Rohrbach Ro.III Rodra
Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau · Germany · first flew 1925 · airliner
The Rohrbach Ro.III Rodra was a German three-engine all-metal flying boat developed in the mid-1920s by Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau, a company pioneering stressed-skin metal aircraft construction. It was designed for commercial passenger operations over water.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 3 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 17.2 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- German all-metal high-wing flying boat of the mid-1920s
- Three engines mounted on and above the high wing, Rohrbach stressed-skin metal construction
- Boat hull with wing-tip floats and prominent corrugated or smooth metal skin
An all-metal high-wing flying boat with three engines—one above the fuselage and one under each wing—smooth or lightly corrugated metal skin, and a broad planing hull distinguishing it from contemporary fabric-covered flying boats.
Specifications
- The Rohrbach Ro.III Rodra has a length of 17.2 m (56 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 27.55 m (90 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 195 km/h (121 mph).
- Typical crew: 3 + passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Rohrbach was an innovator in metal aircraft construction, and the Ro.III demonstrated the potential of all-metal flying boats for civil aviation. The aircraft flew in 1925 and was evaluated for airline use, though the small number built limited its commercial impact.
Variants
Very limited production; minor variants with different engine configurations were studied.
Where you'll see it
Evaluated by German and possibly other operators for overwater passenger routes; not adopted in significant numbers.
Related aircraft
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