Part 10 (1/2)

Actual construction work was discontinued early in 1920. The Allied Powers so interpreted the Treaty of Versailles that the German aircraft industry was not able to produce s.h.i.+ps or planes having the least possible military value. Further restrictions were defined in the London Ultimatum. They have been enforced by the Allied Control Commission.

Research and Development Work Continues

Notwithstanding this severe handicap, the Zeppelin organizations have been kept intact. There has been sufficient work on motor cars, motor boats, motors, gears, aluminum foundry work, etc. to keep the workmen occupied. Where some of the plants have been closed, the entire personnel has been transferred into the other active organizations. In each branch of the Zeppelin organization design and research work on airs.h.i.+ps and aerial navigation have continued and progressed.

Zeppelin Able to Produce All Types

Luftschiffbau-Zeppelin has been particularly active in developing as far as possible the many ideas and inventions originating before and during the war. Many of their new airs.h.i.+p designs have been completed, others partly finished. It is now possible to produce quickly any type of commercial airs.h.i.+p from of 700,000 to 7,000,000 cubic feet (20,000 to 2,000,000 cubic meters) capacity.

[PLATE 54: 100,000 Cubic Meter Fast Commercial Zeppelin.

Trans-Atlantic mail and express service.

CONTROL and NAVIGATION CAR Pa.s.sENGER and OFFICERS' QUARTERS

For ZEPPELIN AIRs.h.i.+P Entw. 270]

Some of the princ.i.p.al types for which specifications have been completed and the performance of which are guaranteed and further, backed by more than twenty-five years of experience, include:

Plate 51 1-A 20,000 to 30,000 cubic meter fast pa.s.senger Zeppelin, based on the =Bodensee= performance.

Plate 52 2-A 50,000 cubic meter pa.s.senger Zeppelin for medium distances and training purposes.

Plate 53 3-A 60,000 cubic meter fast pa.s.senger Zeppelin for medium distances.

Plate 53-54 4-A 100,000 cubic meter trans-atlantic mail-carrying Zeppelin.

Plate 55 5-A 135,000 cubic meter long distance pa.s.senger Zeppelin.

Airs.h.i.+ps for national defense are available, such as scouting, long distance patrol s.h.i.+ps and others for mine spotting and short radius patrol.

Guaranteed Performance Based on Actual Experience

From actual experience during the war Luftschiffbau-Zeppelin is able to build and guarantee the performance of airplane carrying airs.h.i.+ps which permit large or small planes being launched or taken aboard while in flight.

Bombing and raiding airs.h.i.+ps have been developed; but on the other hand the military development is considered of secondary importance to the vast amount of knowledge and experience acquired for commercial airs.h.i.+p operations.

[PLATE 55: 135,000 Cubic Meter Fast Pa.s.senger Zeppelin.

For long distance pa.s.senger and mail service.]

Complete Airs.h.i.+p Navigation Data Now Available

The Zeppelin Operating Company (”DELAG”) have collaborated in a.s.sembling all possible data relative to the operation and navigation of the great rigids, with a view toward having it available for immediate use and the instruction of other personnel when and wherever circ.u.mstances permit or require.

Aerial transport requirements of the future have been the subject of exhaustive study and research. Many new inventions have resulted from this knowledge of what is necessary to realize even part of the almost limitless possibilities in airs.h.i.+p communication. Innumerable ideas have been created and pa.s.sed upon by experts who have decided finally as to their practicability and financial worth.