FS2002 - Rohrbach Ro-VIIIb Roland-II
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Stephan Scholz - January 2005
INSTALLATION
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1.- Unzip "Rolnd2k2.zip" into a temporary folder
2.- Move the folder "Roland" into the FS2002 Aircraft directory.
3.- Unzip "Gauges.zip" into the FS2002 gauges directory.
THE REAL AIRCRAFT
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The Rohrbach Ro-VIIIb Roland-II was a very successful land based aircraft for its time, built by Rohrbach Metall-Flugzeugbau GmbH, Berlin, pioneers in all-metal aircraft construction.
It was a three-engined high-winged taildragger with two engines in wing-nacelles and one in the nose. On the ground, its charismatic low fuselage allowed access into the passenger cabin without the necessity of stairs. The design was very successful, and a total of 26 Roland planes were built.
The first Roland models appeared in 1927. Six Ro-VIII Roland-I, and eight Ro-VIIIa Roland-I were built, with open cockpit and three 230 Hp BMW VI engines. They were used by Deutsche Luft Hansa and by Iberia in Spain for passenger and mail transport.
Twelve units of the later variant, Ro-VIIIb Roland-II, were built in 1929. They were equipped with more powerful 320 Hp BMW Va engines and an enclosed cockpit, and had 30 cm greater wingspan. Its peculiar cockpit windows were designed to allow the pilot a view of the ground.
THE VIRTUAL AIRCRAFT
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The model depicted in this release is the Rohrbach Ro-VIIIb Roland-II "Freienfels", registration D-1727 D-AXEV, which was used by DLH until 1935, and later given to RLM.
The model has been built with Abacus Aircraft Factory 99 and animated with Abacus Aircraft Animator (props, ailerons, elevator, and rudders).
Construction is based on 3-view drawings, photos and information from the Internet:
Virtual Aviation Museum
Luftfahrtgeschichte.com
Histaviaiton.com /Rohrbach html.
FLIGHT DYNAMICS
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Originally written by Christoph Ruhtenberg for FS98, with the necessary FS2002 adjustments by myself, to fit the aircraft´s behaviour to the specifications. There is of course room for improvement, and I will wellcome any suggestions.
Rotation: 62 Kt.
Take-off: 76 Kt.
Rate of climb: 600 ft/min.
Cruising speed: 97 Kt.
Top speed: 122 Kt.
Landing approach: 78-85 Kt.
Touchdown: 60-67 Kt.
INSTRUMENT PANEL
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Simple custom panel with old fashioned instruments, inspired on a photograph of the Rohrbach Ro-VIII Roland 1 flight deck. The scarce gauges are some standard gauges and some antique third-party instruments that fit the era quite nicely, but whose origin I have unfortunately lost track of, and whose authors have done a great job creating them.
SOUNDS
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Default CSopwith Camel sounds. However, SUNDSND.ZIP sounds from the Sunderland flying boat, with modified touchdown sounds for wheels, are recommended for this aircraft.
TECHNICAL DETAILS
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This Ro-VIIIb Roland-II model is production No.47, registration D-1727, D-AXEV "Freienfels".
Units built: 12
Previous models: Ro-VIII Roland-I (6 units), 1927
Ro-VIIIa Roland-I (8 units)
Both were 2+10 seat airliners with
open cocktpit, 30 cm shorter wings and
3x230 Hp BMW IV engines.
Year: 1929
Type: 2+10 seat airliner
Engine: 3x320 HP BMW Va
Dimensions: Length 16.30 m 53 ft 6 in
height 4.50 m 14 ft 8 in
span 26.30 m 86 ft 3 in
wing area 89.00 m2 958 sq ft
Weights: Empty 4400 kg 9700 lb
fuel 800 kg 1764 lb
oil 55 kg 121 lb
crew 160 kg 353 lb
load 2215 kg 4873 lb
paying load 1200 kg 2645 lb
flying weight 6615 kg 14583 lb
Performance: Max. speed 225 km/h @ sea level, 122 Kt
cruising speed 180 km/h @ sea level, 97 Kt
climb at 1000 m 3.0 m/sec., 600 ft/min
landing speed 105 km/h, 57 Kt
range 900 km, 486 nm
service ceiling 4600 m, 10000 ft
endurance 5 h
LEGAL STUFF
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This aircraft is freeware. No responsibility is taken for any loss or damage incurred directly or indirectly from its use. The original unaltered files may be freely distributed, uploaded, downloaded and shared, on condition that proper credit is maintained, and of course, no financial gain whatsoever is made!
Enjoy it!
Stephan Scholz
scholzrittermann@SoftHome.net January 2005
