Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV

Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV
Role	Bomber
National origin	Germany
Manufacturer	Schütte-Lanz
Designer	Graf von Zeppelin
First flight	25 July 1918
Primary user	Luftstreitkräfte
Developed from	Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV

The Zeppelin-Staaken R.XV was an Imperial German bomber of World War I. An incremental improvement to the Zeppelin-Staaken R.VI, this was one of a series of large strategic bombers called Riesenflugzeuge intended to be less vulnerable than dirigibles in use at the time.

Almost identical to the R.XIV, the R.XV had a lighter airframe and more refined aerodynamics, in an effort to improve performance. Three aircraft were ordered, (R.46 to R.48); all three being completed by 1 September 1918.

As with most Zeppelin Riesenflugzeuge, the R.XV had two engine pods with 4 engines in a push-pull configuration, large enough for some in-flight maintenance. Additional power was provided by a fifth engine mounted in the nose of the aircraft.

At least two of the R.XVs built saw action on the Western Front, late in 1918.

Data from The German Giants

General characteristics

Performance

Armament

...
Wikipedia