Zeppelin-Lindau Rs.IV

The Zeppelin‑Lindau Rs.IV was a large German maritime patrol seaplane built by Luftschiffbau Zeppelin in the final months of World War I. Development began in 1917 as part of the ‘Riesenflugzeug’ (giant aircraft) program, intended to provide the Imperial Navy with long‑range reconnaissance and anti‑submarine capability over the North Sea. The Rs.IV was a four‑engine, biplane configuration with a wooden hull and twin pontoons, allowing water take‑offs and landings. Its power came from four Mercedes D.IVa inline engines mounted in two push‑pull nacelles between the wings, delivering a combined output of roughly 2,400 horsepower. The aircraft featured a spacious interior that could accommodate a crew of up to eight, a forward‑firing machine gun, and a bomb bay capable of carrying up to 2,000 kg of ordnance. Although only a single prototype was completed before the armistice, the Rs.IV demonstrated the feasibility of massive multi‑engine floatplanes and influenced post‑war designs such as the Dornier Wal. Its innovative push‑pull engine arrangement and robust hull construction marked a significant step toward modern maritime patrol aircraft, illustrating the ambition and engineering skill of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin during the early era of aviation.

Luftschiffbau Zeppelin

Zeppelin-Lindau Rs.IV

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