So...what is this?

[awp101]

I ran across this pic on another forum some time back. No one was able to ID it other than maybe it's a Staaken variant but that's too vague to attempt a search with.



Any ideas?

Thanks!

[xbattlestation]

Looks like a Zeppelin-Staaken VGO.III / R.IV / R.VII - this page:

Zeppelin-Staaken VGO.III / R.IV / R.VII

has your photo with the label "Flight за 1919 г.". There is another photo on the same page of the nose, from a different angle:



Though I'm not 100% sure it is of exactly the same plane...

Using Google reverse image search, your photo also turns up here:

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.ph...e_photos_enjoy

...where the guy that posted it says it is "a Zeppelin (Staaken) R.V."

[Tork1945]

Considering the position of the photographer who took this picture in flight from the top wing down this is the unique Staaken R.V serial R.13/15. The Staaken R.V had gun position on the top wing.
Various other details identify the Staaken R.V like the two separate wing shields for the pilots, the rectangular cut out in the fuselage for the (four) pilots and mechanics. Also visible is only a small exhaust pipe of the front engine at the left front side, no exhaust at the right etc.
The R.V was when seen in full a very characteristic machine, being five engined it looked like a three engined model as streamlined engine nacelles were used to hold the tandem mounted engines driving a tractor four-bladed propeller. The fifth engine in the nose drove a two bladed propeller.

Tork1945

[awp101]

Tork, I believe that nails it! Many thanks!

[crankcase]

Isn't that a Staaken R IV?
I recall having seen those photos in "The German Giants" by Haddow/Grosz.
marc

[crankcase]

Tork,
I read your post more carefully and wonder if some of the photos in Haddow/ Grosz are miscaptioned or if my memory fails me -- probably the latter!
Do you have access to "The German Giants"?
marc

[Tork1945]

Originally Posted by crankcase

Tork,
I read your post more carefully and wonder if some of the photos in Haddow/ Grosz are miscaptioned or if my memory fails me -- probably the latter!
Do you have access to "The German Giants"?
marc

The history of Staaken Riesenflugzeuge is a complex one and difficult to do from memory, at least for me. Before sending my answer I checked my copy of Haddow / Grosz (latest edition). The picture given by asp101 is of course taken from that book (p.237) and referenced as Staaken R.V R.13/15.

Tork1945

[Aerobuff]

Great pictures awp101! Thanks for posting!

Aerobuff

[sator]

That first picture looks like four guys in a limo,great photos thanks for posting.