10 March 1903, New South Wales Industrial Area.

After more than five months, Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr finally succeeded in replicating the Lz-1 rigid airship built by Count Zeppelin, and improved on some of the more obvious shortcomings.

Because Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr were both Count Zeppelin's right-hand men in the construction of the airship, the imitation airship inherited almost perfectly all the advantages of the Zeppelin LZ-1.

And because of Australia's deep pockets, the two of them also improved some problems that although Count Zeppelin knew about it, it could not be improved due to lack of funds, which gave birth to this imitation version of the airship, AU-1.

As soon as the airship was born, Arthur came to the aviation laboratory located on the outskirts of Sydney, not only to observe the pioneer of the exploration of the era of the hard airship, but also to release information to the outside world, the purpose of the Australian aviation laboratory is to develop the airship.

Because it is a complete imitation of the LZ-1 rigid airship, the AU-1 is basically not much different from the LZ-1 in terms of shape and performance.

The AU-1 airship is 128 meters long, 11.7 meters in diameter, and has a total hydrogen energy volume of about 11,300 cubic meters.

What is even more terrifying is that the load capacity of this airship has reached nearly ten tons, a figure that no other means of transportation can compare with other than trains and transport ships carrying multiple carriages.

But whether it's a train or a transport ship, there are a number of huge limitations. Trains have to run on railroad tracks, and train stations and other facilities have to be built, which is very expensive and time-consuming.

Although the transport ship only needs to sail in the ocean, it can only do the transportation between ports.

And because of the lack of power, sea transportation is the longest and most inconvenient.

If the AU-1 airship is commercially available with some improvements, it will be a powerful tool for transporting supplies in the sky.

At least for a short time, he was able to give a lot of impetus to Australia's development, and he was able to draw the attention of the rest of the world to airships rather than developing airplanes.

For Arthur, the development of airships is important, but it is far less important than airplanes.

The larger role of airships was to provide another mode of transporting supplies and a faster and more convenient way of transportation before the advent of airplanes.

If nothing happens, airships are destined to be obsolete by airplanes, which is why Arthur specifically instructed Teodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr to focus on the development of airplanes.

The airship test required a very open environment, so Teodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr deliberately chose an open field next to the aviation laboratory for this experiment.

Airships don't have to have a flat, narrow take-off runway like airplanes. The fundamental reason for the need for an open space is simply to prevent accidents.

Arthur wanted to experience the airship technology of this era for himself, but he gave up under the joint persuasion of Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr.

In fact, what they said is also true, although the last time Count Zeppelin was tested was a very great success, who can guarantee that Count Zeppelin's third test flight will not fail?

After all, landing in the sky is still a thrilling adventure for the current human race, and the slightest carelessness may leave no bones.

Neither Arthur's bodyguards nor Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr dared to let Arthur board the airship, and in the event of an accident, it was a responsibility that no one dared to bear.

Arthur's idea was quickly dispelled, and he was even shocked into a cold sweat.

Even airships and airplanes that will be perfected in the future will have accidents, not to mention airships and airplanes that are still in the development stage.

If Arthur had any accident after boarding the airship, wouldn't he be the most unlucky traverser?

Thus, the whole experiment became Arthur watching through a telescope from a distance, and Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr piloted the airship themselves.

The test flight was destined for the coast of Sydney, almost forty kilometers away.

The AU-1 airship will carry more than a ton of stuff from the vicinity of the aviation laboratory to its destination, and then transport back the steel and wood and other materials needed by the aviation laboratory.

This experiment will carry at least one ton of materials back and forth, which also greatly increases the danger of this experiment, in the event of an accident, all the materials and people may be wiped out.

This flight test was a little shorter than the last Count Zeppelin's LZ-1 airship test, but the actual gap was not too big.

After some preparations, the two professors, Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr, took a long breath and boarded the parked airship.

He will be accompanied by several assistants from the aviation laboratory, who will help Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr to operate the airship better.

After obtaining Arthur's permission, the AU-1 gradually took off, and after the sky slowly stabilized, it turned around and flew towards the coast.

Although it was only the first version of the rigid airship, the LZ-1 still reached a speed of more than 30 kilometers per hour.

As an improved version three years later, the AU-1 sailed slightly faster than the LZ-1, basically maintaining a speed of more than 35 kilometers per hour.

Although this speed was as slow as a turtle compared to later airplanes, in the early 20th century, when trains were only 50 or 60 kilometers per hour, such airships were already very fast.

Because the destination is more than forty kilometers away from the aviation laboratory, plus the time required to load and unload the supplies, it will take at least five or six hours.

It was still noon when the airship left the aviation laboratory, and by the time it came back slowly, it was already afternoon.

Compared with the normal navigation of an airship, take-off and landing are actually the most dangerous.

Especially when landing, a slight mistake can lead to a major accident, even if the safety of the airship has been greatly improved, such as a hard airship.

Teodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr were cautious, and the entire landing lasted half an hour.

With the sound of the airship next to the ground, Teodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your Highness, the first AU-1 hard airship range test was a complete success! We carried one ton and one and five tons of supplies, and the distance we covered was about 80 kilometers, and the total voyage took six hours and seven minutes. As soon as they stepped off the airship, Theodor Kerber and Ludwig Durr couldn't wait to say to Arthur.

"The actual time for the airship to sail is only a little over two hours, and our airship can maintain a constant speed of about 35 kilometers, and the sky is also stable, and there are no major bumps." Teodor Kerber said with a smile.

"Check it out to see if there is any damage to the exterior and interior of the airship, and record the complete data of this experiment." Arthur commanded.

Judging by the current experiment, the tests of the AU-1 airship are still successful. Despite the success of Count Zeppelin three years ago, Teodor Kerber and Ludwig Dürr also contributed to it.

"When you're done with this, I'll hold a small celebration for you in the evening. At the same time, tell all the personnel of the Aviation Research Institute that I am satisfied with the results of the tests of this airship, and all of them will receive a reward of five hundred pounds. Especially you, Professor Theodor Kerber, Professor Ludwig Dürr. You have contributed to the imitation of the airship, and each of you will receive a royal reward of two thousand pounds. Arthur said with a smile.

Two thousand five hundred word chapters, ask for support!

(End of chapter)