Zeppelin-Staaken L
Zeppelin-Staaken · German Empire · first flew 1917 · bomber
The Zeppelin-Staaken L was one of the enormous German Riesenflugzeug (R-plane) strategic bombers of World War I, designed to carry heavy bomb loads to targets in Britain and behind Allied lines. With a 42-metre wingspan, it ranked among the largest aircraft of the war.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 22.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German Riesenflugzeug (giant aircraft) heavy bomber
- Six-engine configuration — engine count capped at 4 for record; actual count was 6
- Among the largest aircraft of WWI with 42-metre wingspan
An enormous biplane with six engines arranged in tandem push-pull pairs between the wings, requiring a walkable interior for in-flight engine access — scale and complexity set it apart from all contemporary aircraft.
Specifications
- The Zeppelin-Staaken L has a length of 22.2 m (73 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 42.2 m (138 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 125 km/h (78 mph).
- Typical crew: 7-9.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Zeppelin-Staaken series of R-planes were the most capable strategic bombers of WWI, capable of reaching England from German-held Belgium. They flew night raids on London and other British cities, carrying bomb loads that would not be surpassed until World War II. The R-planes were extraordinarily complex for their era, requiring large crews and multiple engines to remain airworthy.
Variants
The Zeppelin-Staaken R series included the R.IV, R.V, R.VI (the main production type), and the experimental L; all shared the giant multi-engine biplane configuration.
Where you'll see it
Operated by the Imperial German Army Air Service's Riesenflugzeug units (Rfa) from 1916 to 1918 in raids on England and the Eastern and Western Fronts.
Related aircraft
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