Roland Rohlfs (February 10, 1892 – February 28, 1974) was an American aviator.

Roland Rohlfs
Roland Rohlfs on September 18, 1919
Born(1892-02-10)February 10, 1892
DiedFebruary 28, 1974(1974-02-28) (aged 82)
OccupationAviator
EmployerCurtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company
Known forAviation speed and altitude records
ParentAnna Katharine Green (mother) Charles Rohlfs (father)

Biography

edit

Roland Rohlfs was born in Buffalo, New York on February 10, 1892, the son of Anna Katharine Green, the crime novelist; and Charles Rohlfs, the actor and furniture craftsman.[1]

Rohlfs flew a hydro-aeroplane called the "Dunkirk Fighter" for Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in 1918. Later that year he broke the flight airspeed record while flying a Curtiss Wasp, his speed was clocked at 163.1 mph (262.4 km/h).

In 1919 he broke another world record when he flew to an altitude of 34,610 feet in a Curtiss L-3 triplane (at - 47 degrees Fahrenheit).[2]

He died on February 28, 1974.[3]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. Who's Who in American Aeronautics. Aviation Publishing Corporation. 1922. p. 89. Retrieved July 20, 2020 via Google Books.
  2. "Rohlfs Makes New Record. Climbs 19,500 Feet in 9 Minutes 42 2-5 Seconds". New York Times. September 20, 1919.
  3. "Roland Rohlfs SSDI Records". NewspaperArchive. Retrieved July 20, 2020.