Originally Posted by
Footless Halls
Great to realise that some people still think of this great achievement by these brave men. I often wonder how aviation history might have changed if the R34 had beaten Alcock and Brown across the Pond?
Do not think for one moment that both rivals were not aware of what the other was trying to achieve. Alcock and Brown must have been aware of the R34. On the other side there must have been a lot of Americans trying to achieve this world record.
The Daily Mail offered a great prize
The R34 made its first flight on the 14 March 1919.
It was then decided to go for the first return Atlantic crossing under the command of Major George Scott.
The R34 had never been intended as a passenger carrier and extra accommodation was arranged by slinging hammocks in the keel walkway. Hot food was provided by cooking on a plate welded to the engine exhaust pipe. Leaving Britain on 2 July 1919 she arrived in Long Island, United States on 6 July after a flight of 108 hours with virtually no fuel left. As the landing party had no experience of handling large rigid airships, Major EM Pritchard jumped by parachute and so became the first person to reach American soil by air from Europe. This was the first East-West crossing of the Atlantic and was done two weeks after the first non-stop Atlantic crossing by Alcock & Brown. The return journey to Pulham Market in Norfolk was from 10 to 13 July and took 75 hours
How did America really feel to see this touch down?
The full complement of the crew of the R34
Engineers
Major G. H. Scott A.F.C.
Captain G. S. Greenland
2nd Lt. H. F. Luck
2nd Lt. J. D. Shotter
Major G. G. H. Cooke D.S.C.
Major J. E. M. Pritchard O.B.E.
Lt. G. Harris
2nd Lt. R.F. Durrant
Lt. Cdr. Z. Lansdowne U.S.N.
Brig. Gen. E. M. Maitland C.M.G., D.S.O.
W.O.2 Mayes, W.R.
Flt.-Sgt. Robinson, W.J. Captain
Second Officer
Third Officer
Engineering Officer
Third Officer
Navigator
Special Duties
Meteorological Officer
Wireless Officer
Representative U.S. Navy
Special Duties
First Coxswain
Second Coxswain Flt.-Sgt. Gent, W.R.
Flt.-Sgt. Scull, N.A.
Flt.-Sgt. Ripley, R.W.
Sgt. Evenden, A.G.
Sgt. Thirlwall, J.
Cpl. Cross, E. P.
L.A.C. Graham, G.
Cpl. Gray, J.H.
A.C.2 Parker, R.
A.C.2 Northeast, J.
L.A.C. Mort, J.S.
Riggers Wireless Telegraphy
Sgt. Watson H.M.
Cpl. Burgess, R.J.
Cpl. Smith, F.
L.A.C. Fortreath, J.N.
L.A.C. Browdie, F.P. Cpl. Powell, H.R.
A.C.1. Edwards
