Graf Zeppelin Statistics

Graf Zeppelin profile, showing rings, gas cells, and major elements. (click all photos to enlarge)

Graf Zeppelin profile, showing rings, gas cells, and major elements. (click all photos to enlarge)

LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin statistics:

  • Length: 776 feet
  • Diameter: 100 feet
  • Gas capacity: 3,707,550 cubic feet (2,648,585 cu. hydrogen for lift, 1,059,435 cu. Blaugas for fuel)
  • Lift: 191,799 lbs
  • Speed: 80 MPH
  • Main Powerplant: 5 Maybach VL-2 12-cylinder engines (550 HP Takeoff, 450 HP Cruise)
  • Crew: 36 officers and crew
  • Passengers: 20 sleeping berths
  • First flight: September 18, 1928
  • Final flight: June 18, 1937
  • Total flight hours: 17,177
  • Total flights: 590
  • Total people carried: 34,000
  • Paying passengers carried: 13,110

The size and shape of LZ-127 was not ideal aerodynamically, structurally, or economically, but it was the best that could be achieved within the limitations of the hangar at Friedrichshafen.

Relative sizes of LZ-11 Viktoria Luise, LZ-120 Bodensee, LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin. and LZ-129 Hindenburg

Relative sizes of LZ-11 Viktoria Luise, LZ-120 Bodensee, LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin. and LZ-129 Hindenburg

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Simon Yates
Simon Yates

What was the most aerodynamic, economic, and structural design of large zeppelins? And also I have seen many pictures of the Graf Zeppelin with a large spherical object beneath the gondola. Was that a device used to help the zeppelin land safely on water?

Warren Osborn
Warren Osborn

I haven’t seen a photo of the device but I suspect it’s some type of spotting device. It lowers down through clouds to get bearings. My only knowledge of their use is during WWI. I also suspect that you saw it in a WWI film or photo. Otherwise it would… Read more »

Hannah
Hannah

Those were called cloud cars, and you are spot-on regarding what they were for! The Graf, however, was designed for civilian use and was not equipped with one to my knowledge.

Hannah
Hannah

I believe it was a bumper of some kind, to prevent damage to the gondola when landing. I think I remember reading that the bumper was added to the Graf after her lower stabilizer was damaged when being handled on the ground.

Wyat Robins
Wyat Robins

Hello Dan, I love your site so much, as I have loved airships since the age of five. I have a question though, how much square footage was the gondola, carrying the passengers?

Jonathan Halsey
Jonathan Halsey

I just found a postcard of the GZ postmarked May 1930 addressed to my Grandfather!

David Winfrey
David Winfrey

Can you tell me whether Graf Zeppelin ever landed at Lakehurst bearing the swastika? (i.e., after Oct. 1933)?

Marcus Hall
Marcus Hall

Dear Dan, A fascinating site. My question concerns ‘dirigible lag’ for these floating ships. Since a typical transatlantic flight required just two or three days, presumably passengers woke up at their destinations pretty off their time zone. Do you know of any good material mentioning ”passenger fatigue” –say– during these… Read more »

Wyatt Corrigan
Wyatt Corrigan

Hey Dan, it’s obvious you know your stuff. I’m preparing a project for a high school history class and I need to know the top speed of a zeppelin, but I can’t seem to get any good search results. If you have the time, could you help me out?

Ted Sheridan
Ted Sheridan

Your Hindenbrug size & statistics page is showing the Graf Zeppelin information.

Manuel
Manuel

Hello, i am trying to reconstruct the gondola of lz 127 for an vr experience. and i need color information for the interior. is there any footage out there? thank you for helping

Hunter
Hunter

Wow 4 years ago, well if you do get this, I hope your VR experience was great and I figure you could find something on youtube.

Malcolm Mehr
Malcolm Mehr

So exactly why was the Lz-127 Graf Zeppelin and Lz-129 Hindenburg built. Was to promont the power that Germany had in technology at the time or what? The website helps a lot. I have to make a postcard for a art class and it has to have a prominent company… Read more »

Eileen N
Eileen N

My late father gave me a walking cane which he said was made from a zeppelin propeller, I don’t know who made it or where he acquired it, I didn’t know they had propellors until I checked your website.