Zeppelin-Staaken L
Zeppelin-Staaken · German Empire · first flew 1917 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Zeppelin-Staaken L was an enormous experimental German Riesenflugzeug (R-plane) floatplane of World War I, designed for long-range maritime patrol over the North Sea. 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 | Twin fin |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- WWI German Riesenflugzeug (giant aircraft) maritime patrol floatplane
- Four-engine configuration
- Among the largest aircraft of WWI with 42-metre wingspan
An enormous biplane with four 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 L was a derivative of the R-plane series, built to take over North Sea reconnaissance from vulnerable Zeppelins. It was designed to stay airborne for 10 to 12 hours and to hold altitude on two engines alone. 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
Only one prototype was built; it crashed at Warnemünde in June 1918.
Related aircraft
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