At last, within your current MS Flight Simulator 4.ob and A&SD you are now able to fly a real airship with a real airship flight model. This file contains two carefully designed scale renditions of the world-famous airship Graf Zeppelin, with markings D-LZ127, and callsign
D-ENNE. The flight model was the result of much A&SD tinkering, originally with the intention of creating a SIM that flies backwards and could thus be used in Helicopters and even wierder FS4 applications. This will appear shortly just as soon as I have completed the visual side.
Other files by the author, include AUNTJU.ZIP a rendition of the Junkers JU52 and CANARY.ZIP a scenery file of the megaconstruction project Canary Wharf in London Docklands otherwise known as the Isle of Dogs.
Future files to be uploaded will include a revolutionary method to design SIM flight models according to extremely exact definitions of flight behaviour and general aerodynamics.
I appreciate all comments about any files I upload, and really enjoy reading and contributing on this forum.
Ernest Millward, London England.
24/oct/1993
The files listed below included in this package are uploaded exclusively and for the first time by the originating author Ernest L. Millward, on 24/0ct/1993, to the Compuserve Flight Simulations forum (FSFO). All rights are reserved by the author, and the copyright to the visual and dynamic aspects of this model remain his sole and unique property.
1) LZ127XEM.sim and accompanying file LZ127XEM. with startup MOD file on Runway 36 Chicago Meigs LZ127XEM.mod.
These three files position you in the fore of the Zeppelin craft, namely directly within the pilot's cabin. You are then able to achieve a 150degree view in any one of 8 viewing directions while flying this model from this position. It should be noted that to achieve this goal, the centre of gravity of the craft was positioned near your current viewpoint, and hence the flight model is marginally affected by this procedure (see further for flight model and flying instructions).
2) LZ127YEM.sim and accompanying file LZ127YEM. with startup MOD file on Runway 36 Chicago Meigs LZ127YEM.mod.
These three files position you outside at a distance of 500feet from the craft on its right side. It's necessary to set the spotplane at this distance due to the enormous size of this vessel (236m in length). The flight model in this instance is located dead centre of the visuals, and therefore offers ideal handling conditions. You are unable in this configuration to view from within the fore cockpit position, but instead view through the standard default cockpit.
3) A selection of Mod files are included to enable users to startup in locations on other Scenery Disks by Sublogic and Mallard to make slewing to precise locations less tedious. These mod files are setup for both LZ127aircraft/sim combinations.
Flight Model
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As mentioned the flight model was first discovered about a year ago while tinkering to achieve a flight model that flies backwards. Nutty as it was at the time, it has produced some very interesting flight models, that I may be publicising shortly.
This is how it works....
1) Takeoff.
Flaps down all the way or at least 2/3, Elevators/and or trim set to create moderate lift from the outset, and Throttle on or near full for the duration of takeoff. Use your keyboard or Joystick to maintain the craft straight and level after this.
2) Landing.
Throttle down to 1/3, Elevators/and or trim set to create downward pressure, Nose down and steady descent. At a safe hovering height drop flaps 1/3, 2/3, full as required and modify the Throttle for speed and height. Very near to touchdown, do a mini flare(mini ... OK!) and reduce engines, if need be reduce engines by switching right or left off. On the ground hit brakes and switch engines off. Simple!
3) Flying.
Well fellahs, flying airships is like sailing. You are going to have to reckon with the wind, and it takes a long lag time when turning corners or slowing down, or speeding up. Don't worry about the extreme rolling and yawing you (and your passengers) are going to experience. This is all part and parcel of airship travel. Turn the volume of your engines down, since the main consolation of flying airships is a graceful, slow and silent experience. Indeed, for all the scenery lovers and seat of the pants flyers this sim is ideal.
Thank yous
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At this point I want thank in particular the authors of Mallard's BAO Aircraft and Adventure Factory that enabled me to marry up my SIM with the Visuals designed in this splendid program. One of the people involved in this product was a good buddy of mine, and I want to thank him for his design advice that enabled me to really "get into" this program, which now occupies a firm place on my HDD!
I also want to thank the sysops of the Compuserve FSFO forum, Rick Lee, Mike Barrs, and Jim Ross and all the other Memex guys who make this such a great place to exchange views and pick up new ideas.
Some history.... for those like me who find it fascinating.
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The Locarno Treaty of 1925 lifted Allied restrictions on the building of Airships in Germany. Manufacture of the new Zeppelin began in early 1927. On the nineteenth anniversary of Graf von Zeppelin's death, on the 8th July 1928, the airship made it's maiden voyage - a 36 hour endurance test.
During the following year she flew 17178 hours on 590 flights. The airship was technically unique as the only rigid of its time to operate on a gaseous fuel, Blaugas ( a combination of propylene,methane,acetane,acetylene,butylene and hydrogen) only nine percent heavier than air.
After the first North Atlantic return flight which was highly profitable as a result of revenue earned by press concessions, special airmail, and premium passenger fares, Graf Zeppelin was used for other special flights, including a number to S.America, around Spain and other parts of Europe, to the Middle East, an extended cruise around the Arctic, and a trip around the world with stops at Tokyo, Los Angeles and Lakehurst.
After the Hindeburg disaster she was finally withdrawn from service in June 1937. She was not designed for the safer helium gas, which at the time could only be extracted from natural gas in the U.S., and for strategic reasons was not exportable.
In May 1940 in the operating hangar at Frankfurt am Main she was finally broken up.
Technical Details
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Manufacturer: Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH
Built at Friedrichshafen
Chief Designer L Duerr
Main Structural material: duraluminium
Powerplant: five 530hp Maybach VL2 twelve cylinder vee engines with reversibility.
Gas capacity at 100% inflation... 75000cum (hydrogen) and 30000cum (blaugas)
