Inventors

The Planes: 1931 Pitcairn Autogiro

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Dimensions:
Length: 23';
Wingspan: 30' 1";
Rotor Diameter: 45';
Weight (empty): 2,100 lbs.

Construction Materials: Welded steel tube and fabric fuselage; wood (ash and spruce) and fabric wings
Builder: Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro Company, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania
Cost: $15,000
Number Built: 30
Engine Type: Wright Whirlwind, 9-cylinder, 300-horsepower, radial, air-cooled internal combustion engine
Engine Builder: Wright Aeronautical Company, Dayton, Ohio
Configuration: 1-pilot/2-passenger autogiro
Maximum Speed: 120 m.p.h.
Maximum Range: 290 miles

The Detroit News Autogiro
This plane took aerial photos for the Detroit News. The log book includes visits to fairs and expositions all around the area – it might have made more news than it recorded.

The main safety feature of the Autogiro was that you could navigate to the ground even if you stalled out. But it still took skill to land safely.


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