Flying Ballast

Before crossing the mountains of Arizona on her recent return from the Pacific Coast, U. S. S. Akron released two airplanes from her belly, cut 6,000 lb. from her load (TIME, June 27). Last week Rear Admiral William Adger Moffett revealed how the Akron is reversing that practice. When atmospheric conditions make it impossible for the ship to land without valving out part of her costly helium, her commander flashes a radio call for two combat planes. The planes fly out from Lakehurst, hook on to the Akron. The 6,000 lb. added ballast permits the ship to land without loss of gas.

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