FS2002 - Zeppelin Staaken R.IV Giant Seaplane 1917
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Stephan Scholz - January 2003
Installation:
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Unzip and place the folder "StaakenL 1917" into the FS2002 Aircraft directory.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
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Do not attempt to edit the Aircraft.cfg file with FSEdit, as the engine parameters will be overwritten with FSEDit default values, and the file will be rendered useless. Use another editor like Notepad, or suchlike. There is FDE backup folder with copies in case of need.
The Virtual Staaken R.IV:
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Made with Abacus Aircraft Factory 99 and animated with Abacus Aircraft Animator.
This model is based on lots of detailed information from various sources on the Internet,
Blauer Max Flugzeug Museum
Luftfahrtgeschichte.com
Pilots-n-planes-ww1.com
as well as some colour scans sent to me by FSAviator, which made is easier to decide on the colour schemes to be used.
I had always been curious how these huge old planes would fly, and thanks to Aircraft Factory 99 and FDEditor, it has been possible to re-reate this giant, built almost 90 years ago. Its immense proportions and relatively low power give it a totaly different flying sensation to what we are accustomed to nowadays in modern aircraft.
Textures:
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Featured in early clear-doped tan and brown livery, prior to the standard-issue 1918 lozenge pattern.
Flight Dynamics:
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The FS2002 FDE have been specially written for this model by FSAviator, emmulating the throttle-gated, high compression engines on the aircraft, giving the plane a very authentic behaviour.
Note:
In those days these planes had no flaps, wheel-steering, spoilers or brakes... although this model did have pre-flight elevator trim, but was fuel trimmed in flight.
Panel:
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Default Cessna 182 Panel - but Custom panel with vintage gauges ZEPR6PNL.ZIP is recommended.
Important note:
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The left tank has to be emptied prior to take-off, as this tank is used for fuel-trimming. OTHERWISE THE PLANE WILL BE VERY NOSE-HEAVY. (FS2002 does not allow tanks to be defined as empty at the beginning of a flight).
For purists, who like to emmulate the real behaviour of this plane:
This tank is in a forward position on this model, and fuel is transferred between this tank and the others, depending on the need for trimming the aircraft during flight. Pumping fuel into it (remember to take it out of the right or centre tank) makes the aircraft nose-heavy.
For non-purists - use the elevator trimm gauge.
Sounds:
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Default Cessna C182 sounds, but the GothVsnd.zip custom sounds available for download are recommended, as they have been especially designed for the low RPM level of the engines on this model.
Animation:
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Abacus Aircraft Animator - Props, ailerons, steering wheel-yoke, elevator and rudders.
Legal stuff:
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This aircraft is freeware.
No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage incurred directly or
indirectly from its use. The original unaltered files may be freely
distributed, uploaded, downloaded and shared. Please maintain proper
credit, of course, and make no financial gain whatsoever.
Description: Multi-engined giant bomber. Crew of seven.
Manufacturers: Zeppelin Werke Staaken G.m.b.H. Staaken bei Berlin (Staak.).
Sub-contractors: Automobil und Aviatik A.G., Leipzig-Heiterblick
Ostdeutsche Albatros Werke G.m.b.H., Schneidemuhl
Luftfahrzeugbau Schutte-Lanz, Mannheim.
Power Plant:
4x267hp high-compression Mercedes D.IVa 6-cylinder in-line water-cooled engines,
altitude rated at 1300 metres at 1450 RPM.
Dimensions:
Span: 42.2 m. (138 ft. 5 5/8 in.)
Length: 22.1 m. (72 ft. 6 ΒΌ in.)
Height: 6 .3m. (20 ft. 8 in.)
Area: 332 sq.m. (3,595 sq.ft.)
Weights:
Empty: 7,921 kg. (17,426 lb.)
Loaded: 11,848 kg. (26,066 lb.)
Performance:
Max speed: 135 km.hr. (84.35 m.p.h.)
Climb: 3,000 m. (9,840 ft.) 43 min
Ceiling: 4,320 m. (14,170 ft.)
Endurance: 7-10 hr.
Armament:
Four manually operated Parabellum machine-guns in nose, dorsal
and ventral positions. Various bomb loads carried to suit tactical or
strategic requirement.
Taken from the internet page, Pilots-n-planes-ww1.com:
Source: The German Giants by Haddow and Grosz,
Putnam Books ISBN 0 85177 812 7
Source: German Aircraft of World War I by Gray & Thetford,
Putnam Books, ISBN 0 85177 809 7
