Pitcairn Autogiro: Making News while Breaking News

26 artifacts in this set

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The autogiro is just what it looks like – a technological halfway step between the airplane and the helicopter. The engine only powers the front propeller. The overhead rotor spins freely, but that autorotation generates significant additional lift. The Detroit News used its 1931 Pitcairn-Cierva autogiro to rush reporters and photographers to breaking stories, and to take aerial photos. Most of these photographs show this aircraft in action.

Detailed Description

1931 Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro

Autogiro

Like an airplane, the autogiro is moved by an engine-powered propeller, but like a helicopter, lift is provided by a rotor. The rotor is not powered, and while the aircraft can land vertically, it cannot take off vertically. The Detroit News purchased this autogiro to gather news. The novel aircraft probably was better at making news!

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Log for the Detroit News No. 2 Autogiro, 1931-1933

Log (Record)

Airplanes require careful monitoring and maintenance, and each flight must be thoroughly documented in a logbook. This log, for the autogiro operated by the Detroit News, records information like takeoff and landing times, flight locations, miles traveled, and fuel consumption. Additionally, the autogiro's overall flight and engine operation hours are noted in a running total after each trip.

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Detroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 8

Negative (Photograph)

The Detroit News operated an autogiro from 1931 to 1933. The novel aircraft carried a large, swiveling camera to take aerial photos of newsworthy events and transported reporters for quickly developing stories. However, it ultimately proved more useful as an advertisement for the paper. The autogiro made over 700 flights before it was donated to Henry Ford's museum in Dearborn.

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