Summary
The Pitcairn PA-19 was a four-seat autogyro developed in the United States in the early 1930s.[1] While most of Pitcairn's autogyro designs featured open cockpits in tandem, the PA-19 had a fully enclosed cabin.[2][3] It also had wings that carried control surfaces.[2] The rotor provided lift only, but could be tilted in flight to trim the aircraft.[4] Four examples were built before the effects of the Great Depression forced Pitcairn to abandon autogyro production in 1934.[2][4]
| PA-19 | |
|---|---|
| Role | Utility autogyro |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Picairn |
| Designer | Robert Noorduyn |
| First flight | September 1932 |
| Number built | 5 |
Henry Latham Doherty purchased one to promote his "Florida Year-Round Clubs", while the Guinness Brewery purchased two. Colonel Robert L. Montgomery purchased one to commute between his homes, and Pitcairn Aviation kept one as a demonstrator.[5]
Specifications edit
Data from "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen"
General characteristics
- Crew: One pilot
- Capacity: 3-4 passengers
- Length: 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m)
- Wingspan: 38 ft 8 in (11.79 m)
- Powerplant: 1 × Wright R-975-E2 , 420 hp (310 kW)
- Main rotor diameter: 50 ft 8 in (15.44 m)
- Main rotor area: 2,014 sq ft (187.2 m2)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 120 mph (190 km/h, 100 kn)
- Range: 350 mi (560 km, 300 nmi)
References edit
- Notes
- ^ Taylor 1989, p.735
- ^ a b c The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft, p.2739
- ^ "Autogiro With Two Rudders And Four Place Cabin", January 1933, Popular Mechanics rare photo of PA-19
- ^ a b "Archimedes Museum Photo Gallery"
- ^ Smith, Frank (1981). Legacy of Wings; The Harold F. Pitcairn Story. New York: Jason Aronson, Inc. pp. 212–216. ISBN 0876684851.
- Bibliography
- "Archimedes Museum Photo Gallery". Archimedes Rotorcraft & V/STOL Museum website (cached copy). Mentone, Indiana: Archimedes Rotorcraft & V/STOL Museum. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- "Pitcairn, A G A, Pitcairn-Cierva, Pitcairn-Larsen". Aerofiles. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
- The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Aircraft. London: Aerospace Publishing.
- Taylor, Michael J. H. (1989). Jane's Encyclopedia of Aviation. London: Studio Editions.