Capazza, Louis Godart, Louis Julliott, Henri Kapferer, Henri La Vaulx (de) Compte Santo-Dumont, Albert Surcouf, Edward =ASTRA CLASS.= Astra Societe de Constructions Aeronautique, 13, Rue Couchot, and 121, Rue de Bellevue, Billancourt. This Society was founded by Surcouf for the production of ordinary balloons. The first dirigible work was building part of the old _Lebaudy_ in 1903, followed in 1906 by the _Ville de Paris_. The total number of dirigibles of this type completed by the end of 1912 stood at 14, one very large dirigible in hand for the French Army, and one small one for the British Navy, and another for the Russian Army. Owing to changes in names, or owing to two names getting supplied to one ship, confusion frequently exists as to the names of the Astra dirigibles. The correct list is as follows:-- 1. Part of the LEBAUDY 1903 2. VILLE DE PARIS 1906 3. VILLE DE BORDEAUX 1908 4. VILLE DE NANCY 1909 5. Russian Military dirigible, KOMMISSIONNY,} originally known as CLEMENT-BAYARD I} 1909 6. COLONEL RENARD 1909 7. ASTRA-TRANSAERIENNE-VILLE DE PAU-VILLE} DE LUCERNE[C] } 1909 8. ESPANA (Spanish Military) 1909 9. VILLE DE BRUXELLES 1910 10. LIEUT. CHAURE (French Military) 1911 11. ADJUTANT REAU (French Military) 1911 12. ECLAIREUR CONTE (French Military) 1912 13. TRANSAERIENNE II 1912 14. ASTRA-TORRES I 1911 The general features of the _Astra_ class are: Non-rigid, weights distributed by means of a long girder hung under the gas bags, a long nacelle, and inflated stabilising shapes at the rear end of the balloon. The _Astra-Torres_ type are also non-rigid, but of trefoil section with a short nacelle. The Compagnie Generale Transaerienne was first established in 1909 with _Transaerienne I_, and during the summers 1909, 1910 and 1911, this ship made a total of 273 ascents, carried 2590 passengers, and voyaged 7990 kilometres. The Astra firm has dirigible hangers at Issy, Pau, Meaux, and Reims. Its constructional capacity is sufficient to build six dirigibles at any one time. "ASTRA I-TRANSAERIEN-VILLE DE PAU-VILLE DE LUCERNE" (1909). [Illustration] ~Maximum length,~ 197 feet (60 m.) ~maximum diameter,~ 40 feet (12.20 m.) ~volume,~ 158,000 c. feet (4,475 m cubed.) ~Total lift.~--Just over 7 tons=15,763 lbs. (7,150 kgs.) ~Useful lift,~ lbs. ( kgs.) ~Gas bags.~--Continental rubbered fabric, yellow. ~Motor.~--One 90-100 C. Bayard. ~Speed.~--27 m.p.h. (43 k.p.h.) ~Propellers.~--One. [Illustration: SIDE ELEVATION] COLONEL RENARD. Military (1909). [Illustration]