Large aircraft identification

[ChrisM]

Could anyone please help me in identifying what this once was?

Thanks.

Chris

[Dolphin]

Chris

The machine is, or was, a German Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV photographed at Cologne in February 1919. The aeroplane in front of it is a rather battered Nieuport XI in what looks like British markings; a type that had long disappeared from front line unit service. Perhaps the Nieuport was the personal craft of a senior officer or a machine recovered after capture. From the appearance of the undercarriage, it may not have been airworthy. Also the fuselage fabric where the roundel should be might be missing (souvenired?).

Another view of the same R.XIV is below.

I hope this helps.

Gareth

[Dolphin]

Chris

Here's another view of a Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV, this time unburnt and in flight. The little lump protruding above the near engine nacelle is a mechanic; the engines of the R-types had to be able to be maintained in flight. The man gives an idea of the sheer size of the machine: span 42.2m (138ft 5.5in); length 22.5m (73ft 10in). There were five 245hp Maybach engines powering the beast.

Cheers

Gareth

[ChrisM]

Thanks very much for all that, Gareth. Most useful and informative. And what an aircraft!

I’ve found a brief online movie clip of one of these things on the ground. See

http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.film.f/f041a

In case it’s of interest I attach a slightly higher definition pic. of the Nieuwport.

Thanks again.

Chris

[N.S.Regt.]

Chris M

There is a surviving engine and nacelle in the Krakow Aviation Museum do not think much else survives from the Zepplin-Straaken.

Best Regards

N.S.Regt.

[Dolphin]

Chris

Thanks very much for posting the fascinating film clip. The machine shown is R.69/18, which was a Staaken R.XIVa. The R.XIVa differed from the R.XIV by being a bit lighter and having minor structural changes to improve performance.

R.69/18 was delivered on 19 October 1918 and didn't see any active service. In 1919 it was chartered by the Ukrainian Government to transport money to the Ukraine, but was seized by the Inter-Allied Control Commission when it returned to Aspern, near Vienna, after a flight. The aeroplane was then handed over to Italy.

A photograph of R.69/18 in the Ukraine is below.

The Nieuport XI is a bit of a puzzle. It certainly doesn't look airworthy. If it was a former captured machine, it must have been in German hands for a couple of years, so it's odd that it wasn't re-marked with black crosses.

Cheers

Gareth