Airship Over Atherton

by Christopher Cummings

  Tuesday was the day Willy saw Barbara in Cressly’s car and he was so depressed that the idea of suicide floated at the back of his conscious thoughts. It was a miserable day for him.

  That night he began to assemble the frame of the model zeppelin. He braced three frames upright the correct distance apart using book-ends and heavy books to hold them, carefully checking their alignment with a set-square. After double checking the spacing he put a dab of glue in the first notch in each frame. Into this he gently eased one of the stringers. Ruler and set-square came into play again to ensure everything was correctly aligned as the glue dried. Then the second stringer was carefully positioned on the opposite side of the model.

  After that was dried in place Willy glued on the stringer on top, at the 90 degree position to the first two. When these three were firmly in position Willy added the other 13 stringers to the top half of the frame. While the glue set he took a half hour break. Milo and cake provided a good supper, then he returned to the workshop. The braces were removed and the framework rolled over so the bottom stringers could be put in place. Five were left out along the bottom to leave access for the balloons.

  The centre section of the model was then complete. Already it looked quite impressive and this gave Willy the urge to press ahead and finish the model. ‘I must get a move on anyway,’ he told himself. ‘It is only a week and a half to the school fete.’

  He glued in a couple of diagonals, plus some stiffeners to the bottom stringers where the gondolas would be mounted, then went upstairs feeling well satisfied.

  Wednesday was an unhappy repeat of the previous few days. Willy stayed dejected and sat alone in the library and in the afternoon he completed the framework of the model. This involved gluing stringers to the rear of the completed centre section, then carefully bending each one and settling it into the notches on the progressively smaller frames. This brought all the ends together at the stern. These had to be carefully trimmed with a razor so that they fitted flush.

  As each new stringer was positioned the alignment of the whole frame had to be constantly checked to ensure that the structure did not warp out of true. An early experiment on a much smaller scale had done this, the result being a distinct banana shape. As each stringer was put on the ends were held in place by rubber bands until the glue was dry.

  Stiffeners were added where the control fins and motors were to be attached. When the whole structure was complete Willy sat and admired it for quite a while. The sight of it gave him a sense of solid achievement.

  On Thursday afternoon Willy painted the completed framework of his model with clear lacquer. Before he did this he spread old newspapers on the table and placed the framework on them, then proceeded to paint the balsa. The lacquer was both to strengthen and to waterproof the wood; important so that it could not absorb moisture from the humid air. This might cause it to warp out of alignment.

  Seeing the framework complete now made the whole project seem achievable so Willy spent Thursday evening watching TV or playing computer games (‘Stormovik’- flying a Russian tank busting fighter in World War 2). That at least allowed him to get a bit of the tension out of his system by releasing some pent up frustration. But it also made him think hard about his ambition to be a fighter pilot. ‘Fighters are also used for close air support of troops and for other ground attack tasks,’ he thought. But could he do that? It meant deliberately attempting to kill people. ‘And should I?’ he worried.

  The only thing of interest that took Willy’s attention on Friday was overhearing Andrew Collins saying to Stephen that a group of navy cadets was going to hike over the mountains as preparation training for their Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions. Trying for a D of E Award was something that Willy had toyed with but so far he had not found others to join him. ‘I might do that,’ he considered.

  Graham Kirk was there and asked, “Are you going where we suggested?”

  Andrew nodded. “Yes, up Davies Creek Forestry Road and then over Mt Tiptree to Mt Edith and then down to Lake Tinaroo.”

  “That will test you out,” Graham said with a grin. He then described how he had once walked across Mt Tiptree along old overgrown timber roads. Then he mentioned how the current objective of the ‘Hiking Team’ was to climb Lambs Head. “We tried going in from Hambeldon up over the Isley Range two weeks ago but it was too tough even for us. We are going in from the Davies Creek side next time, but not up the tourist walking track. That is too easy,” he explained.

  That night at Air Cadets Willy’s envy was partly eased when Flt Lt Comstock addressed the flight and asked for volunteers for an activity during the holidays in June. “It is to help provide the enemy for some army cadets from Townsville who are conducting an activity they call their ‘Senior Field Exercise’. It is in the first week of the holidays so it does not clash with our GST camp in the second week. So who is interested?”

  Willy at once put his hand up. ‘I won’t have anything else to do during the holidays,’ he thought.

  They were reminded of the up-coming weekend bivouac in June to prepare the unit for the GST camp. “We will have army and navy cadets in the area for that weekend,” Flt Lt Comstock added. Willy liked the sound of that and his spirits picked up. It was at least something to look forward to.

  The weekend was quiet but very busy. Saturday was all chores, homework and work on his model.

  On the Sunday Willy spent six hours cutting pieces of tissue paper which he then very carefully glued to the outside of the balsa frame of the zeppelin. He worked alternately from both sides and from both ends to try to prevent the drying glue distorting the shape. By bedtime the task was complete and the model really looked like a Zeppelin.

  On Monday Willy glued on the tail fins and painted the whole outer cover with light grey model paint. To do this he used an ‘airbrush’ to keep the layer thin and even. During the painting he inhaled a lot of fumes; knew it was harmful; and didn’t care.

  Tuesday afternoon he constructed the gondolas from balsa, cardboard, clear plastic (for the windows) and thin fuse wire. Mountings were constructed for the port and starboard motors. All of these were assembled and painted by Wednesday afternoon. By then awareness of the fete was gripping Willy like a physical affliction. With only a day and a half left to finish he worked till an hour past his normal bedtime. By then he had attached the motors, propellers, gondolas and control surfaces.

  To do this the model was rested on a frame to hold it. The last thing Willy did before going to bed was to test the motors. Each electric motor was turned on to check how it ran. While doing this Willy held the model steady. Satisfied the motors were all functioning smoothly and were firmly attached he started all four at once. They whirred strongly and the model came alive under his hands. Tired but happy Willy slept well.

  Next morning he was up early to add the finishing touches. The name L59 was painted carefully on each side of the bow by delicate brush strokes. A black and white ‘Teutonic’ cross was added to each side. A crew of HO scale plastic men, painted in the correct colours, were glued in place. Tiny wire and balsa ‘Machine Guns’ were fastened on, and fine thread attached to the control surfaces. The model was then complete.

  As on the previous occasion his mother drove him to school while he nursed the model. By arrangement Stick and Stephen met him at the front entrance and helped him out of the vehicle. Marjorie arrived and was told to collect the cardboard carton of balloons and assorted items. She also picked up his school bag and stayed to talk to his mother for a minute. That made Willy feel quite uncomfortable. He took a firm grip on the tail section and told the others to start walking.

  Quite a crowd gathered as they made their way into the school. Willy braced himself in anticipation of sneers and jeers but was pleasantly surprised. Most students seemed to be genuinely admiring and interested. There were a few smart comments along the lines of: “Who’s got a match?” but that was all.

  Willy’s chief concern was that the Year 8s would
bump into the model as they pushed and jostled each other. To have the model broken now would be more than he could endure!

  They carried the model zeppelin up to the science lab where Mr Feldt met them. It was safely placed in the storeroom. For a few minutes they admired it. Willy didn’t know how to respond when Marjorie turned to him and said:

  “Willy, it is wonderful! You are so clever!”

  He mumbled embarrassed thanks. Stephen was even more enthusiastic, which hurt and confused Willy more.

  “Willy it’s fabulous. It is even better than the first one. It looks just like the real thing.”

  Willy nodded and said thanks. Mr Feldt arranged to inflate the balloons with gas at 1pm and ushered them out so he could lock up. Outside they talked about the model and zeppelins until the bell went.

  It wasn’t much of a school day. The morning lessons were continually interrupted by noises from outside and by groups of students and teachers passing by. Setting up for the annual fete had begun in earnest and after morning break the whole school was stood down to help.

  Willy and Stick were part of a work party under Miss Hackenmeyer’s supervision, sweeping out the Assembly Hall and setting it up for the school dance and ‘Disco’. The work kept them busy till lunch time but for Willy it was an unhappy time as it concentrated his thoughts on the dance, and on what might have been.

  After a quick lunch Willy and his friends set off for the science lab. On the way, as they passed under ‘C’ Block he caught sight of Barbara. She was sitting with her friends. As Willy passed she looked up, met his eyes- and smiled. Willy nearly stopped in surprise. He returned the smile and walked on, remembering vividly that other Friday when he had ‘gassed up’ his first model zeppelin.

  At the lab quite a group had gathered including Stephen, Roger, Stick, Noddy, Peter, Graham; and of course Marjorie. Mr Feldt arrived and took charge. This time he only allowed two assistants.

  “Too many people last time,” he said. Willy had to choose. He met Stephen’s eager eye but Stephen was standing touching Marjorie. So Willy chose Stick and Peter. The others were all ordered out onto the veranda.

  Willy and Stick then moved the model from the storeroom to the first bench, Willy wincing at the noises of tissue paper crinkling as the structure came under stress. Peter helped Mr Feldt move a steel bottle of Hydrogen into position. All the tools and parts were laid out on the bench and checked. When he was satisfied everything was ready Willy inserted the half-filled balloons one at a time. Peter held the model steady by the nose. As he worked Willy was aware of Stephen and Marjorie watching from the doorway so he turned his back on them and tried to ignore their presence.

  The ‘gassing up’ then commenced, Willy at the balloons and Stick operating the control valve. It took about twenty minutes to fill the 12 balloons.

  “Shouldn’t she be lifting off now?” Stick asked as Willy signalled to stop filling the last balloon.

  “Yes, she should be,” Willy replied. “This is the point at which she lifted off last time.” He frowned and made a rapid calculation.

  “What’s wrong?” Peter asked.

  “Probably this model is a fraction heavier,” Willy replied. “I added a few more braces; and it’s got little details like the people which the first one did not have.”

  Mr Feldt nodded. “Yes. Also we don’t know how much the atmosphere is different today. Remember it was a month ago and it was hotter then. It is mid-winter now and much cooler; and there is less humidity.”

  “What can we do?” Stick asked.

  “We can probably get a bit more gas into each of the balloons,” Willy answered.

  Mr Feldt sucked his teeth. “We might bust one.”

  “We will be careful sir. It’s worth a try. Failing that I will have to cut open the stern and bow sections and push balloons in there. They should help if we can inflate them enough to overcome their own weight,” Willy replied. He was determined not to fail- particularly with Stephen and Marjorie watching. He reconnected the plastic hose to the first balloon and signalled to Stick.

  Stick looked doubtful. “What if it bursts?”

  “Then we will replace it. I’ve got spares.”

  “Won’t it explode and smash the model?”

  “I doubt it. It might blow a hole in the tissue paper and I can easily repair that. Go on. I’ll tell you when to stop,” Willy insisted. He placed his ear beside the balloon and felt it with his fingertips.

  Still shaking his head Stick slowly eased the tap open. Willy found he was breathing very fast and his chest felt tight. The balloon went hard under his fingers. He signalled stop, disconnected the hose and moved it to the next balloon. The process was repeated.

  “She moved then!” Peter cried.

  “No. Just me pushing,” Willy answered.

  Two more balloons were inflated until they were so hard he could drum his fingers on their skins. Still the airship did not rise. On the fifth balloon there was some ominous creaking and then a sharp ‘snap’ inside.

  Stick stopped the gas. “What was that?”

  “One of the diagonal braces snapping I think. Keep filling,” Willy insisted. He now felt very tense and had begun to sweat. He was acutely conscious that there was a considerable audience on the veranda; and that, by now, the whole school must know of the attempt. ‘Fly zeppelin, fly!’ he willed. But the model remained obstinately inert.

  Two more balloons were inflated to their maximum capacity. Stick stopped and straightened up. “I don’t think she is going to fly. You will have to take off some weight,” he said.

  “But what?” Willy asked. He stood up and wracked his brains for a solution.

  “What is the heaviest thing in the model?” Peter asked.

  “The batteries in the motors I’d say,” Willy replied.

  “Then take them out.”

  “But then she won’t fly along,” Willy objected. Instead he considered removing the tiny people and other fine details.

  “Does it matter if she doesn’t fly at all?” Peter asked. “She can still go in the model competition.”

  Willy stubbornly resisted this idea. His pride was at stake. “It does matter, to me. Let us fill all the balloons first.”

  So they did, but with no result. The gas was turned off and Willy studied the frames, considering how he might insert another balloon without wrecking the structure. He felt very disappointed. Reluctantly he fingered the port motor then said, “OK Stick, take the battery out of the starboard motor.”

  As Stick did a disappointed and worried Willy clicked open the port motor and removed the ‘AAA’ size battery.

  “That’s it!” Roger cried.

  Yes! The model had lifted off and was floating about ten centimetres above the bench top. Willy’s spirits soared. It wasn’t a failure.

  “Let go Peter, but keep hold of that mooring line,” Willy instructed. Peter did so and the model rose half a metre, but unevenly as the tail sank to rest on the bench. Willy took a tiny lead sinker from the forward gondola and hooked it to the nose. The airship settled to an almost even keel.

  “Still a bit up at the front,” Stick said.

  “She will do,” Willy answered. “A nose-up attitude should help her climb by aerodynamic effect. Peter, unroll the fishing line and walk to the door,” Willy instructed.

  “Wait!” Mr Feldt called. “Photo time. You three stand closer to the model.” He produced a camera from his brief case and proceeded to take several shots. “OK, take her out.”

  Willy took a firm hold of the tail while Peter unrolled the mooring line. When he reached the door Willy gave the model a gentle shove. The zeppelin floated gracefully forward off the bench and drifted slowly across the room to Peter. Willy let out a cry of triumph. The watching students cheered.

  CHAPTER 15

  THE FETE

  Willy was ecstatic. He wanted to take the model outside and do a test flight. Mr Feldt vetoed this.

  “No. Wrong time. There are people mi
lling all over the place down there, setting up stalls and moving furniture. We will put the model back in the storeroom and you can help me set up the science display please.”

  So Willy and Roger carefully manoeuvred the crinkling paper giant back through the door of the storeroom. The model was then tethered and gently wedged above the storage lockers. Willy’s impulse was to rush outside and tell everyone (Barbara!) but he made himself calm down and he stayed to help Mr Feldt.

  The fete was a major event in the school calendar. Its main purpose was to raise money for the school but it was also a good time for the school to show itself off to the parents and community. It was also an excellent opportunity for students to be given responsible tasks and leadership roles. The fete ran for two nights. Friday night was a practice run. The event really got under way on Saturday afternoon and the main activities were on Saturday night, culminating in the school dance. That dance now figured strongly in Willy’s plans.

  Virtually the whole school was roped in to taking some part. There were the usual stalls with knock-em-downs, darts, archery, mini-golf, roundabouts and rides for the small children, ‘Fishing’, ‘Dunking’ of teachers and ‘slave auctions’. As well numerous food and drink stalls were set up: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, hot chips, a coffee shop, ice cream and soft drink stalls; plus the usual chocolate wheels and raffles. There were also several big displays. One was a large HO scale model railway which Peter, Graham, and Roger helped set up; an Art and craft displays; and the model display.

  The zeppelin was to be entered in this. Willy had a sneak preview and saw that Stephen had entered a model aircraft. It was a balsa and tissue ‘Bristol Fighter’ biplane, painted black and silver. It reminded him of the model aircraft competition of the previous year which had got them into so much trouble. It also excited Willy’s envy and set him worrying. There were some superb examples of craftsmanship on display.