Zeppelin L 72 (LZ 114)

Description

Zeppelin "L 72" (factory number "LZ 114") was the last X-class "Height-Climber" of the German Empire. It was at the time of construction the world's largest Zeppelin, and with its 6 engines, "L 72" could reach speeds higher than 130 km/h, making it also the fastest Zeppelin.
It was constructed at Luftschiffbau Zeppelin in Friedrichshafen, and was the last Zeppelin that was build during the War. After the War it was ceded to France and renamed "Dixmude".

• Length: 226,5 m (743 ft)
• Diameter (max.): 24.0 m (78.7 ft)
• Gas volume: 68,2125 m³
• Number of gas cells: 14
• Number of gondolas: 6
• Number of propellers: 6 x Lorenzen
• Number of crew members: 23
• Max speed: 130 km/h (36,1 m/s; 70.2 mph)
• Range: 7,400 km (4600 miles)
• Max altitude: 8500 m (27,890 ft)
• Engines: 6 x Maybach HSLu of 260 hp each. Total: 18200 hp.
• Factory number: LZ 114
• Type:X

Download

Zeppelin L 72(LZ 112) Size 6.8Mb

Pilot Notes

Gas valve controls

• F/f - Open/close the gas valves of the fore gas cells.
• G/g - Open/close the gas valves of the aft gas cells.

Rigid airships like L 72 take-off light in a static maneuver and normally land weighed-off to slightly heavy in a static maneuver. The primary use for the gas valves is to reduce static lightness when needed.

Ballast controls

• w - Show current on-ground weight. Only works when on the ground.
• W - Weigh off to neutral by adding/removing ballast. Takes about 10 seconds and is only applicable when on the ground.
• e - Open/close ballast doors. They must be open to release ballast.
• E/D - Drop one quick-release (a.k.a. emergency) ballast bag fore/aft. There are 6 bags fore and 4 aft.
• d - Drop all quick-release ballast bags from the trim ballast.
• Ctrl+W - Refill the quick-release ballast bags from the trim ballast.

Ground crew

• Y - Tell ground crew to let go.
• U - Request ground crew to prepare for landing.
• Ctrl + click on terrain - Place the ground crew.

Weapons

• b - Open/close bomb bays.
• j - Select next Bomb.
• J - Drop selected Bombs.

Specials

• o - Use oxygen masks at high altitude.
• k - Start automatic landing sequence, you must be lower than 200 m for that.

Engine Controls

Engines are controlled with the "Machine Telegraph".

There is no need for the usual key commands. To start the engine just click on the "Leer" text left to the lever. The left part of the lever will jump into position. When the command is executed (Engine started or throttle changed) the right part of the lever will jump into position.

Engines are arranged from left to right, the fore engine is on the far left, then comes the left side engine, next comes then right side engine and finally the three aft engines.