Subdeacon Joe Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 https://flyingmachines.ru/Site2/Crafts/Craft25534.htm "Zeppelin-Staaken" R-VI. The first serial modification. 18 copies were built, of which only one was built by Zeppelin, 6 by Aviatik, 7 by Schütte-Lanz and 4 by Ostdeutsch Albatross Werk (OAW). R-VI is a four-engine airplane with Maybach Mb.IV engines of 245 hp. or "Mercedes" D.IVa 260 hp. in two tandems. The structure is mixed with a predominance of wood. The fuselage is covered with plywood, the engine nacelles are covered with duralumin, the wings and tail are covered with canvas. The aircraft is equipped with a radio station, electrically heated cabins and an internal intercom. Crew - 7 people (navigator-bombardier, also known as nose gunner, 2 pilots, radio operator, 2 mechanics located in the engine nacelles, tail gunner). Defensive weapons - from three to six Parabellum machine guns. The fuselage bomb bay accommodated 18 100 kg bombs, and the maximum bomb load exceeded 2 tons, a record for World War I aircraft. From June 1917 until the summer of the following year, Zeppelins, together with Goths, regularly bombed London, Dover, Folkestone and other cities in southeastern England. During all this time, the British air defense managed to shoot down only one four-engine bomber. In February, R-VI dropped a 1,000 kg bomb on a London suburb, the heaviest airborne munition used in the First World War. In the last months of the war, the German giants operated mainly over the territories of France and Belgium. FLIGHT PERFORMANCE Span, m 42.2 Length, m 22.5 Wing area, sq.m 334.0 Dry weight, kg 7680 Take-off weight, kg 11460 Maximum speed, km/h 130 Flight range, km 800 Climb time , min/m 43/3000 Ceiling, m 3800 J.Herris - Development of German Warplanes in WWI /Centennial Perspective/ (1) Staaken R.VI R27/16 was camouflaged in dark night colors for night bombing missions over the UK. Interestingly, the large engine nacelles were left in natural metal rather than being painted a dark color. The camouflage was apparently applied at the factory because the national insignia are white outlines applied over the camouflage. The R.VI was the main production R-plane, with 18 being built by Staaken and three other manufacturers. Most were powered by four 260 hp Mercedes D.IVa engines, but some used the 245 hp Maybach Mb.IVa. Most were armed with four machine guns, but some had two additional guns in gun positions on the upper wing; mechanics climbed ladders to reach these. Span was 42.2 meters (138.5 feet). 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subdeacon Joe Posted February 7 Author Share Posted February 7 The Zeppelin-Staaken was truly an awe-inspiring sight, a testament to the ambitious and innovative spirit of the age. It boasted a wingspan of around 42.2 meters (138 feet) and a length of 22.1 meters (72 feet), dwarfing many contemporary aircraft. https://planehistoria.com/zeppelin-staaken-r-vi/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpo Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 I wonder what the heck a parabellum machine gun is? Parabellum was the cable address for Georg Luger Gewehrfabrik. But somehow I cannot see a heavy bomber being armed with 9x19 mm machine guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel-eye Steve SASS #40674 Posted February 7 Share Posted February 7 47 minutes ago, Alpo said: I wonder what the heck a parabellum machine gun is? Parabellum was the cable address for Georg Luger Gewehrfabrik. But somehow I cannot see a heavy bomber being armed with 9x19 mm machine guns. https://www.forgottenweapons.com/parabellum-1914-17-germanys-ultimate-aircraft-maxim/ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted February 8 Share Posted February 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.