The first round trip transatlantic flight

[Phil Space]

It is rather sad that this British record is hidden away in history books. In July 1919 Major George Herbert Scott of the RAF and the crew of the airship R.34 took off for the USA just a month after Alcock and Whitten-Brown's historic flight. They flew from East Fortune, Scotland, to Mineola, Long Island, New York, a distance of almost 3,000 miles, in about four and a half days. Also on board was a stowaway (William Ballantyne).
The R.34 made the return flight to Pulham, England, a few days later, marking the first round trip transatlantic flight.It covered about 7,000 miles (11,200 kilometers) in 183 hours and 15 minutes.Incidently it was at Pulham that the first mooring mast for airships was developed, eventually to become utilised throughout the world. These masts provided an easier route to the ground for the airships and their crew.
Work began on Pulham Airship Station (designed specifically for airships) in 1912. Two large sheds were added in 1917 and a mooring mast, the first of its type, in 1919. Although the station is no more, one of the sheds survives. It was moved to Cardington in 1928 to house the the airship R100. It still exists to this day.

[con-pilot]

An excellent read on this story is, "Slide Rule" by Nevil Shute (Norway). He was on the design team and was involved in the construction of this airship and was on the flight you posted.

[treadigraph]

Con-Pilot, Neville Shute was involved with the design of the R-100 and its Trans-Atlantic crossing. Slide Rule is still a great read though!

As one who suffers a bit from vertigo, I shudder at his descriptions of the construction, and of the crew strolling around atop the envelope during her flights!

Cheers

Treadders

[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?

For a really interesting read about those times, has anyone else ever read "My Airship Flights 1915-1930" by George Meagher? I picked up a copy years ago when it was first published (1970?). I doubt it ever went to a second edition... also of course "To Ride a Storm" by Peter Masefield.

Another thought: anyone shed any light on Major Scott - Captain of R34? He died in the R101 disaster at Beauvais. He seems to have been a man contemporaries had strong views about - not usually expressed. Any thoughts?

[Phil Space]

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

[con-pilot]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

Con-Pilot, Neville Shute was involved with the design of the R-100 and its Trans-Atlantic crossing. Slide Rule is still a great read though!
As one who suffers a bit from vertigo, I shudder at his descriptions of the construction, and of the crew strolling around atop the envelope during her flights!
Cheers
Treadders

Oops.

Yes you are correct, he was involved with the private industry's airship the R-100 and the government's airship was the R-101.

Thanks.