Zappelin Destroyer

Media

Part of An Electric Ripper and Igniter for Destroying Zeppelins

Title (Dublin Core)

Zappelin Destroyer

extracted text (Extract Text)

TH E ELECTRICAL
EXPERI M ENTER
H. G ER N S B ACK

EDITDR

H. W. 5ECDR A55DCIIaTE EDITDR

Vol. IV.

Whole No. 46

FEBRUARY, 1917

Number

10

An Electric Ripper and Igniter for Destroying Zeppelins
English aeroplane aviators
are reported using a new and
fearful death-dealing device with
which to destroy Zeppelins, those
much dreaded monsters of the
air so favored by the Teutonic Allies.
The accompanying illustration is a portrayal of such an attack on a Zeppelin by
an enemy aeroplane fitted with this new
electrically operated contrivance.
The attacking battle -plane carries, besides
the aviator and radio operator, an operator'
TI-IE

r

OETAIL

OF

proper switches, which cause the hook to
rise or descend a sufficient amount to enable it to catch into the massive gas bag
constituting the Zeppelin. As soon as the
hook catches and begins to rip open the
gas bag the officer in the aeroplane throws
in the igniter switch which sends an electric
current instantaneously down the supporting cable attached to the ripper hook and
this current, passing thru an intensifying or
spark coil mounted on the hook, produces a
powerful spark several inches long between

In this particular case, wherein the electrical ripper and igniter described proved
successful, the English aviators had sufficient notice ahead of time, so that they
could rise to a sufficient height in order to
make a swooping attack on the dirigible.
The exploding device, resembling that
shown in the accompanying illustration was.
after several trials, drawn successfully
across the envelope, ripping it open, so that
the liberated gas could be fired by the spark.

ZEPPEL

[IGHT
CABLE AND
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MOTORCCNTROL

d

TO

.DYN

;

i

F

..J.

IGNITER

"

SPAIiN GAIL

CAS-

HEAVILY Mailing)WIRE

SPAN
5INSULFTION

The Allies' Military Experts Have Devised a New Thriller In the Drama of War. This Comprises an Electric Ripping and Igniting Device for Destroy.
ing Zeppelins, and Which Can Be Manipulated From a Battle -plane In the Manner Shown.
who has charge of the electrical mechanthe insulated prongs, which ignites the gas. Such an invention would seem practical if
ism by which the double -pronged ripping This spells the beginning of the end for
used by expert military aviators, as the
anchor is lowered or raised to any desired the air -cruiser. And it is said that one aeroplane can sail circles around the fastest
level, as the 'plane soars thru the air above
of the most powerful and mastodonic Zep- Zeppelin. Moreover, it is a record of actual
its prey.
pelin craft ever launched by the Austro- fact that once a Zeppelin is aflame there is
At the psychological moment the officer in German forces was recently dispatched practically not one chance in ten thousand
charge of the dependent ripper operates the earthward in England by this means.
of its recovering.