„L 59“ - the German airship

In 1917 Dr. Zupitza, the former head of the German West African Medical Service, went into action to transport weapons and supplies by airship to Colonel Lettow-Vorbeck's units, fighting in Tanzania. Only on October 4 the Kaiser sign his consent to the flight. A one-way flight with 16 tons of cargo is planned, covering a distance of 5,800 km. None of the airships, built at that time, could cope with such a task, so it was decided to lengthen the "L 57" airship, which are under construction at that time. On October 7 the airship was taken out of the hangar in Jutenborg for a test flight. But the intensifying storm forced to postpone the start and return the airship back to the hangar. But 700 people did not hold it and the “L 57” exploded. Despite this failure, Captain Ludvik Bokcholt was appointed commander of the next, identically enlarged airship "L 59". It was already ready for flight on October 25. On November 3 the “L 59” took off and landed 28 hours later in Yambol, Bulgaria, where it waited quite a long time for suitable weather conditions. The first start on November 13 failed, the second, which began on November 16, was interrupted due to destruction's over Turkey - Turkish soldiers fired at the aircraft from the ground and due to a partial gas leak, the airship returned to the base. After the repair and gas filling, a favorable weather forecast was expected. Finally, the flight to Africa began on November 21. During the flight the radio station broke down, but the crew managed to repair it, and at that time an order was received from Berlin to turn back. German aid to the units in Africa was delayed. The airship turned around and landed in Yambol on November 25. The flight lasted 95 hours, covering 6,757 km at an average speed of 71 km/h. It was the first intercontinental flight in history. "L 59" remained in Yambol, where it was converted from a transporter to a bomber. After bombing Naples and Port Said, was to bomb the British base at Malta, but burned up in mid-air over the Straits of Otranto on April 7, 1918 on its 21st flight. 23 people, who flew in it, were killed.

A simple, straightforward, small airship model. It's pretty well detailed for such a small scale, with even 6 tank model details. Intended for a modeler of any experience, suitable even for someone, taking the first steps in modeling. Only such a modeler is recommended to work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague.