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Airship Number Hansa (LZ13)

The airships of the Zeppelin Company were cigar-shaped, with the maximum diameter being reached at one-eighth of the overall length. The diameter stays constant to about the last one-eighth of the ship’s length, where it reduces to the tail.  The ship is a “rigid airship” in that it has an aluminum, or duralumin, skeleton and a keel along the bottom, from which all of the ship’s weight was carried – crew, gondolas, ordnance, ballast, fuel, radio, etc.

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Airship NumberHansa (LZ13)
ManufacturerZeppelin Company
Military BranchArmy
Assigned Base(s)Gotha, Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin, Jüterbog, Fuhlsbûttel
Beginning Service DateApril 25, 1912
Last Service DateAugust 1, 1914
Postal MarkingMP A second, different type from the previous entry
Dispatch TypePersonal
Value$$

Notes

A civilian ship transporting passengers prior to the war for the Zeppelin Company, it was brought into the military inventory and used as a training ship.  The passenger comforts, including seating and interior decor, were removed.  The passenger cabin, with viewing windows, is shown in the photo.  It is uncommon for a posted card to bear both the ship's photo and the matching KOMMANDO postal marking.

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