In the fall of 1917 “altitude” motors were developed, larger and having supercompression. They did not develop full power at sea level but instead functioned normally at 10,000 feet altitude above sea level. They, moreover, gave ample power higher than that. They speeded up the Zeppelins to 70.5 miles per hour (31.5 meters per second).
The Zeppelin company built thirty-six ships of this type ([Plate 10]-L43), from 1916 to 1918; and they were used by the army and navy. The British R-34, which crossed the Atlantic in 1919, was an exact duplicate of the Zeppelin L-30 type.
Zeppelin Vision of World Transport
Count Zeppelin was working on his post-war plans for commercial aerial transport when he died in March, 1917. His latest ships had demonstrated their worth as cargo carriers, not only in war but in peace. Before hostilities commenced he had seen thousands of passengers carried in his Zeppelins. An account of these operations will be found in [Chapter III].
Zeppelin Giant Seaplane Built at Potsdam Plant, 1917.
Zeppelin-Dornier Twin (Tandem) Motored All Metal Commercial Flying Boat, 1919.