At work on an airship for 21st C.

FORWARD to the Past was the title of Stephen Starkey's talk/slide show to The Huddersfield Group (IAM); Stephen works for BAE Systems, military air solutions of Warton, Preston as a project manager.

His first slide was of the Hindenburg R101 airship in flames, as this was to lead to his new project - a new style airship!

Mr Starkey revealed that 'rules of the sky' say that most other craft have to give way to airships. His remit was that his new airship had to be radio controlled and model aircraft engines - 2 x 17hp - had to control an airship 23m long and 8m deep using helium as fuel.

Airships would have to be deployed within three-to-four hours, fit in a seven-ton truck, carry a payload of 150kg at 2,500m and have maximum speed of 55knots for a flight of 16 hours duration thanks to its 100gals tank.

All tests carried out so far have proved to be much better than required. The craft from design review to first flight took 12 weeks and work took place inside an old shipyard building in Liverpool.

The next meeting is Monday July 6 at The Royal British Legion Club, Scar Lane, Golcar (7.30pm) when Viv Teasdale will speak on the RSPCA.