Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV

Last updated
Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV
Role Bomber
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Schütte-Lanz
Designer Graf von Zeppelin
First flight25 July 1918
Primary user Luftstreitkräfte
Developed from Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV

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.

Contents

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. [1]

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. [2] Additional power was provided by a fifth engine mounted in the nose of the aircraft. [1]

Operational history

At least two of the R.XVs built saw action on the Western Front, late in 1918. [1]

Operators

Specifications (Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV)

Data from The German Giants [1]

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Haddow, G.W.; PeterM Grosz (1988). The German Giants, The Story of the R-planes 1914-1919 (3rd ed.). London: Putnam. ISBN   0-85177-812-7.
  2. "Zeppelin-Staaken Is this an R XV" . Retrieved September 27, 2010.

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