured by VICKERS LIMITED at Barrow-in-Furness.

  • We can supply types suitable for Naval and Military services; also for Advertising and Exhibition purposes, and for use in marking Aerodromes, etc.
  • (See Plate No. 6)

  • The Envelopes and Ballonets are manufactured of the finest quality Two-ply Rubber-proofed material, and coated with Aluminium or any other colour pigment for preservation of the rubber against the effect of sunlight.
  • Designed Sizes:--

    
    
                                           No. 1     No. 2     No. 3
    Gross Gas Capacity ..  Cubic Feet     28,000    35,000    42,000
                           Cubic Metres      800     1,000     1,200
    
    
    

    Spherical Balloons

    (See Plate No. 7)

  • Spherical Balloons are manufactured in all sizes up to 200,000 cubic feet, or 5,500 cubic metres, and are made of varnished fabric, goldbeaters' skin, skin-lined fabrics, or rubber-proofed fabrics, according to size and the purpose for which required.

  • The balloons may be fitted with cord nets, or with a girdle suspension, as required.

  • Square, oval, or other shapes of basket of light wicker work can be supplied as preferred.
  • [6]

    AIRCRAFT ACCESSORIES

    Mooring Masts for Rigid Airships.

    The only experiments made with Mooring Masts for Rigid Airships have been carried out to our designs, and all gear in connection therewith has been designed and manufactured throughout at our Works.

    We are now able to arrange for the landing and mooring of rigid airships of any size by means of automatic devices for which we hold the Patents, entirely obviating the use of large bodies of men for handling parties.

    Designs for Commercial Aerodromes complete in all details, equipped with Vickers Standard Mooring Mast suitable for passenger service, can be prepared to suit any requirements.

    Existing rigid airships may be modified to take our Patent Mooring and landing Gear, enabling them to land and remain moored at any Air Station provided with Mooring Masts.

    (See Plate No. 8)

    Mooring Masts for Non-Rigid Airships.

    Mooring Masts for Non-Rigid Airships have been designed And made by us in conjunction with Brigadier-General E. A. Masterman, C.M.G, R.A.F., the holder of the Patents for the only successful type of non-rigid mooring mast yet produced.

    Ships equipped with these mooring masts have withstood gales of over 50 m.p.h. without loss or damage, while landing at the mast and leaving for a flight are readily accomplished in winds of any average velocity.

    We are prepared to undertake the manufacture of mooring masts for non-rigid airships of any size under Ceneral Masterman's Patents.

    (See Plate No. 9)

    Fabric Work for Rigid Airships.

    We are the largest Makers, and the Pioneers in Great Britain, in the manufacture of fabrics, and the construction of gasbags, outer covers, ballast bags, buffer bags, and all other fabric parts for rigid airships. We were the first Firm to develop the process of manufacturing skin-lined gasbags. We are in a position to manufacture gasbags and any other fabric components to any requirements.

    Envelopes for Non-Rigid Airships

    We are specialists in this work, and the only makers of envelopes with the "PARSEVAL" Patent System of Trajectory band suspension. We can design and manufacture any size required.

    Fabric Work for Aeroplanes. Flotation bags and air bags for aeroplanes and seaplanes of any size and type.

    Metal Fittings for Airships and Balloons.

    We manufacture gas valves, ballast valves, and standard fittings of all kinds for Rigid and Non-Rigid Airships.

    (See Plate No. 10)

    Petrol and Oil Stop Valves.

    STANDARD SIZES  Inches   1/4   5/16   3/8   7/16   1/2   9/16   5/8    BORE
               Millimetres   6.35  7.94   9.52  11.11  12.7  14.79  15.87
    
    with "Duralumin" bodies and rustless steel ball valves.

    "Duralumin" Work

    We are specialists in the manufacture of all classes of work in Vickers' Special Light Alloy "Duralumin," including stampings, drop forgings, and plate work of all kinds, and to any quantity.

    [7]

    Notes

    This catalogue was printed by Vickers Ltd. in approximately 1920-22. Internal evidence suggests 1921. Vickers were (and still are) one of Britain's largest shipbuilders, and were then a successful manufacturer of military aircraft and dirigibles.

    Prices were not listed; presumably quotes were available as requested. If you needed to ask, you probably couldn't afford it.

    Some of the airships described in this catalogue were built, others never got past the drawing board. Specifically:

    Thanks to Paul Davidson for copying the catalogue and obtaining permission for its reproduction, and to Vickers (VSEL) for this permission. Nigel Caley provided the new information that has been added to this revision. Please note that all designs remain the property of Vickers. Talk to them if you actually want to build one...

    All graphics were scanned from photocopies at 300 DPI, and have been edited to remove dots etc.; the 75 DPI greyscale images were made by resampling the 300 DPI images. Illustrations are as follows:

    Company logo & title, a "paste up" of the top, middle and bottom of the page.
    VICK_00.GIF
    Vickers "V" and Crown logo (300 DPI only)
    Plate 1 - Rigid Naval airship
    VICK_01.GIF
    Plate 2 - 1,250,000 cbc. ft. commercial airship
    VICK_02.GIF
    Plate 3 - 3,500,000 cbc. ft. commercial airship
    VICK_03.GIF
    Plate 4 - 100,000 cbc. ft. sea scout
    VICK_04.GIF
    Plate 5 - 360,000 cbc. ft "Parseval" type
    VICK_05.GIF
    Plate 6 - Kite balloon
    VICK_06.GIF
    Plate 7 - Spherical balloon
    VICK_07.GIF
    Plate 8 - Aerodrome and mooring tower for rigid airship
    VICK_08.GIF
    Plate 9 - Mooring mast for non-rigid airship
    VICK_09.GIF
    Model of large commercial airship (as plate 3)
    (Scanned from a photocopy of a photograph)
    Note: The roundels shown on this model are somewhat puzzling on a civilian airship.
    VICK_10.GIF
    Examples of the typefaces used in the catalogue.
    VICK_11.GIF

    A copy of plate 10 was not available.

    Honesty compels me to admit that in the years since the ASCII text version was scanned to disk I have lost the originals; while I have tried to recall the typography etc. as best I can for this HTML version, it is possible that some aspects are wrong.

    For various reason the first HTML version of this article was converted from one file format to another in a way that doubled the spacing of most of the pre-formatted text. This somehow went unnoticed in previous releases, but has now been corrected.

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