PL25 (Parseval-Luftschiff 25) was a non-rigid military airship made in 1914/15 by the Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft in Bitterfeld and was the last single-gondola Parseval. At the same time it was one of the largest non-rigid airships before the second world war. Its maiden flight was on 25 February 1915. It had a slim teardrop-shaped hull.
| PL25 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Role | Patrol airship |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft |
| First flight | 25 February 1915 |
| Status | Dismantled |
| Primary user | Imperial German Navy |
Operational history
editPL25 served in the Navy, starting with 10 test flights. After 41 reconnaissance missions over the North sea, the ship undertook 34 flights as a training ship based from Tønder.
As defence against enemy aircraft a machine gun stand was fitted to the hull's top.
The ship was stationed from 1915-03-25[1] to 3. November 1915 at Tønder and from 4. November 1915[2] to 29. März 1916 in Fuhlsbüttel. Hauptmann Stelling and Hauptmann Manger were its commanders.
PL25 was put out of service on 1916-03-30[3] and dismantled in the Siemens-Hangar at Berlin-Biesdorf (in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Berlin). PL 25 made 95 flights.
Specifications
editGeneral characteristics
- Length: 112.3 m (368 ft 5 in)
- Diameter: 16.40 m (53 ft 10 in)
- Volume: 14,000 m3 (494,000 cu ft)
- Powerplant: 2 × Maybach C-X , 154 kW (206 hp) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 76 km/h (48 mph, 42 kn)
Armament
- 1 × trainable machine gun atop envelope
See also
edit- August von Parseval
- Parseval airships (list of all Parseval airships)
Notes
edit- ^ Zeppelin Museum gives 1915-03-23
- ^ Zeppelin Museum
- ^ Zeppelin Museum, other sources give 1917
References
edit- de:Parseval PL25, German Wikipedia entry