Control linkage on Zeppelins

9 April 2001, 11:30 AM

What type of linkage was used to control
those huge rudders and elevators on all
Zeppelins. Were they hydraulic, mechanic-
al or gear-reduction set ups.

Dan_San_Abbott · 10 April 2001, 08:03 AM

Ed:
The elevators and rudders were cable operated. The elevators and rudders were balanced to assist in their operation. From my studies of the Zeppelin and Schütte-Lanz airships I have found no reference whatsoever to any mechanical, hydraulic or electrical assists in the operation of the elevators or rudders. The elevators must have been weight balance on their leading edge to compensate for the weight aft of the hinge line.
Blue skies,
Dan-San Abbott

10 April 2001, 05:20 PM

Dan:
Thanks for the reply. Would you know
if the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburgh had
any improvements in the vertical and
horizontal controls since WW I?

Dan_San_Abbott · 11 April 2001, 08:26 AM

Ed:
I don't know if the they had some form of assist, I would suspect they did when you consider the size of the elevators and rudders.
When the Graf Zeppelin made the flight around the world and flew over san Francisco, my Father, Lt.Col. Harry W. Abbott, loaded my brothers and I in the front seat of his OX 5 Swallow and we flew along side the airship from the stern to the bow, it took quite awhile, the Swallow was not that much faster. Dad took a picture of it, it is in one of his albums.
Blue skies,
Dan-San Abbott

14 April 2001, 12:52 PM

Dan:
That must've been quite an experience
getting that close to the Graf. I'll bet
all your friends were quite envious of
you and wishing they had a dad that was
a military pilot. I myself didn't get to
see the Hindenburg that close, but it did
pass right over my house on its maiden
voyage in '36. I also saw it on its last
voyage while coming home from school in
'37. Our school was situated on a hill
in the Bronx and we kids had a great view
of the Hindenburg as it circled NYC wait-
ing out the storm.
By the way how old were you when you
unofficially greeted the Graf?
Today, I notice the absence of kids
curiousity as an aircraft passes over-
head. I still to this day look up when an
aircraft passes overhead. Ah progress and
prosperity, it seems to have dulled the
senses of a lot of the young ones.