Viktoria Luise, hull number LZ 11, was a Zeppelin passenger airship operated by DELAG in the early 20th century. It was named after Princess Victoria Louise of Prussia.
The airship made its maiden flight on 14àFebruaryà1912, and after being transferred to Frankfurt-Rebstock in midâÂÂFebruary, it carried out its first passenger flight on 4àMarchà1912. It operated mainly within Germany, serving destinations such as Heligoland, Hamburg, and Copenhagen.
With the outbreak of World War I, LZà11 was transferred to the Imperial German Army for use as a training ship. Before that, it had completed 489 passenger flights, covering 54,312â¯km and carrying 9,738 people (including crew). On 8àOctoberà1915, it was destroyed while being housed in a hangar at the airship base in Liegnitz.
In total, Viktoriaâ¯Luise made over 1,400 flights.
LZâ¯11 was a sister ship to Zeppelin LZà10 Schwaben, with minor improvements such as enhanced steering and an extra eightâÂÂmetre segment. It measured 148â¯m in length, 14â¯m in diameter, with a gas volume of 18,700â¯mó. The framework enclosed 18 hydrogenâÂÂfilled gas cells.
The structure was covered in impregnated cotton fabric. Two engine gondolas and a central passenger cabin hung below the hull.
The front gondola held one of the three Maybach engines (110â¯kW/150â¯hp), plus the controls. The rear gondola accommodated the other two engines.
The front engine drove a pair of twoâÂÂbladed propellers (~500â¯rpm). The tail featured six vertical rudders and two horizontal stabilizers, giving a turning radius of about 550â¯m.
Total power was 330â¯kW, enabling a cruise speed of 61â¯km/h and a top speed of 72â¯km/h.
Usable lift was around 6,500â¯kg, decreasing with altitude (200â¯kg per 80â¯m) and temperature (75â¯kg per 1â¯ðC). Fuel and oil consumption (1,200âÂÂ1,500â¯kg) allowed 10âÂÂ12â¯h flight with all engines, and up to 20â¯h with two engines, giving a range of 800âÂÂ1,000â¯km, depending on winds.
The crew numbered 8âÂÂ9: a commander, flight engineer, two helmsmen, and 1âÂÂ2 mechanics in the front gondola, plus others in the rear.
The passenger cabin, designed by Bauer & Wirth (Stuttgart), had seating for 20, mahogany paneling, mother-of-pearl inlays, runningâÂÂwater lavatory, carpeted floor, large view windows, wicker furniture, and service for cold food and drinks.
Its sister ship was Zeppelin LZÃÂ 13 Hansa, which began DELAG passenger flights on 30ÃÂ JulyÃÂ 1912.