Pioneer-class zeppelin

The Pioneer class zeppelin, also known as the Type 4 class was the first type of rigid airship developed by Greckaf subsequent to the assessment of abandoned One class zeppelins left by the Kaiserlich Marine during their withdrawl from Uthen in 1919. Two specimens of the type, commissioned into the Greckaf airfleet as ASCK Pioneer and ASCK Explorer, were launched in 1926. The two ships of the class saw extensive use in transport and surveyor duties across the northern hemisphere, and were ultimately retired in 1938.

Background
A solitary One class zeppelin existed in the Royal Isen Airfleet following the withdrawl of Aerah forces in 1919, and following reconstruction where her armor was removed was commissioned into the reorganzied Greckaf in 1922 as ASCK Navigator. Technical support from Aerah was understandably minimal following the socialist reorganization of the kingdoms, and similarly overtures to purchase copies of the Koressan Shannon class zeppelins fell on deaf ears. The newly organize Greckaf sought to further experiment with use of airships for transportation and reconnaissaince duties, and ultimately ordered the Pioneer class design to facilitate these tests.

Design and Development
The Pioneer class were designed as a generalistic all purpose airship. Accordingly, the type was considered as a jack-of-all trades design, and featured a wide spread of capabilities for testing; Pioneer and Explorer both standardly carried a single Hermes He-1 courierplane to deliver mail and supplies and ferry personnel to the zeppelins when docking was otherwise infeasible, while still permitting considerable cargo to be transported. As a military design, provisions for five machine guns were included as well for defensive purposes. Furthermore, both designs were equiped to deploy spybaskets, intended to assist with navigation at low altitudes in clouds.

In contrast to Navigator, the Stattairship bureau increased rib integrity in order to further improve the type's robustness. This proved to be a degree of foresight, as October 1925 saw Navigator crash off of Nordburg during an early winter storm, leaving the airfleet sans airships unil February 1926.

ASCK Pioneer
1926 Maiden voyage and testing

1927 Trans Nordenian flight

1928 Trans Nord-Emihst flight

1929 Polar flight

1930 Central-Emihst tour

ASCK Explorer
1926 Maiden voyage and testing

1927 Lake Hephaestus Territorial Park project

1936 Lake Brumal project

1937 Grottpit Mine project

Retired 1938

General characteristics

 * Crew: 21
 * Length: 644 ft
 * Diameter: 78 ft
 * Powerplant: 5 × Stattuuorks Type 6 liquid inline V12 engines, 850hp each

Performance


 * Maximum speed: 73mph
 * Endurance: 3,600 miles
 * Usefull lift: 44,000 lbs

Armament


 * Guns:
 * 5 × 7.92 mm (Machine guns)