Rohrbach Ro XI Rostra

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Ro XI Rostra
Rohrbach Rostra Aero Digest May 1929.jpg
Role Flying boat mail plane
National originGermany
Manufacturer Rohrbach
First flight30 October 1928
Number built1

The Rohrbach Ro XI Rostra was a flying boat built in Germany in 1928 for use as a transatlantic mail plane. [1]

Contents

Design and development

The Ro XI shared the same general configuration its predecessor, the Ro V Rocco: a conventional, high-wing flying boat with cruciform empennage and two engines mounted tractor-fashion in nacelles mounted on struts above the wing. The flight deck and cabin were fully enclosed. However, while the Rocco's wings had been braced by struts, the Rostra's wings were a fully cantilever design. [1] The aircraft featured a set of masts and sails that could be deployed for extended travel on water in the event of a forced landing. [2]

By late 1928, Philadelphia journalist Mildred Johnson was organising an east-to-west transatlantic flight aboard the Rostra, initially with three other passengers, [3] but later as the sole passenger. [4] In middle of 1929, the Rostra made a preliminary 1,760 km (1,090 mi) round trip between Travemünde and Stockholm carrying ten passengers, and a longer-range flight to Iceland was planned. [5]

Specifications

Rohrbach Ro XI Rostra 3-view drawing from L'Aerophile November,1928 Rohrbach Ro XI Rostra 3-view L'Aerophile November,1928.png
Rohrbach Ro XI Rostra 3-view drawing from L'Aérophile November,1928

Data fromRohrbach Ro XI Rostra - Histaviation [6]

General characteristics

Performance

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions. p. 768.
  2. "unknown". Air Progress: 78. October 1971.{{cite journal}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  3. "New Atlantic Flight Proposed". Flight : 959. 1 November 1928. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
  4. "Rohrbach 'Rostra' Under Test". Flight : 1038. 6 December 1928. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
  5. "Giant Flying Boat Tested". New York Times . 14 August 1929. p. 3. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
  6. "Rohrbach Ro XI 'Rostra'". German Aviation 1919–1945. Retrieved 2009-01-31.