Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI

From Wings of Linen
Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI
Role Bomber
Manufacturer Zeppelin-Staaken
Introduction Sept 1917
Primary user Germany
Number built 18 [1][2]
Wingspan 42.1 m (138 ft 3 in) [3] - 42.2 m (138 ft)[4][5][6]
Engine 4×245hp Maybach Mb.IV or
4×260hp Mercedes D.IVa
Armament 4×Parabellum in nose, dorsal, and ventral positions
1,000–2,000 kg (2,200–4,400 lb)[7] of bombs [note 1]
Crew 7-9 [note 2]
Max Speed see chart
Climb see chart
Ceiling see chart
Endurance see chart

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).[8] The first to be completed was R.25/15, probably during late 1916 before its delivery on 8 June 1917.[7]

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.[1] Others attribute two losses to enemy fire[7][note 3] and seven or eight in crashes, [9][8][7] and perhaps one to extreme flight maneuvers (R.52).[7]

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.[2]


EngineSpeedClimbCeilingEndurance
4×260hp Mercedes D.IVa 130 km/h (81 mph)[10][4][5][7] 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 11:00[7]
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 27:00[7]
3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 55:00[5][7]
3,800 m (12,500 ft) in 150:00[7]		 3,800 m (12,500 ft)[10][4][5][7] 7:00-8:00[4][7]
4×245hp Maybach Mb.IVa 135 km/h (84 mph)[11][5][7][6] 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 10:00[3][7]
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 23:00[3][7]
3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 43:00[11][3][5][7][6]
4,320 m (14,200 ft) in 146:00[7]		 4,320 m (14,200 ft)[7][6] 7:00[6]-8:00[4][7] [note 4]
4×260hp Mercedes D.IVa
+ 1 120hp Mercedes D.II supercharger
(R.30/16)		 160 km/h (99 mph)[7] 1,000 m (3,280 ft) in 10:00[7]
2,000 m (6,560 ft) in 24:00[7]
3,000 m (9,840 ft) in 35:00[7]
5,900 m (19,400 ft) in 102:00[7]		 5,900 m (19,400 ft)[5][7] to
6,000 m (19,700 ft).[2] to
7,420 m (24,300 ft)[5]

For more information, see Wikipedia:Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI.

Timeline

Game Data

Wings of Glory

Official Stats
Version Availability Maneuver Damage Dmg Points Max Alt. Climb Points
five-gun Sep17-end XA B/B/B/B/B 34 10 [note 5] 8 239
three-gun XA B/B/B 34 10 [note 5] 8

Miniatures and Models

1:144 Scale

1:200 Scale

1:285/6mm/1:288 Scale

1:300 Scale

1:500 Scale

1:600 Scale

1:700 Scale

Resources

Orthographic Drawings

  • R.25/16

    R.25/16

  • R.30/16

    R.30/16

  • R.52/17

    R.52/17

References

Notes
  1. ↑ Bomb load was lighter for longer-range missions.[7]
  2. ↑ Two pilots, a commander/navigator, a wireless operator, two flight mechanic/gunners, a fuel attendant, and sometimes two extra gunners.[7]
  3. ↑ R.37 by anti-aircraft fire and R.31 shot down by a Sqn. 151 night fighter.[7]
  4. ↑ Ten hours when additional fuel tanks were carried.[11][10][7][6]
  5. ↑ Altitude 15 on the two R.VI's with a supercharger (unofficial).
Citations
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Gray, p.218.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Angelucci, p.78.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Lamberton, pp.226-227.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Angelucci, p.70.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Haddow'69, p.67.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Argus Vol. 3, p.72.
  7. ↑ 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 7.15 7.16 7.17 7.18 7.19 7.20 7.21 7.22 7.23 7.24 7.25 7.26 7.27 7.28 Haddow'69, pp.242-259.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Lamberton, p.154.
  9. ↑ Munson, p.159.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Munson, p.84.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Gray, p.221.
Bibliography
  • Enzo Angelucci, ed. The Rand McNally Encyclopedia of Military Aircraft, 1914-1980. New York: The Military Press, 1983 edition. ISBN 0-517-41021-4.
  • Argus Books, Airplane Archive: Aircraft of World War One, Volume 3. Great Britain: Argus Books, 1989. ISBN 0-85242-998-3
  • Peter Gray and Owen Thetford. German Aircraft of the First World War. Great Britain, Putnam, 1962, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-809-7.
  • G.W. Haddow and Peter M. Grosz, The German Giants; The German R-Planes 1914-1918. New York: Funk & Wagnalls, 2nd Ed., 1969. ISBN 9780370000374
  • W.M. Lamberton and E.F. Cheesman, Reconnaissance & Bomber Aircraft of the 1914-1918 War. Great Britain: Harleyford Publications Ltd., 1962. ISBN 9780900435027
  • Kenneth Munson, Bombers: Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft, 1914-1919. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1968, Blandford Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0753721711
Retrieved from "https://linen.miraheze.org/w/index.php?title=Zeppelin-Staaken_R.VI&oldid=12207"