Zeppelin LZ 17

LZ 17 Sachsen was a Type H improved Schwaben-class Zeppelin that first flew on May 3, 1913. Initially operated by DELAG as a passenger airship until World War I, it carried 9,837 people across 419 flights, primarily offering sightseeing tours between cities like Dresden, Leipzig, and Hamburg. With the outbreak of war in August 1914, LZ 17 was commandeered by the Imperial German Army, equipped with bomb racks for up to 3,000 kg of bombs and machine guns. It participated in raids on Antwerp but proved unsuitable for the western front, leading to its transfer to Allenstein in early 1915 for smaller-scale operations against targets like Białystok.

Following damage during a landing, LZ 17 was shortened to 148 meters, reducing its capacity to 7,400 kg and enhancing engine performance. Renamed LZ 17A, it joined the Imperial German Navy at Königsberg but was decommissioned in 1916. Despite this, it remained one of Germany's most successful small airships. Its specifications included a crew of 20, a length of 158 meters, a diameter of 14.6 meters, and a volume of 19,500 cubic meters. Equipped with three Maybach B-Y engines producing 123 kW each, it had a maximum speed of 76 km/h and a range of 2,300 km. Armament consisted of machine guns and the ability to carry up to 3,600 kg of bombs. Notable captains included Hugo Eckener, Ernst A. Lehmann, and Georg Hacker.