Pitcairn Autogiro: Making News while Breaking News
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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.
1931 Pitcairn-Cierva Autogiro - 1
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!
View ArtifactLog for the Detroit News No. 2 Autogiro, 1931-1933
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 8
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--At Scripps Hangar--Item 11
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 1
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Carrying Judge during Harmsworth Regatta Near Yacht Club
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Scripps Farm--Item 14
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 16
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over City Airport--Item 2
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Crowds at City Airport Demonstration--Item 1
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Kuenzel and Byerley--Item 4
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 10
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--At Scripps Hanger--Item 1
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over WWJ Towers
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 4
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Close-up Views on Ground--Item 1
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Scripps Farm--Item 16
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Item 5
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--At Scripps Hanger--Item 2
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 14
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--At Scripps Hanger--Item 3
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Carrying Judge during Harmsworth Regatta Showing Yacht Club
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Scripps Farm--Item 6
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.
View ArtifactPilot Frank Byerley and Photographer William Kuenzel aboard the Detroit News Autogiro, April 6, 1931
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro--Over Downtown Detroit--Item 2
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.
View ArtifactDetroit News--Autogiro and Plane, "Detroit News," in City Airport Hanger
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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