Parseval PL25


PL25 was a non-rigid military airship made in 1914/15 by the Luft-Fahrzeug-Gesellschaft in Bitterfeld and was the last single-gondola Parseval. It was one of the largest non-rigid airships before World War II. Its maiden flight was on 25 February 1915. It had a slim teardrop-shaped hull.

Operational history

PL25 served in the Navy, starting with 10 test flights. After 41 reconnaissance missions over the North Sea, the ship undertook 34 flights as a training ship based from Tønder.
As defence against enemy aircraft, a machine gun stand was fitted to the hull's top.
The ship was stationed from 25 March 1915 to 3 November 1915 at Tønder and from 4 November 1915 to 29 March 1916 in Fuhlsbüttel. Hauptmann Stelling and Hauptmann Manger were its commanders.
PL25 was put out of service on 30 March 1916 and dismantled in the Siemens-Hangar at Berlin-Biesdorf. PL 25 made 95 flights.