- Source: Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV
The Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV was an Imperial German bomber of World War I. An incremental improvement to the Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI, this was one of a series of large strategic bombers called Riesenflugzeuge, intended to be less vulnerable than dirigibles in use at the time.
Development
Almost identical to the R.XIV, the R.XV had a lighter airframe and more refined aerodynamics, in an effort to improve performance. Three aircraft were ordered, (R.46 to R.48), all three being completed by 1 September 1918.
As with most Zeppelin Riesenflugzeuge, the R.XV had two engine pods with four engines in a push-pull configuration, large enough for some inflight maintenance. Additional power was provided by a fifth engine mounted in the nose of the aircraft.
Operational history
At least two of the R.XVs built saw action on the Western Front, late in 1918.
Operators
German Empire
Specifications (Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV)
Data from The German GiantsGeneral characteristics
Crew: seven
Length: 22.5 m (73 ft 10 in)
Wingspan: 42.2 m (138 ft 5 in)
Height: 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in)
Wing area: 334 m2 (3,600 sq ft)
Empty weight: 7,921 kg (17,463 lb)
Gross weight: 14,450 kg (31,857 lb)
Powerplant: 5 × Maybach Mb.IVa 6-cyl. water-cooled in-line piston engines, 183 kW (245 hp) each
Performance
Cruise speed: 130 km/h (81 mph, 70 kn)
Range: 800 km (500 mi, 430 nmi)
Armament
Notes
References
A. K. Rohrbach, “Das 1000-PS Verkehrsflugzeug der Zeppelin-Werke, Staaken,” Zeitschrift für Flugtechnik und Motorluftschiffahrt, vol. 12, no. 1 (15 January 1921);
E. Offermann, W. G. Noack, and A. R. Weyl, Riesenflugzeuge, in: Handbuch der Flugzeugkunde (Richard Carl Schmidt & Co., 1927).
The German Giants by G.W. Haddow and Peter M. Grosz.
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Luftschiffbau Zeppelin
- Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV
- Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI
- Zeppelin-Staaken Riesenflugzeuge
- Zeppelin-Staaken
- Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV
- Zeppelin-Staaken R.V
- Zeppelin-Staaken R.XVI
- Zeppelin-Staaken R.VII
- List of aircraft (Z)
- Zeppelin-Staaken E-4/20
