Zeppelin Staaken E.4/20 1919, 1/72nd modified vacuform

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

A model built 3 years ago, to indulge in the expressed predilection of some esteemed members on the inter-wars period.

 

The beautiful Zeppelin-Staaken E4/20 passenger four-engined monoplane was a product of the postwar (that is post-WWI war), and a very good one. Wisely or not (there were, ahem,  understandable fears, surely not appeased by the camouflage covering), the Allied commission decided it should be dismantled, so it bloomed only to be scraped.
The mind behind this innovative use of metal (in a way different than  Hugo Junkers) was Dipl. Ing. Adolph Rohrbach, later of flying boat fame.
In a way, it followed the steps of an unlikely (and unrecognized) grandfather, the Sikorsky Russky Vityaz and its successor the Illya Mourometz ( from 1913!!!!!!), very big, efficient and innovative four-engine machines used in part as commercial passenger planes.
So the Zeppelin-Staaken of 1919 was not really new or revolutionary in that regard, but it was a much modern design that took advantage of the advances in technology developed during WW1, being an all-metal, almost total cantilever monoplane. For the skeptics: it did fly, and flew well enough.
Many years would pass until such an achievement would be recognized or even copied, or re-invented, and DECADES would pass until a conceptually similar plane was designed, built and flown.

Now, the bad news: the kit:
As I opened the intact bag Lalo Schifrin's "Mission Impossible" theme started to sound in the depths of my mind.

The surface is a disaster, the plastic has dirt inclusions, the edges are ill-defined, the "panel lines" have been -unevenly- traced with a banana, some of the wheels are oval...I mean, how hard is to trace a circle?
But I am not being totally fair, this kit is not just bad: it is horrid. No interior and no accessories complete (or incomplete?) the package.

True, where else can you get a Zeppelin Staaken E4/20? Do you think Revell is going to come to the rescue? Exactly.

So we are stuck with this Frankenkit until 3D printers can be bought for twenty dollars and you can produce your own.

I have seen some built on the Net, with more or less fortune, valiant endeavors that I shall not dare to criticize. These brave souls did enough, whatever the results.

Classic Plane from Germany was the perpetrator of this...thing, many moons ago. You get your quasi-formed (the term vacu-formed would be too optimistic) plastic of decent gauge, some clear material  for the windows, a 1/72 plan that does not coincide with some parts (i.e. fuselage length, span), a page of dubious clarity with some notes. Hope and Faith are not included, and you have to provide your own.

There are redeeming qualities: the plastic has a good gauge, cuts and sands easily, glues well, and its surface admits finer sanding.
There were some changes on the plane that can be seen in contemporary photos, most noticeably: the addition of a canopy above the cockpit. The presence in some images of a nose wheel -to prevent nose over-. Some probes that appear in some photos over the nose area. Changes in the fairings of the wheel struts/shock absorbers. The door opens sideways in most photos but in other photo is shown opening downwards (associated with the canopy). A couple photos show the legend "Staaken" painted and crossed over. The wheels are seen with visible spokes or fabric-covered. There were two sort of tripods on the wings towards the wingtips. So, in order to reproduce an accurate version of the plane at any stage of its life you chose to, you must study photographs.

 

Here I give you the first 4-engine passenger-carrying monoplane built mostly of metal...in 1919.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Moa

[John Masters]

How very pretty!

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

47 minutes ago, John D.C. Masters said:

How very pretty!

Isn't it so?

Harmonious.

Also so uncharacteristic, when you consider how planes looked in 1919.

[John Masters]

I like the dual wheels...

[invidia]

Fantastic looking build considering the base kit. Interesting looking aircraft and a very modern aircraft compared to what other airliners where about at the time.

[Uncle Pete]

Despite the trials and tribulations you appear to have beaten it into submission quite handily.  Love the prose, too...Oscar Wilde meets Stephen King!

[qn30jEkPz7]

Blooming' 'eck that's nice!

[cduckworth]

I admire your ability to actually finish this kit after reading your description of the contents.  Wallpaper on the interior is a great addition!   Thanks for the write up and posting the great photos. 

[Dazey]

I love it!

[Dazey]

23 minutes ago, cduckworth said:

Wallpaper on the interior is a great addition!  

And the curtains!

[Spitfire31]

Amazing model of an amazingly forward-thinking design!

 

Kind regards,

 

Joachim

 

[Gorby]

You have shown us many astounding models of equally astounding aircraft – that got relegated to a small-print, foot-note of history. When these fabulous designers were producing such futuristic aircraft, why did we waste much of the 1920's & 1930's building conventional aircraft that wouldn't have looked out of place in WW1? Were these designs just too far out of their comfort zone, or is there more to it?

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

2 hours ago, Gorby said:

why did we waste much of the 1920's & 1930's building conventional aircraft that wouldn't have looked out of place in WW1? Were these designs just too far out of their comfort zone, or is there more to it?

That's the question that many of us ask ourselves. No doubt prejudice played a part, but in this particular case, for what I read, it seems that the case was more about fear of this sudden technological leap potentially impacting warfare (modern technology in the "wrong" hands -that would be the enemy, whomever suits you to label as such).

 

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

9 hours ago, invidia said:

Interesting looking aircraft and a very modern aircraft compared to what other airliners where about at the time.

Indeed.

Here is a contemporary passenger carrier, a conversion called Bristol Tourer. Or we could cite the also converted Handley Page passenger carrier that looked -and surely felt- like stumbling elephants:

 

 

(1/72nd, converted from the Airfix kit):

 

 

 

Edited September 25, 2018 by Moa

[Meatbox8]

It sounds from the kit that you wouldn't have been particularly upset if it had self-destructed, in Mission Impossible style, on opening the box.  Nevertheless I'm really glad you persevered.  An amazing model of an extraordinary aircraft, completely new to me I might add, that was clearly years ahead of its time.  I love your attention to detail, right down to the wall paper in the passenger cabin.  Strangely enough it actually reminds me a little of the Bristol Freighter from some angles.  Anyway, another brilliant model.

[Meatbox8]

Aaagh. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better up pops the Bristol Tourer.  Another superb build.  

[theskits62]

That is really lovely. I've been following all your recent submissions and have to say they are some of the best examples of the modelling art I've ever seen.

 

Please keep them coming, I saw the photos of them all out on the tables so know there are more where this gem came from !!

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

1 hour ago, theskits62 said:

That is really lovely. I've been following all your recent submissions and have to say they are some of the best examples of the modelling art I've ever seen.

 

Please keep them coming, I saw the photos of them all out on the tables so know there are more where this gem came from !!

You are very kind, too high a compliment, I am afraid.

As time (and the patience of this selected membership) allows, I will be posting more.

Cheers

 

[pheonix]

2 hours ago, Moa said:

 

As time (and the patience of this selected membership) allows, I will be posting more.

Cheers

 

I for one will have the patience to wait.... Two more astounding models - especially the Zeppelin Staaken. The interior details are just stunning - what a pity they are not more clearly visible on the completed model. Never mind - both models are first class in every way.

 

P

[tomthounaojam]

Outstanding work Mate!!!

[Horatio Gruntfuttock]

A stunning model of a very unusual aeroplane. Well done, again, with both the Staaken and the Tourer.

[J Sherratt]

Some wonderful modelling there, like that a lot. John

[RidgeRunner]

Another stunner, Moa

[Hobo]

Wow, I missed this post back in September. I've just seen photos of this kit and I can't believe what you've managed to do with it. Absolutely stunning. How in the world did you manage to produce such beautiful windows out of nothing?

[fjaweijfopi4j48]

43 minutes ago, Hobo said:

Wow, I missed this post back in September. I've just seen photos of this kit and I can't believe what you've managed to do with it. Absolutely stunning. How in the world did you manage to produce such beautiful windows out of nothing?

Hi Hobo

Just a strip of clear styrene or acrylic, can't remember, glued to flanges on the fuselage side (the respective area removed from the fuselage previously).

Cheers