PL25 (Parseval-Luftschiff 25) was a non-rigid military airship made in 1914/15 by the Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft in Bitterfeld and was the last single-gondola Parseval. At the same time it was one of the largest non-rigid airships before the second world war. Its maiden flight was on 25 February 1915. It had a slim teardrop-shaped hull.

PL25
Role Patrol airship
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft
First flight 25 February 1915
Status Dismantled
Primary user Imperial German Navy

Operational history

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PL25 served in the Navy, starting with 10 test flights. After 41 reconnaissance missions over the North sea, the ship undertook 34 flights as a training ship based from Tønder.

As defence against enemy aircraft a machine gun stand was fitted to the hull's top.

The ship was stationed from 1915-03-25[1] to 3. November 1915 at Tønder and from 4. November 1915[2] to 29. März 1916 in Fuhlsbüttel. Hauptmann Stelling and Hauptmann Manger were its commanders.

PL25 was put out of service on 1916-03-30[3] and dismantled in the Siemens-Hangar at Berlin-Biesdorf (in Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Berlin). PL 25 made 95 flights.

Specifications

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General characteristics

  • Length: 112.3 m (368 ft 5 in)
  • Diameter: 16.40 m (53 ft 10 in)
  • Volume: 14,000 m3 (494,000 cu ft)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Maybach C-X , 154 kW (206 hp) each

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 76 km/h (48 mph, 42 kn)

Armament

  • 1 × trainable machine gun atop envelope

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Zeppelin Museum gives 1915-03-23
  2. ^ Zeppelin Museum
  3. ^ Zeppelin Museum, other sources give 1917

References

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