Douzeperan


back to the Index

 


Background

 

     The Y-class zeppelins were developed in 1919 as a long-range, high-altitude bomber for the German military, it was also employed to carry cargo to troops in distant regions (including Africa).

     Note that it's very unlikely, or even impossible, for any of these to be around in useful condition by the 1930s. They weren't built to last very long.

 

Specifications

 

Propulsion and Performance

 

Armament

 

 

Equipment

 

Gondolas and Nacelles

 

     There is a 48 foot long control gondola (at the front), with one of the engines, and the boarding vestibule. There are four mounting points for machine guns in this gondola. Moving between the gondola and the interior of the airship is done via a vertical ladder, encased in an aluminum tube. Two air-filled rubber bumpers on the underside of the gondola cushion landings.

 

red grid lines are spaced 6 feet apart; print this at 1" grid spacing for use with gaming figures

 

     The port and starboard engine nacelles each hold one engine. Access to these nacelles is over open gangplanks -- very un-nerving. The outside windows of these nacelles have mounting points for a machine gun.

     The aft gondola contains three engines. One turns a propeller at the rear of the gondola, and the other two turn propellers mounted on the sides of the airship; long chain-drives turn those propellers. Two mounting points for machine guns are in this gondola, one on each side. A vertical aluminum tube, containing a ladder, connects this gondola to the interior of the airship. There are two air-filled rubber cushions on the underside of this gondola.

 

Interior Spaces

 

     A narrow wooden walkway runs along the keel truss, from the bow to the stern.

 

red grid lines are spaced 6 feet apart; print this at 1" grid spacing for use with gaming figures

 

     Along the keel are some enclosed compartments. Their walls and ceilings are tightly-stretched canvas; for some of them (marked with an asterisk below), the walls and ceiling are quilted, to insulate against noise and cold.

 

Crew

 

     In military service, this class would carry 21 to 30 men, depending on the mission.

 

 

     Mechanics, petty officers and crew act as air-to-air gunners when needed.

     From a source written in 1918:  "Q: Where does the crew of a Zeppelin sleep? A: Within the framework is a long passageway for the crew, a mere boardwalk nine inches wide ... Along this passageway hangs a series of hammocks. This is where the crew is quartered."

     If employed to carry troops, and no bombs, at least 16 could be placed in hammocks for a long-distance voyage.  

 

Variants

 

     LZ-180 "Douzeperan" was produced by Luftschiffbau Zeppelin in 1920 at Friedrichshafen, for the Austrian military (possibly in violation of treaties). It was reported to have an additional 45 foot long gondola carried several meters behind the control gondola. It had an additional ten crew (or passengers) aboard, no bomb bay, and fewer machine guns. A couple of powerful electric searchlights were carried in the nose; and the cloud car system was replaced with a simple platform (13 feet long by 8 feet wide), for raising or lowering cargo. An additional radio room was fitted, above the aft gondola.

 

     The purpose of the additional gondola was unknown; it apparently had no windows.

     This zeppelin operated from the Austrian airfield at Fischamend; it disappeared in November of 1921 while on a secret long-range mission.