Franz-Zeno Diemer

Franz Zeno Diemer (3 July 1889, in Oberammergau – 27 April 1954, in Friedrichshafen) was a flight pioneer in Bavaria, setting a number of world records, and Flight Officer for Bavarian Lifeguard Regiment.

Franz Zeno Diemer
Born1889
Oberammergau, Bavaria, German Empire
Died1954 (aged 64–65)
Friedrichshafen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany
NationalityGermany German
Known forBMW test pilot, setting numerous world records 1917-1920
Aviation career
Flight license1912
Bavaria
Air forceBavarian Lifeguard Regiment; flight regiment Bogohl 8
RankFlight Officer

Early life

He was born in Oberammergau, Bavaria, the son of the painter, Michael Zeno Diemer and his wife, Hermine (née Von Hillern), eldest daughter of the writer, Wilhelmine von Hillern. Trained as an engineer, in 1912 he joined the Bavarian Lifeguard Regiment, at that time a flying squadron. He was a member of "Bogohl 8" (the bomber squadron operated by the Senior Military Command) with the rank of Flying Officer.

In July 1921 he joined Dornier in Friedrichshafen as a test pilot and for trial flying of new aircraft. In 1922, after Dornier's move to Marina di Pisa Italy, he worked as a test pilot, head of the aerodynamics department and manager of the advertising department. From 1935 on he worked exclusively as manager of the advertising department and was editor in chief of the company newspaper "Dornier-Post" which appeared from the autumn of 1935 until July 1938.

From August 1939 to the end 1944, he was in the German Air Force, but post World War II he rejoined Dornier and assumed charge of the suggestions scheme, retiring in March 1946.

Functions at BMW
BMW IVa- This engine set the World Altitude record in 1919 by Franz Zeno Diemer

Test pilot for BMW.

On 17 June 1919[1] he flew a DFW F37[2][note 1] powered by a BMW IV engine to an unofficial world record height of 9,760 m (32,021 ft)[1][3] from Oberwiesenfeld,[1] reaching that altitude in 89 min.[3]

On 13 September 1919 he set a world altitude record for a passenger aircraft (8 people on board, 6,750 m (22,146 ft)) in a Junkers F.13 powered by a BMW IIIa aircraft engine (the pilot, however, may have been Moes).[4]

Later in Life

Died in Friedrichshafen.

See also

Notes
  1. Lewin identifies the aircraft only as "the DFW airframe", while Norbye claims it was "a wartime Fokker biplane".

References
  1. Norbye, Jan P. (1984). BMW - Bavaria's Driving Machines. Skokie, IL, USA: Publications International. p. 15. ISBN 0-517-42464-9. LCCN 84060309. He made a second trial on June 17, climbing to a full 9760 meters (32,535 feet) and setting a new world altitude record.
  2. "BMW Group Classic: 9760 METERS, MINUS 50 DEGREES, LITTLE OXYGEN – WORLD RECORD: THE FIRST HIGH FLIGHT FOR BMW". www.bmwgroup-classic.com. Retrieved 2023-07-05.
  3. Lewin, Tony (2004). "The racing line". The Complete Book of BMW: Every Model since 1950. St. Paul, MN USA: Motorbooks International. p. 145. ISBN 0-7603-1951-0. Retrieved 2014-05-24. Flown by a Bavarian, Flight Lieutenant Zeno Diemer, the four-valve-per cylinder, straight-six power unit carried the DFW airframe to a world altitude record of more than six miles (9,760 metres) in 89 minutes
  4. BMW Historical Archives
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