Roland Rohlfs

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

Biography

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

• History of aviation

References

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.