Memoirs of a real Airship Pilot!
I acquired this wonderful book a month ago at a "Antique Mall" in Airdrie Alberta.
Written by T.B. Williams and published in 1974. This book chronicles the his adventures after joined the Royal Navy in 1915 to become an Airship pilot. In the days before the fixed wing heavier than air craft became the standard military aircraft, the hydrogen filled airship, non-rigid and semi rigid were the mainstay of the Royal Navy for scouting and convoy protection from submarine attack near the coast of England. No convoy suffered a loss from submarine attack when one of these airships was in attendance during their approach.
Williams was awarded Airship Pilot Certificate no 28 in 1917. He was instrumental in the training of other pilots as well as being on the crew of the Italian semi-rigid that was the first aircraft to ever fly from Italy to England. He eventually was promoted to Captain.
A fascinating look at the uses that the Royal Navy, and later the Royal Airforce put these primitive but very useful craft too.
Captain Williams also chronicles the post war decline and attempted resurrection of the Airship, for commercial use including the R100 and R101.
The book is filled with interesting photographs and has an extensive bibliography of books that will be very useful to track down.
A must read for anyone interested in this unsung chapter of military aviation.
Keep your sightglass full, your firebox trimmed and your water ived.
KJ
Title
Airship Pilot No.28
Author
Captain T.B. Williams A.F.C.
Publisher
Willia Kimber and Co.
London
Date
1974
ISBN
07-183-0153-6
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