Zeppelin Staaken R.vi/ Type L Seeflugzeug Bomber Camouflage

[FOKKERJ]

In "AIRCRAFT of WORLD WAR I" by KENNETH MUNSON, Quote:"One seaplane R.VI was built but lost on test; and three other seaplanes incorporating features of the R.VI, R. XIV, and R.XV." In the introduction he shows a Zeppelin Staaken on floats with the caption: "Germany's only successful giant bomber was the Zeppelin (Staaken) R.VI. Above is one of these machines mounted on enormous floats, in which form it was known as the Type L."

CONTRAIL's Zeppelin Staaken R.VI 1/72" scale model kit shows a giant seaplane on the cover of their box art work. It is covered in "KRIEGSMARINE" camouflage.

Does anyone know of any colors and markings for these seafaring aeroplanes? Is the Kriegsmarine camouflage correct?

MERRY CHRISTMAS, FOKKERJ

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by FOKKERJ

In "AIRCRAFT of WORLD WAR I" by KENNETH MUNSON, Quote:"One seaplane R.VI was built but lost on test; and three other seaplanes incorporating features of the R.VI, R. XIV, and R.XV." In the introduction he shows a Zeppelin Staaken on floats with the caption: "Germany's only successful giant bomber was the Zeppelin (Staaken) R.VI. Above is one of these machines mounted on enormous floats, in which form it was known as the Type L."

CONTRAIL's Zeppelin Staaken R.VI 1/72" scale model kit shows a giant seaplane on the cover of their box art work. It is covered in "KRIEGSMARINE" camouflage.

Does anyone know of any colors and markings for these seafaring aeroplanes? Is the Kriegsmarine camouflage correct?

MERRY CHRISTMAS, FOKKERJ

I thought that I would refresh this to see if there is any known information on this subject.

FRÖHLICHE WEIHNACHTEN,

Jay Schwartz

[FOKKERJ]

I thought that I would keep this alive until someone can answer this question.

Thanks in advance, FOKKERJ

[Flamingo]

In the book "The German Giants" are some photographs of these machines p 264 and 266. On 8301 the pattern looks irregular like the land variant, on 8303 it is regular like the naval pattern. But don't ask me about colours!

Hope this of a little help

Joachim

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Jay:
I did a study a long time ago identifying the R type camouflage schemes. I neglected to do the Kreigsmarine Staaken L, I guess I ran out of gas, I don't remember. Any how I saw you request and I thought I 'd get my but in gear and see what could find. Well here it is .
Staaken L 1432. Light grey over all with black iron crosses edged in white.
the plywood nose is dark, is probably stained.
Staaken L 8301. The fuselage is covered with the five color dark pattern. I assume the wings are covered with the same fabric. Black latin crosses, with interior white edges. Staaken L 8302, probabvly finished the same as 8301.
Staaken L 8303. This machine is covered with the Kreigsmarine 3 color printed elongated hexagons (150 x 200mm) in greyish violet, greyish blue and greyish brown. The rudders are painted white. The crosses are the Latin cross with interior white edges.
The engine nacelles and struts and floats were bluish grey in accordance with the ABB specification.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by Flamingo

In the book "The German Giants" are some photographs of these machines p 264 and 266. On 8301 the pattern looks irregular like the land variant, on 8303 it is regular like the naval pattern. But don't ask me about colours!

Hope this of a little help

Joachim

Hi Flamingo,

Actually that is a big help! I guess I need to visit the book "The German Giants", if I can ever get my hands on one.

Thank you for your time and the great information.

Very Best Regards, Jay

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by Dan_San_Abbott

Jay:
I did a study a long time ago identifying the R type camouflage schemes. I neglected to do the Kreigsmarine Staaken L, I guess I ran out of gas, I don't remember. Any how I saw you request and I thought I 'd get my but in gear and see what could find. Well here it is .
whether. Light grey over all with black iron crosses edged in white.
the plywood nose is dark, is probably stained.
Staaken L 8301. The fuselage is covered with the five color dark pattern. I assume the wings are covered with the same fabric. Black latin crosses, with interior white edges. Staaken L 8301, probabvly finished the same as 8301.
Staaken L 8303. This machine is covered with the Kreigsmarine 3 color printed elongated hexagons (150 x 200mm) in greyish violet, greyish blue and greyish brown. The rudders are painted white. The crosses are the Latin cross with interior white edges.
The engine nacelles and struts and floats were bluish grey in accordance with the ABB specification.
Blue skies,
Dan-San

Hi Dan-San,

Hell Dan-San, I would have gave you gas!
I'm not going to ask 'How many speeds?' your rear end differential has!

Thank you very much for your time and research on this matter.

It sounds like both Staaken L 8301 and Staaken L 8302(?) are probably both covered in the five color dark pattern on the fuselage and probably the same on the wings.
Is it correct that it was normal to cover the wings and fuselage with the printed pattern and also the wings with the printed pattern only, but the fuselage "Hand Painted" on some of many of the "GIANTS"? But not the other way around: "Hand Painted" wings with printed fabric on the fuselage.

I believe it was "Hacker", in another thread, that was working on the "correct" Kriegsmarine, with your advise. Do you have color pattern samples of the "Kriegsmarine 3 color printed elongated hexagons" available for a fee? Also have you been working with or advising anyone on the correct Kriegsmarine three color camouflage for decals?

All four machines in their three respective colors sound attractive. Sometimes it seems that I tend to spend more time researching markings and colors than building. That can be the nature of this beast!


In "AIRCRAFT of WORLD WAR I" by KENNETH MUNSON, Quote:"One seaplane R.VI was built but lost on test; and three other seaplanes incorporating features of the R.VI, R. XIV, and R.XV."


I'm curious if it's known whether it was Staaken L 1432, the Light Gray one, that was the first one that was lost on testing it. It should be the R.VI.

If so, the next three, the Staaken L 8301, 8302, & the 8303, sound like R.VI's with the features of the R.VI, R. XIV, and R.XV incorporated into their design.
I wonder if information on these improvements is available?

Thanks for any additional information.

Very Best Regards, Jay

[FOKKERJ]

Originally Posted by Flamingo

In the book "The German Giants" are some photographs of these machines p 264 and 266. On 8301 the pattern looks irregular like the land variant, on 8303 it is regular like the naval pattern. But don't ask me about colours!

Hope this of a little help

Joachim

Hi Joachim,

It looks like the information that you provided on Zeppelin Staaken L. 8301 and 8303 compliments that of Dan-San's intel.

Again thank you very much, Jay