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Aviation History
1914
1914 - 1075.PDF
OCTOBER 30, 1914. tfiJCHfj GERMANY'S AIRSHIPS. Continued from page 1057.) HAVING last week described briefly the four classes of airships in use by the German authorities, a short historical review dealing with each series may be given. It will show how, from year to year, the size as well as the number of airships turned out by each factory has increased. Incidentally this also gives an idea of the output in time of peace, from which it is possible to form an estimate of the probable number which might be constructed under stress as in the present emergency. In 10. The Army Airship Z. VI. view of prominence accorded to the doings of the Zeppelin type they will be dealt with first. It was in 1900 that Count Zeppelin completed his first dirigible, which had been constructed in a floating shed on the Lake Constance. The L.Z.i was 420 ft. long, and had a capacity of 400,000 cu. ft. After several trials of varying duration, during which alterations and improve ments suggested themselves, and were effected, this air ship was dismantled in the spring of the following year. A series of experiments was then commenced, the object of which was to provide data for the next dirigible to be built. This was completed in 1905, and although as regards dimensions it was identical with L.Z.i, it had incorporated in it numerous detail improvements. A number of trial trips were made, but after being in existence for a few months only L.Z.2 came to grief at Kislegg, where it was so badly damaged in landing that repairs were out of the question. Nothing daunted, Count Zeppelin commenced the construction of a third 13. The Army Airship Z. IV. airship, the L.Z.3, which was, as far as dimensions are concerned, a sister ship to the two previous ones. This was purchased by the Prussian War Office, and given the official Army number Z. I. During a number of cruises carried out in 1906 valuable experience was gained, which led to dismantling and reconstruction in the following year. Apart from detail innovations the chief alteration effected was the lengthening of the hull by some 25 feet. As soon as the work of reconstructing Z. I was com pleted a new ship was put in hand. This, which carried the shop number L.Z.4, was considerably larger than any of the previous ones, being 446 ft. long, and having a cubic capacity of 532,000 cu. ft. A series of trials were 14. The Arrrn ship Z. HI. 12. The Army Airship Z. I. carried out, but misfortune also overtook this dirigible, which was wrecked near Echterdingen on August 5th, 1908, before it had been taken over by the Government. A sister ship was constructed, and made its appearance 1075
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