A Comparison of the Major differences between the

hindenburg and the

Graf Zeppelin
D-LZ129 D-LZ130

A set of Technical Drawings comparing the Passenger Airships Hindenburg And Graf Zeppelin (II)

Drawings by David Fowler

©2009 by David Fowler
Unauthorized reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.
Front Elevation

The hindenburg The Graf Zeppelin (II)

Feet 0 10 20 30 40 50
© 2009 by David Fowler

Meters 0 5 10 15
Passenger Areas
Dining Area Passenger Cabins Keel Corridor

Ring 188
Observation Windows
Officers’ Mess
Observation Windows Smoking Room
Reading Room
Kitchen Purser’s Cabin

Dumbwaiter to Bar
Serving Pantry Serving Pantry
Airlock
Passenger Lounge
Crew’s Mess

Shower Passengers’ Lavatories

Promenade Promenade Lavatory Stairway to “A” Deck
Embarking/Disembarking Gangway

Ring 173
“A” Deck “B” Deck
Stairways to “B” Deck
The hindenburg Accomidations for 52 Passengers
(increased to 72 passengers in 1937)

“B” Deck “C” Deck

Ring 188
Observation Windows
"Bridge" over Keel Corridor
Passenger Cabins
Observation Windows "Luxury" Cabins
"Bridge" over Keel Corridor
Smoking Lounge
Stairway to “B” Deck Stairway to “B” Deck
Stairway to “C” Deck Writing Tables
Embarking/Disembarking Gangway
Office Kitchen
Stairway to “C” Deck Passengers’ Lavatories
Serving Pantry
Promenade Officers’ Mess
Crew’s Mess
Promenade Dining Area Keel Corridor

Ring 173

“A” Deck “D” Deck

The Graf Zeppelin (II) Feet 0 10 20 30 40 50
Accomidations for 40 Passengers
© 2009 by David Fowler

Meters 0 5 10 15
 Gas Vent
Pressure Relief Valve

Bulkhead Bracing Wires

Passenger Areas
Axial Corridor

Ring 173
Hull Fabric Covering Ladder Shaft
to Axial Corridor
Ring 188
Passenger Area
Drinking Water

Maneuvering Valve
Passenger Area

“A” Deck Observation Windows Pressure Relief Valve

Extension for Passenger Area Promenade

“B” Deck Windows Axial Corridor Keel Corridor

Embarking/
The hindenburg Disembarking
Gangway
Ladder Shaft
to Axial Corridor

Passenger Area
Drinking Water

"A" Deck
Dining Area

"B" Deck
“B” Deck Observation Windows Passenger Area
"B" Deck
Passenger Area Extension for Passenger Area Promenade
"C" Deck Windows
Embarking/Disembarking Gangway
“D” Deck Windows Keel Corridor "C" Deck Passenger Area

"D" Deck Crew Mess

Feet 0 10 20 30 40 50
The Graf Zeppelin (II)
Meters 0 5 10 15 © 2009 by David Fowler
Passenger Areas

Dining Room

Passenger Area Passenger Area

"C" Deck
Passenger Cabins

Kitchen
Embarking/ Kitchen
Disembarking Crew’s Mess Officer’s Mess
Gangway Officer’s Mess

Gas Cell No. XII Gas Cell No. XII

Frame No. 173 188 Frame No. 173 188

The hindenburg The Graf Zeppelin (II)

Feet 0 10 20 30 40 50

Meters 0 5 10 15 © 2009 by David Fowler

Engine Car

The hindenburg The Graf Zeppelin (II)

4 Engine Cars, "Pusher" (propeller in back) type 4 Engine Cars, "Tractor" (propeller in front) type
Forward Engine Cars mounted 4° outward from ship’s axis Forward Engine Cars mounted 4° outward from ship’s axis
Aft Engine Cars mounted at 3° outward from ship’s axis Aft Engine Cars mounted at 3° outward from ship’s axis

Engine specifications: Engine Cars included Exhaust Water Recovery system

Daimler Benz LOF 6 diesel
V16, 4 valve per cylinder Engine specifications:
770 kW (1050 hp) maximum at 1500 rpm Daimler Benz LOF 6 diesel
690 kW (940 hp) cruising at 1350 rpm V16, 4 valve per cylinder
225 g/kWh (0.37 lbs./hp/h) fuel consumption (cruising) 770 kW (1050 hp) maximum at 1500 rpm
690 kW (940 hp) cruising at 1350 rpm
Propeller diameter: 6.0 meters (19.7 feet) 225 g/kWh (0.37 lbs./hp/h) fuel consumption (cruising)
Propeller rpm (cruising): 625 rpm
Maximum air speed: 137 kph (85 mph)
Cruising air speed: 120 kph (75 mph) Feet 0 10 20 30 40 50

Meters 0 5 10 15 © 2009 by David Fowler

Tail Structure
Both Airships: Main Ring construction of the Tail Fins is braced through
the hull to the opposing Fin by the Tail Fin Cruciform Structure

Main Ribs constructed using triangular girders;

Intermediate ribs constructed using flat girders

Rudder/Elevator Hinge Rudder/Elevator Hinge

60 cm

3 Main Ribs
Main Ribs 3
2b 2c
2b
2a 2a
2 2
1b 1c
1b
1a 1a

1 1

0b 0b

0a 0a

0 0

Ring 20 Ring 33.5 Ring 47 Ring 20 Ring 33.5 Ring 47

Tests showed that most of the stress was on the leading edge of the fin, so the intermediate
ribs were reduced in number from the center to the trailing edge to save weight.

The hindenburg The Graf Zeppelin (II)

Feet 0 10 20 30 40 50

Meters 0 5 10 15 © 2009 by David Fowler

Landing Wheels

The hindenburg The Graf Zeppelin (II)

Feet 0 5 10 15

Meters 0 1 2 3 4 5 © 2009 by David Fowler