Rohrbach Ro IX

The Rohrbach Ro IX was a German all‑metal twin‑engine transport and reconnaissance aircraft built in the late 1920s by the company of Adolf Rohrbach, a pioneer of stressed‑skin construction. Developed from the earlier Ro III and Ro V models, the Ro IX first flew in 1927 and was intended to serve both civilian airlines and the Reichswehr for light cargo and photographic scouting. Its 32‑foot (9.8 m) wingspan and streamlined fuselage were covered with riveted duralumin panels, a technique that gave the aircraft superior strength and reduced weight compared to contemporary wood‑frame types. Powered by two 450 hp BMW IIIa straight‑six engines mounted on the wing leading edges, the Ro IX could reach a maximum speed of 165 km/h, a service ceiling of 5,500 m, and a range of roughly 800 km. The cockpit accommodated a pilot and co‑pilot, while the cabin could hold up to six passengers or a camera crew with vertical and oblique lenses. Though only a handful were produced, the Ro IX demonstrated the practical advantages of all‑metal construction and influenced later German designs such as the Junkers Ju 52. Its legacy lies in proving that metal airframes could be reliable, economical, and adaptable for both commercial and military roles.

Adolf Rohrbach

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