Sydney, 10 April 1912.

After more than a week of meticulous preparation and the approval of all the countries where the stops are located, the Australasian airship circumnavigation officially began.

The news that Australasia was going to make an airship voyage around the world soon became another sensation in Europe and even the world after the Balkan War.

Unfortunately, due to time constraints, the European media were not destined to arrive in Sydney before the airship departed.

But they also have another way, which is to stay at the stop before the airship arrives at the stop to get the first news about the airship.

Although it was only eight o'clock in the morning, Sydney was already full of people. This includes major Australasian newspapers and media, the curious Australasian masses, and Arthur and the Australasian government.

In order to make the government's reputation even more famous, the official sponsors of this round the world voyage are the Australasian government and the royal family, and all costs will be shared by the government and the royal family.

"Oh my gosh, can such a big guy really take to the skies? Going on a round-the-world cruise? ”

In the crowd of onlookers, some people looked at the behemoth-looking airship not far away and couldn't help but ask questions.

"Damn, do you still doubt that Your Majesty will lie to us? Even if he is an iron lump, His Majesty says that if he can fly into the sky, he can fly into the sky. The person next to him, who was obviously a companion, couldn't help but answer angrily after hearing his partner's question.

"Haven't you seen this guy flying in the sky? That's a behemoth, his shadow is much bigger than a building. There were also people who had seen airships soaring in the sky, and they couldn't help but explain at this time.

For Australasians, big news like a round-the-world voyage will naturally become a hot topic that everyone talks about.

What's more, such a hot spot is still promoted by Arthur and the government, which will naturally attract more Australasian onlookers and curiosity.

Airships are not too new to Australasian people, and it has been several years since the birth of Australasian airships, and it is not a secret level at all.

What made people feel a little surprised and suspicious was actually the size of the airship printed with the Australasian flag and royal insignia in front of them.

Compared with the previous airships, the airship in front of me was at least the size of several previous airships, and it looked more spectacular and massive.

"Your Majesty, everyone. This is the latest work of the Aviation Laboratory, an airship capable of carrying 40 tons and capable of reaching a maximum speed of 110 kilometers per hour, the AU-3! On the high platform where the open space was temporarily carried out, Theodor, the head of the aviation laboratory, was excitedly introducing Arthur and all government officials, the media, and the people below.

Teodor's voice was transmitted far and wide with the loudspeaker, so that almost everyone in the vicinity could hear it clearly.

"According to our conservative estimates, the AU-3 can take on board at least 105 people and be equipped with at least half a month's worth of living supplies. Even with a full load of 40 tons, the AU-3 can reach a speed of at least 70 kilometers per hour, which can greatly reduce the intercontinental communication time. ”

In addition to the royal family, the government, the media and the general public, Australasia's small and medium-sized capitalists were present to see the departure ceremony of the round of the world.

At present, Australasia does not have a relatively long history of aristocracy, and the only nobles are still Arthur's non-inheritable knighthoods.

"Director Teodor, how many people do you need to control such a big guy?" A government official asked with a little curiosity.

"Although the AU-3 airship is several times larger than before, the operating system is simpler than that of the previous airship. Counting all the operators, it only takes two shifts for a total of 32 operators to fly perfectly in the sky. If it is only a short flight, there is no need to worry about the fatigue of the controller, and only 16 operators are used. Director Theodor replied confidently.

The new airship has achieved ultra-long-distance sailing, and naturally there is a more serious problem to consider, that is, the fatigue level of the operator.

Although the airship can sail for several days or even half a month, the operator needs to change shifts for a maximum of ten hours to avoid accidents due to fatigue.

This also means that when an airship is on a long voyage, it must carry at least two shifts of operators before it can be changed.

When everyone heard this, they nodded as a matter of course. With such a huge big thing, only 16 people are needed to control the flight, and only 32 operators are needed in two shifts, which is completely reasonable and expected.

However, because it can only carry a maximum of 105 people, after deducting 32 operators and 15 waiters, the maximum passenger capacity is only 58.

It is worth mentioning that at the request of European and American countries, Australasia will not cover all of the 58 passenger capacity of this round-the-world airship, but will give 6 to the United States, 10 to Britain, 8 to Germany, 7 to Russia, and 5 to France, Austria, and Italy.

This also means that Australasia can only sell 12 airship tickets to the country, which is only about one-sixth of the total number of votes.

However, this does not affect the fact that the credit for this circumnavigation voyage was divided between Australasia alone, and the fact that countries are interested in airship tickets also means that they are interested in airships, so Arthur did not refuse.

Anyway, the price of airship tickets is relatively expensive at present, and the price of any ticket is as high as hundreds of pounds, and it is not something that ordinary people in Australasia can afford.

Arthur is still happy to see the European countries divide the airship tickets, once the round-the-world voyage is successful, it means that the airship is about to enter the commercialization.

As the first country to realize the circumnavigation of the airship, Australasia's airship will also bring a deep impression to countries and people all over the world.

The sale of airships, the sale of airship technology, etc., will bring a lot of profits to Australasia, and the value of these profits is far more important than these dozens of airship tickets.

"Ladies and gentlemen, at present, our aviation laboratory has realized the assembly line production of the AU-3 airship. If this round-the-world voyage is a complete success, we plan to support the establishment of airlines and look for airline partners around the world. At the end of the airship introduction, Director Theodor suddenly advertised the airship construction technology of the aviation laboratory and said with a smile.

If nothing else, such a statement will be played out at all stops, until this passage reaches the ears of the capitalists and aristocrats of the major countries of Europe and the United States.

In fact, Teodor's intention is clear from a thought, that is, to promote the market for airships and make a lot of profits for the aviation laboratory.

But if an airship achieves a round-the-world voyage, the value it brings is no less than that of a cruise ship.

In terms of the time spent, airships and cruise ships are not on the same level at all.

Even from Europe to the United States, it takes at least one to two weeks. If you travel from Europe to Australia or Asia, the time required will increase to more than a month.

Even a circumnavigation of the globe with the most advanced warships would take at least two to three months to complete.

But judging by the speed of the airship, it seems that it only takes a few days for an airship to travel from Europe to North America with only passengers.

Even if it is a long distance from Europe to Asia or Australia, it only takes ten days to half a month at most.

This means that if people choose an airship, the time saved will be calculated in weeks, which will greatly facilitate people's intercontinental voyages.

What's more, you can also see the scenery on the airship and enjoy the fun of flying.

But what about cruise ships? Aside from the bumps on the sea, is the endless sea considered a landscape?

Maybe it did at first, but looking at the endless sea for a long time will make people more bored and irritable.

"Your Majesty, the airship has been introduced, and I request to start preparing for the flight." After introducing the airship, Director Teodor saw that it was almost time, and respectfully asked Arthur for instructions.

"Well, it's time for the round-the-world voyage to begin, Director Theodor, and I'm here to wish you every success in advance!" Arthur smiled and nodded, approving Director Theodor's request.

Yes, Theodor, the director of the Aeronautical Research Laboratory, will be the person in charge of this round-the-world voyage, as well as the main pilot of this airship, to complete the mission of this circumnavigation of the world.

"Yes, Your Majesty, you will not be disappointed!" Director Teodor nodded solemnly, then looked at the airship.

At this time, after receiving the order, the airship maintenance workers and pilots hurriedly carried out the final overhaul and inspection of the airship to ensure that there would be no accidents before takeoff.

After completing these tasks, 12 Australasian people with airship tickets could not resist their excited gaze, and under the leadership of the waiter, they boarded the airship in a mighty way.

"Australasian AU-3 airship, codenamed Dawn, ready to take off!"

After all the materials and personnel boarded the airship, the Dawn airship slowly flew into the air in the eyes of all the media and people watching the scene, and then gradually turned into smaller and smaller white dots until it disappeared.

"The heyday of airships has begun." Arthur looked at the airship that was gradually moving away, and the deep meaning in his eyes became more and more intense.

Watching the behemoth in front of them gradually fly into the sky and then disappear, many Australasian people have also gained insight and refuse to leave, discussing enthusiastically with their friends around them.

Although I have heard of various deeds of airships before, I have heard that it is better to see them with my own eyes after all. After seeing such a behemoth as an airship soar into the sky, many Australasian people can't help but wonder how great it would be if they could take to the skies in such a huge airship and complete a spectacular circumnavigation of the world!

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(End of chapter)