Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI

The giant Riesenflugzeug bombers were marvels of their time. The only model to reach series production was the Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI, with the production load spread to Staaken (4), Aviatik (6), Schütte-Lanz (5), and Albatros-O.A.W. (3). The first to be completed was R.25/15, probably during late 1916 before its delivery on 8 June 1917.

Two pilots shared flying responsibilities, aided by a radio operator and navigator directly to their rear. A mechanic sat between the wings and two gunners shared the aft position, with a ventral position in the floor for use as necessary. A nose gunner completed the crew. Starting in September 1917 they began bombing mission on both the U.K. and France with Risenflugzeugabteilung (Rfa) 500 and 501.

According to some, none of the R.VIs were lost due to enemy action. Others attribute two losses to enemy fire and seven or eight in crashes, and perhaps one to extreme flight maneuvers (R.52).

As production and refits proceeded, a central fin and rudder were added, balanced ailerons were added, and (on R.52-R.54) the stepped fuselage nose was abandoned, with the pilots sitting on top. On some aircraft provision was made for the engine mechanics to climb a ladder to a platform from which they could man top-wing rear-firing guns.

R.VIs made 52 raids on London, dropping 2772 bombs of 196 tonnes in total weight.

1:144 Scale

 * Ares: WGF304A Schoeller; WGF304B Schilling
 * Shapeways:
 * R.25/16: Columbia Aerodrome, Reduced Aircraft Factory, wow
 * R.30/16: Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * R.52/17: Reduced Aircraft Factory
 * Metal+Resin kit:

1:200 Scale

 * Shapeways: wow

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

 * Shapeways: R.25/16: Reduced Aircraft Factory; R.30/16: Reduced Aircraft Factory; R.52/17: Reduced Aircraft Factory

1:300 Scale

 * Metal kit: Heroics & Ros GWA312

1:600 Scale

 * Shapeways: R.25/16: Reduced Aircraft Factory; R.30/16: Reduced Aircraft Factory; R.52/17: Reduced Aircraft Factory

1:700 Scale

 * Shapeways: R.25/16: Reduced Aircraft Factory; R.30/16: Reduced Aircraft Factory; R.52/17: Reduced Aircraft Factory