Check out the mast in operation - click on the
movie clip above
The
design concept for mooring airships without the need for a
ground crew came from the original concept of the "three
wire system". Experiments were carried out by the ability
to moor airships from three wires from the bow of the ship,
then the ship "flown"with the wires taught. This
proved that airships need not be housed in the hangers, of
which the Germans had proved was the time when the ships were
most vaunrable.
The first
high mast was developed in Pulham where a mast erected and
an airship was able to dock, the crew could alight the ship,
and also be refuelled and ballasted at the same time. This
was used for a number of years by many of the ships stationed
there. All British rigid airships were fitted with bow mooring
gear and crew/ passenger access. Later development of the
mast lead to a higher mast of some 200ft, which also contained
a lift for easier access for crews, passengers and goods.
This later design became the template for all masts constructed
for the Imperial Airship scheme and masts were constructed
of the type in Cardington, Ismailia in Egypt, Montreal in
Canada and Karachi in India
The
Mast plans for the Standard High Mast
The
mast and winch houses under construction at Cardington
