Notes about the construction from Chris:
" The materials are balsa wood and silkspan tissue. The scale is 1:200 so it is 38.75 inches long and approx. 6 inches in diameter.
The plans I used were from the back of Doug Robinson's Zeppelin in Combat. I photographed them, placed the neg in a slide sleeve, then projected it on the wall. I calculated the proper length (1:200), then drew the plans by hand.
I created a solid balsa sheet of the ship in profile, then placed solid balsa sheet rings every 1 1/2". At the nose I spaced them closer to support the steep bend of the bow. I then placed 3/32" longerons at proper intervals. The fins are 3/32 "sheet balsa. The silkspan was then applied in lengthwise gores; one to each longitudinal. After shrinking the silkspan, I painted it with model dope, then used an airbrush with oil based enamels to give it the final coat(s). I used 1/16" masking tape to create the radial gore effect. Gondolas are all hand carved. I used Testor's Model Master paints: Dark Gull Gray and Light Ghost Gray.
For the L-31 insignia, I hand drew the letters (after multiple experiments). The local model shop has a scanner and cutter. We scanned in my drawing, sized it, then the cutter cut it out of black monokote trim. The iron cross is a stock decal. Bomb doors, gondola windows etc. are cut from monokote trim. I then coated the whole ship with Testors Dullcoat. "