Fellow Modelers,
Below are photos of my Hippo Models’ 1/144 scale WWI German naval airship LZ41 (L11). It is a huge model with an overall length of 44.5”. The model contained 96 tan and clear resin parts with a majority of the pieces used on the two gondolas that hung under the hull. There were no instructions or paint color references (i.e. FS numbers) provided. I tried to make my model look exactly like what was on the model box top and on Hippo Models’ website. Actual WWI German zeppelin colors are very elusive, and heavily debated from what I have read. The two main colors used on the hull were black and a special mix of tan/dark yellow. A dirty fabric effect was created by dry brushing tan over all the yellow areas, and dark ghost gray over all the black areas. Very small surgical steel rods (.005”) were used for the gondola guy wires. The ship carries a unique “test” camouflage that was applied shortly after it was retired from combat. Unfortunately this model is longer available from Hippo Models, which is too bad since it is a really good resin kit. Listed below is a short history of L11.
L11 was one of ten Type “P” Class zeppelins purchased by the German Navy in the summer of 1914. It was built by Luftschiffbau Zeppelin G.m.b.H. and commissioned on June 8, 1915. The two primary functions of the zeppelins were strategic bombing over England and scouting missions for the Imperial German Navy. As a strategic bomber, L11 participated in 18 raids, more than any other zeppelin. As a scouting aircraft, L11 completed 31 missions, which included providing critical observations during the famous Battle of Jutland (May 31, 1916).
As more advanced zeppelins, with greater lifting capabilities and increased maximum ceilings, became available the surviving “P” Class airships were retired from combat duty. L11 became a training ship and conducted 276 flights as a trainer from September 18, 1916-April 5, 1917. It was decommissioned on April 5, 1917 and was dismantled, beginning November 24, 1917.
Class: “P”
Designation: L11 (Builder’s designation LZ41)
Capacity: 1,126,700 ft3
Length: 536.4 ft.
Crew Compliment: 18
Engines: (4) Maybach C-X, of 219 h.p.
Maximum Speed: 57.7 m.p.h.
Ceiling: 10,500 ft.
Full Speed Endurance: 2,700 miles
