In July 1921 A. H. Ashbolt , the Agent-General for Tasmania , proposed the creation of an Imperial Airship Company to the Imperial Conference being held in London . The use of heavier-than-air craft over such distances was seen as impractical at this time . This was to be partly financed by the countries of the Empire , with some funding from private sources and the rest provided by the British government . A sub-committee chaired by Frederick Guest , the Secretary of State for Air , was established to investigate the idea . Although this reported favourably , no firm decision was reached since the members considered that further consultation with the various governments of the nations of the Empire was needed , and eventually none excepting Australia thought that they could afford the investment . " In 1922 Vickers - which had been involved in British airship construction since His Majesty 's Airship No. 1 in 1911 - proposed a scheme for the development of large commercial airship to provide a passenger service to link the countries of the British Empire . Named the " Burney scheme " after its creator Dennistoun Burney , it involved the construction of six airships at an estimated cost of £ 4 million to be constructed and operated by Vickers . £ 1.2 million would be raised by the issue of shares paying 6 % per annum , and a further £ 2.2 million was to be raised by the issue of debentures . Both would be guaranteed by the British government and by India and Australia , the total public liability being estimated at £ 119,000 per annum
Imperial Conference
1921 Imperial Conference
Imperial Airship Scheme