Autogiro Cierva C 30A

Helicopter Sweden

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Cierva C.30A SE-AEA owned and operated by the Swedish pilot Rolf on Bahr

This Cierva C.30A, built in 1932, was flown by Rolf von Bahr. It is now on display at Tekniska Museet (Museum of  Science and Technology) in Stockholm.

Rolf von Bahr got his license as a commercial pilot in the UK in 1933. He was employed at AB Autogiro, an company founded by the aviators Theodor and Henrik Dieden. This two brothers saw in 1931 Juan de la Cierva fly his C.19 design in Stockholm. The Dieden brothers were impressed, and decided to use the autogiro commercially in Sweden. However, the AB Autogiro had a short life and was wounded up in 1935.  

AB Autogiro acquired two machines of Cierva’s design - one C.19 (SE-ADU) and one C.30 (SE-AEA, on the photo above). In 1935, von Bahr founded his own company, also named AB Autogiro, and continued to fly SE-AEA. He was also appointed as Cierva’s representative in Sweden.  

As earlier mentioned, Rolf von Bahr tested the autogiro as an artillery spotter for the Army and made reconnaissance flights for the Swedish Navy during the WWII. But he also worked on the civil market. He flew tourist in some popular winter-sports resorts He also flew rescue, taxi and ambulance flights etc. Totally flew Rolf von Bahr about 7.000 hours in autogiros - probably the world record.

The Cierva C.30A had a Armstrong Siddeley Genet Major engine of 140 hp. Length 5,91. Rotor dia. 11,28 m. MTOW 862 kg. Max. speed161 km/h.

  
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© Lars Henriksson

Updated 2010-07-17