On this day 13 July 1919

R.34  was the last rigid airship to be used before airships were abandoned by the Admiralty. Built by Beardmores, it was launched in March 1919.

02 July 1919 R.34 made the first east-west airship crossing of the Atlantic, flying from East Fortune, Scotland to Long Island USA, arriving 06 July.  The journey of  3,130 miles was made in 108hrs 12 min. The return flight, 10-13 July, helped by favourable winds, occupied only 75 hrs 3min and landed at Pulham in Norfolk. This was the first return crossing of the Atlantic by aircraft of any kind.