British airship C17

[Regulus]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me more about this airship that was downed by Oberflugmeister Karl Meyer of Seeflugstation Flandern I on the 21st of april 1917 ?
Am looking for length, volume, constructionplace and -date, personnel,...
Thanks !

VBR from Regulus

C.17 was a 'Coastal' Class airship.

LOA - 196 Feet
Capacity - 170,000 cu ft
Power - 1 x 150 HP Sunbeam Tractor, 1 x 220 HP Renault Pusher
Armament 2 x MG (one on the top of the envelope), 4 x 112 lb bombs or 2 x 230 lb bombs or depth charges

C.17 was built at Kingsnorth. Trials 10 Aug 1916, captained by Flt Lt Wheelwright. To Pulham from Kingsnorth 31 Aug 1916.

On 21 April 1917 proceeded on patrol, but no contact made with base after 08:00. Captain was Sub Lt E G O Jackson, Observer Assistant Paymaster R A P Walters. Deleted Pulham 21 April 1917, destroyed by fire. It was assumed C.17 was shot down by German seaplanes. There were no survivors.

Walters had only gone on C.17 as a passenger for some air experience.

Up until the loss of C.17 the upper Lewis gun was not usually carried. As a result of the loss instructions were issued that the upper gun was to be manned whenever 'Coastals' were operated out of Pulham over the North Sea.

Source for the above 'Battle Bags' by Ces Mowthorpe, Wrens Park Publishing 1998.

[leo]

In the case of British and german airships, how effective could a gun in the top of the ship be effective. They often vented gas and gas would leak after the envelope or internal gas bags were pierced. I would think that would constitute a real hazard.

[Regulus]

Hi Gordon,

Thank you very much for that ! Am trying to get both sides of the story on a number of things. And more specific info lik this on this kind of airship is very welcome !

Leo,

A good question indeed. Am curious about that to.

VBR from Regulus