Aircraft

Rohrbach Ro.VIII Roland

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A the three engined version of the Farman Jabiru, the first flight was by D-991 (Werk Nr 18) on the 5th September 1926. It went to Iberia, as M-CAAC, later that year along with the second aircraft D-999 (Werk Nr 19) identified as M-CBBB. Both these aircraft were Mark I and were used on the Madrid – Barcelona route until August 1928 when they were returned to DHL. Six examples were operated by Deutsche Luft Hansa

There were effectively three marks: I, Ia, and II.

The Ia and II used the BMW Va engine, the Roland II of 1929 having an increased wing span of 26.3m and a maximum take off weight of 6615kg (14553lb). The maximum speed was increased to 225km/h (140 mph), the service ceiling was increased from 4,300m to 4,600m (15,100 ft). Both types were high-wing tri-motor monoplanes

A total of 18 of all models was produced with some flying well into the late 1930’s.

The last to be produced (Roland II Werk Nr50) was later registered D-ANAX. It was used by DLH until 1934 and then went to DVS.

Ro VIII Roland
Engine: 3 x BMW IV, 239kW
Max take-off weight: 5265 kg / 11607 lb
Wingspan: 26.0 m / 85 ft 4 in
Length: 16.3 m / 54 ft 6 in
Height: 4.5 m / 15 ft 9 in
Wing area: 88.0 sq.m / 947.22 sq ft
Max. speed: 195 km/h / 121 mph
Ceiling: 4600m
Range w/max.payload: 925 km / 575 miles
Crew: 2
Passengers: 10

Rohrbach Ro VIII Roland

Rohrbach Ro.V Rocco

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Werk Nr 26 was flown by Severa GmbH for comparison flights with the Dornier Super Wal, then latter as a seaplane trainer.

The one aircraft was built in 1927, and was used by Lufthansa between 21st May and 15th June 1928 for 47 flights between Travemunde and Oslo via Copenhagen and Gothenburg after this it was delivered to the Erpobungstelle at Travemunde.

Ro V Rocco
Engines: 2 x Rolls-Royce Condor, 480kW
Wingspan: 26.0 m / 85 ft 4 in
Length: 19.3 m / 63 ft 4 in
Height: 6.7 m / 22 ft 0 in
Wing area: 94.0 sq.m / 1011.81 sq ft
Max take-off weight: 9600 kg / 21164 lb
Empty weight: 5990 kg / 13206 lb
Max. speed: 220 km/h / 137 mph
Cruise speed: 168 km/h / 104 mph
Ceiling: 3150 m / 10350 ft
Range w/max.fuel: 2400 km / 1491 miles
Crew: 3
Passengers: 10

Rohrbach Ro V Rocco

Rohrbach

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Rohrbach Metall Flugzeugbau GmbH
Rohrbach-Metall-Aeroplane Co A/S

Rohrbach Metall Flugzeugbau GmbH was founded in 1922 by Dr. Ing. Rohrbach to continue construction and development of all-metal aircraft designed by him when working previously with the Zeppelin company. Associated company, Rohrbach-Metall-Aeroplane Co A/S, formed in Copenhagen to avoid limitations imposed on construction in Germany.

Built ten Ro-ll seaplanes for Japanese Navy and Ro-IIIA for Turkey, followed by Rodra twin-engine flying-boat and Rofix single-seat fighter. Copenhagen plant closed in late 1920s when restrictions on German manufacture were lifted. German factory continued flying-boat and landplane construction, including Roland three-engined 10-passenger monoplane.

In April 1934 Weser Flugzeugbau GmbH took over the company and Dr. Rohrbach became technical director of Weser.

Rohr 2-175

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In 1974, Rohr Chairman Burt Raynes resolved to move Rohr into the light airplane market by summoning Walt Mooney as designer and project manager to come up with a quantum leap in light aircraft technology. Mooney selected the best people Rohr had, including key players Bill Chana, Bob Fronius, Mike Voydisch, and Don Westergren, and built three airframes; two flying prototypes and a static tester, plus 1/10- and 1/2-scale models for feasibility tests.

Fiberglass-reinforced plastic honeycomb construction. Sparless folding wings and vertical tail for storage in an average one-car garage. Goodrich Aerostructures Group was a contract manufacturer of engine cowlings and pylons.

A shortage of funds precluded further development. By the time the project ended (for reasons having nothing to do with the merits of the airplane), one prototype had accumulated 23 hours in the air.

Engine: 150hp Lycoming special high-rpm (4400rpm)
Prop: four-blade ducted-fan pusher prop plus a six-blade stator
Wingspan: 30’0″
Length: 28’0″
Gross weight: 1450 lb
Seats: 2