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Notes

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Airship R34, built at Inchinnan in Renfrewshire during 1919, was one of a series of hydrogen-filled balloons. It was the first aircraft to make an East–West crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, from 2nd to 6th July 1919, a flight of 108 hours. Major E. M. Pritchard became the first person to reach American soil by air from Europe. The East–West crossing took place just two weeks after the Transatlantic flight of Alcock and Brown in a modified First World War Vickers Vimy bomber. The return journey to Pulham in Norfolk, from 10th to 13th July, took 75 hours. Following several disastrous airship crashes by other airships, and the growth of the aircraft industry, production of airships ended. The India Rubber Company occupied the original airship factories at Inchinnan from 1927 to 1981.

Title

Airship R34 & India Rubber Company

Date

2005

Medium

bronze

Accession number

PA4_GB_S006

Work type

Sculpture

Work status

extant

Access

at all times

Inscription description

plaque: Airship R34 & India Rubber Co. / Beardsmore’s of Inchinnan built the Airship / R34 in 1919. One of a series of huge / hydrogen balloons supported by an / innovative lightweight internal duralumin / structure, the R34 won acclaim for twice / crossing the Atlantic. Also onboard was / the first airborne stowaway, William Bannatyne from Newcastle, plus his cat, Whoopsie. / Following several disastrous airship crashes / and the growth of aeroplane industry, / production of airships ended. A company making a range of rubber products occupied / the factories at Inchninnan from 1927 - 1981. / The India Rubber Company made vehicle / tyres etc., and undertook a major role during / World War II (1939-1945).

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