Rohrbach Ro VIII Roland

Rohrbach Ro VIII Roland

Rohrbach Roland was the first commercial aircraft created directly for the German LuftHans. It was designed by Adolf Rohrbach, who drew attention to himself by designing a large Zeppelin-Staaken E.4/20 from 1920. ( prototype of this very modern aircraft had to be destroyed by decision of the Allied Control Commission) Kurt Tank was also very well known in the team of its designers. It was a monoplane in a high-altitude configuration for two pilots and ten passengers. It was powered by three BMW IV engines, from version Ia to BMW Va engines. He was flown by pilot Hermann Steindorff on September 5, 1926 over Berlin-Tempelhof Airport. At the end of 1926, the first Roland (D-991, M-CAAC) was delivered to the Aérea de Transportes, serving on the Madrid-Barcelona route. A total of 4 planes traveled to Spain, 3 of which were later bought by DLH back to Germany. In 1927, during one flight over the Alps, the disadvantages of the open cockpit of the pilots proved to be true, and later all the aircraft were retrofitted with a glass cockpit. Otherwise, it was a very successful design, which is why DHL ordered additional aircraft (versions Ia and II). In 1929, a version of Roland II appeared, which had an increased range, more powerful engines and other minor modifications. Lufhansa used these aircraft to fly to London, Copenhagen, Vienna and Zurich.


1. Roland I

2. Roland II

source: www.eads.net