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| Zeppelin "LZ-1" | |
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| First Zeppelin flight shown above a boat at Lake Constance | |
| Role | Experimental airship |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Luftschifffahrt |
| Designed by | Theodor Kober |
| First flight | 2 July 1900 |
| Status | Scrapped |
The Zeppelin LZ1 was the first truly successful experimental rigid airship, first flown from a floating hangar on Lake Constance, near Friedrichshafen in southern Germany, at 20:03[1] on 2 July 1900.[2]
"LZ" stood for Luftschiff Zeppelin, or "Airship Zeppelin".
Design and development
The LZ1 was 128 metres (420 ft) long[2], 11.7 metres (38 ft) in diameter[2] and weighed 13 tons.[1] It was constructed using a cylindrical framework covered with smooth surfaced cotton cloth. Inside was a row of 17 gas cells each covered in rubberized cloth. The hydrogen-gas capacity totaled 11,300 cubic metres (400,000 cu ft).[2]
The airship was steered by forward and aft rudders and propulsion was provided by two 15-hp Daimler internal-combustion engines, each rotating two propellers. The airship also employed a 130 kg weight suspended beneath the hull that could be slid forward or aft to control its attitude and about 300 kg ballast.[1] Passengers and crew were carried in two 6.2 metre long aluminum gondolas suspended forward and aft.
Operational history
At its first trial the LZ1 carried five persons attaining an altitude of 400Â metres (1,300Â ft) and flew a distance of 6Â kilometres (3.7Â mi) in 18 minutes, but the wind then forced an emergency landing on the water. After repairs the ship flew two more times showing its potential, beating the speed record then held by the French Army airship, La France, of 6Â metres per second (22Â km/h) by 3Â metres per second (11Â km/h), but this could not convince the possible investors.[1] Because funding was exhausted, Graf von Zeppelin had to dismantle the prototype, sell the scrap and tools and liquidate the company.[1]
Specifications
General characteristics
- Length: 128 m (420 ft in)
- Diameter: 11.70 m (38 ft in)
- Volume: 143,000 m³ (400,000 ft³)
- Powerplant: 2 × Daimler piston engines, 11 kW (15 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 28 km/h (18 mph)
See also
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: LZ 1 |
References
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. pp. 906.
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