Germany -1915 - Siemens-Schuckert Steffen R.I

Germany's Split Tail Giant.

When looking at the R Type giants the idea of form follows function goes out the window. Today's Giant is definitely unusual. Although it is a double boom aircraft it is unique is the use of vertically stacked booms instead of the more orthodox lateral arrangement used on other aircraft.

Siemens-Schuckert Steffen R.I -1915

A Short History of the Siemens-Schuckert Steffen R.I

The Siemens-Schuckert Steffen R.I was a bomber aircraft designed and built in Germany from 1914.

December 1914 saw Siemens-Schuckert start the construction of a series of seven R aircraft, (Riesenflugzeug - giant aircraft) for the Imperial Military Aviation Service. These aircraft were essentially similar differing only in detail, engine installations and wing design. All of the seven Steffen designed aircraft were powered by three engines mounted in the forward compartment of the fuselage driving two tractor propellers mounted between the mainplanes via clutches, shafts and gearboxes.

The large forward compartment also housed the crew of between four and six in an enclosed cabin and open gun positions. Attached to the forward compartment were triangular section diverging booms, top and bottom, which supported the tail section, allowing the rear gunners, in positions between the boom attachments, a wide field of fire.

The R.I was used in non-operational roles at the eastern front and retained for training. R.II and R.III were used for training only, but R.IV, R.V, R.VI and R.VII were all used on operational missions by Rfa 501 (Riesenflugzeug abteilung) at Vilna on the eastern front.

References

1. From Wikipedia Siemens-Schuckert Steffen R.I, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siemens-Schuckert_Steffen_R.I
2. Haddow, G.W. & Grosz, Peter M. The German Giants, The Story of the R-planes 1914-1919 London. Putnam. 1963.
3. Gray, Peter & Thetford, Owen. German Aircraft of the First World War. London, Putnam. ISBN 0 370 00103 6

Germany - 1918 - Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII

Riesenflugzeug Fever is Driving Me Crazy! (Baby!)

Slowly but surely I am working my way through a large number of 3 view plans to turn into profiles. I have taken a break from posting Staaken R types for the moment while I get more master files completed. I may start with the V.G.O series first. It provides a reference point design evolution of that family of giant aircraft. I think it is time for a side trip on our journey through the land of giants, so I'm going to work our way back in time to illustrate giant aircraft designed by Siemens-Schuckert Werke G.m.b.H., Siemensstadt. Berlin. My next post in the current series will be the on the Siemens-Schuckert Steffen R.I. I am still working on the master files for the R.III and 3 versions of the Forssman Giant.

Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII R23/16 - 1918

A Short History of the Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII

The Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII was a bomber aircraft designed and built in Germany.

Armed with the experience gained in the development of the Steffen R series, Siemens-Schuckert felt confident in their ability to produce even larger bombers. Their next project was developing a new design that dwarfed anything they had previously built. Their plan was to produce a six engined Riesenflugzeug for the Military Air Service.As with many of the other contemporary R projects the R.VIII had all six engines inside the fuselage, where they were tended by mechanics, driving two tractor and two pusher propellers, mounted between the main-planes, via leather cone clutches combining gearboxes, shafts and bevel gearboxes. Two aircraft were built but only the first, R23/16, was completed. Ground trials began in 1919, after the armistice. The trials were interrupted by a gearbox failure which resulted in a propeller breaking up and causing extensive damage to the aircraft.

The second airframe, R24/16 was never completed and the first not repaired after the ground running accident due to the Versaille Treaty restrictions. At the time of its completion the Siemens-Schuckert R.VIII was the largest complete airplane in the world, (the Mannesman-Poll triplane was to have been much bigger but was not completed before the Versaille Treaty restrictions were applied).

References

1. Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI. (2012, May 12). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 01:11, May 17, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zeppelin-Staaken_R.VI&oldid=492276869
2. Mark's Lists German Giants Retrieved 01:01, May 17, 2012, from http://www.markslists.net/history/germangiants/index.html
3. The Aerodrome Forum Zeppelin Staaken R.vi/ Type L Seeflugzeug Bomber Camouflage Retrieved 01:01, May 17, 2012, from http://www.theaerodrome.com/forum/camouflage-markings/33768-zeppelin-staaken-r-vi-type-l-seeflugzeug-bomber-camouflage.html
4. E. Offermann, W. G. Noack, and A. R. Weyl, "Riesenflugzeuge, in: Handbuch der Flugzeugkunde" (Richard Carl Schmidt & Co., 1927).
5. Haddow, G.W. & Grosz, Peter M. "The German Giants, The Story of the R-planes 1914–1919". London. Putnam. (1962, 3rd ed. 1988).ISBN 0-85177-812-7
6. Gray, Peter & Thetford, Owen. "German Aircraft of the First World War". London, Putnam. (2nd Ed.) 1970. ISBN 0-370-00103-6
7. Wagner, Ray and Nowarra, Heinz, "German Combat Planes", Doubleday, 1971.

Germany - 1918 - Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI, s/n 8301

When Knights Take Wing and Dragons Scourge the Land.

We all see history through rose colored glasses. Many see the fight in the air during the First World War as the last battle of knighthood. If the fighter and the pilot are the knight on a warhorse then the giant bombers were the dragons. Some may say the German lighter than air fleet should take precedence I have to say when it comes down to speed and survivability heavier than aircraft win that argument.

My search for all flying things large has been very satisfying. I feel like a kid looking up in rapt amazement at a museum display of dinosaurs. “How did it survive? when did it live? Why is it so darn big?” Even without all the questions answered, you took away this. Things can be as big as possible if you have enough energy to keep it running.

Giant German Sea planes

Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI, s/n 8301 - 1918

This is Number 8301, the first of the production series of Staaken giant float-planes. The colors are conjectural. From photos it appears but is not substantiated that the difference in the paint scheme is the s/n is 8303. Some photos show it used as a passenger aircraft, although they still carried military paint.

Some Personal Observations on the 8301

The German Naval Air Service had an interest in float-equipped seaplanes so it is no surprise they turned an eye to the prospect of a giant float plane. One Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI was ordered to be converted on September 5, 1917. The new was designated the Type L and issued the serial number 1432. The Zeppelin-Staaken Type L was powered by four Maybach engines using a 2 tractor, 2 pusher propeller configuration. Unfortunately the prototype crashed during testing on June 3, 1918.

The project did not die with the s/n 1432. The German Naval Air Service thought results were promising enough to continue development. They showed their confidence in the design with an order of four improved giant float-planes. The Type 8301 was developed from the Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI and the data from the Type L tests. Several important design changes made it an elegant. First change was elevating the fuselage above the lower wing which improved water clearance. To enhance mission flexibility, range became a major factor in mission success. The logical choice was to replace munitions with fuel. By eliminating the bomb bays, the range could be extended. With the extended flight time there was a need to shelter the crew from the elements. This was solved by enclosing the open gun position on the nose provided comfort and protection to the forward gun position. Production ended after the war, of the four aircraft ordered only three were delivered.