On August 5th, 1908 the airship LZ4 was forced to land in Echterdingen after an engine failure. Shortly after the landing the Zeppelin was struck by a thunderstorm and was totally destroyed. A large fund raise was started after that total loss in which more than 6 million Reichsmark were donated. This enabled Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin to continue the development of his airships.
For the 100th anniversary of these events the city of Echterdingen organized the Zeppelinfest. The Zeppelin NT was visiting the area and offered sightseeing flights over Stuttgart which took off from the Stuttgart airport.
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| 07-18 15:29 - Zeppelin hovering over the fairgrounds waiting for landing clearance at Stuttgart airport. | 07-18 16:35 - One of Stuttgart's landmarks: the TV tower by architect Fritz Leonhardt which was built 1956. | 07-18 16:42 - Holding position for landing while the airliners are taking off. | 07-18 17:23 - Johannes Church at Stuttgart Feuersee. |
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| 07-18 17:49 - Concentration is necessary during the approach to Stuttgart airport. | 07-18 18:19 - Great view of the apron while the Zeppelin is taking off. | 07-18 18:52 - Stuttgart city center. | 07-18 18:55 - Mercedes-Benz museum and test track in the adjacent Mercedes factory Untertuerkheim. |
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| 07-18 19:13 - Stuttgart faiground next to the airport with the parking garages spanning over the Autobahn. | 07-18 19:13 - An unusual approach for landing - across the runway. | 07-18 19:14 - Final approach to the landing site - the heli pad south of the runway. | 07-18 19:15 - Passengers for the next flight are ready. |
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| 07-18 19:20 - Crossing the runway right after takeoff. | 07-18 19:24 - Flying over the Daimler corporate headquarter in Moehringen. | 07-18 19:33 - Circling the castle Solitude. | 07-18 19:43 - Approaching Stuttgart city center from Feuerbach/Killesberg. |
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| 07-18 20:05 - Sillenbuch in nice evening colors after a short rainfall. | 07-18 20:24 - Brave girls looking straight down from the back seat. | 07-18 20:36 - Evening sun illuminating the city center through a cloud hole. | 07-18 21:08 - Finishing the flights of this day with a low pass over the runway. |
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| 07-19 10:56 - Too much wind means "STOP" for all Zeppelin flights today. |
