The Dornier Do 24 was a long-range, rescue and maritime patrol flying boat. It was used by the Luftwaffe in the North Sea, Mediterranean, and Baltic Sea coastal regions, during World War II. A total of 279 Do 24s were produced in different variants. The Dutch, French, and Swiss also made this flying boat under license before Germany invaded France and the Low Countries in May 1940.
The Dornier Do 24 had been designed to meet the Royal Dutch Navy's requirement for a maritime patrol aircraft, which would be used in the Dutch East Indies, in the Far East. The prototype V3 made its maiden flight on July 3, 1937. After several flight tests, it entered service with the Dutch Navy in November 1937, as the Do 24K-1 version. A total of twelve were delivered to Holland before the German invasion of France and the Low Countries. Although the prototype was fitted with three Junkers Jumo 205 diesel engines, the final production variant for the Dutch was powered by Wright R-1820 Cyclone engines. Nine Do 24Ks would be sent to the East Indies to fight against the Japanese.
Below, the V1 prototype, powered by three Junkers Jumo 205 diesel engines, in 1938.
Although the Luftwaffe showed little interest in this flying boat at the beginning, two prototypes of the Dornier Do 24, which had been stored in a hangar, were hastily upgraded and fitted with defensive armament (one 20mm cannon and one 7.92mm machine gun) in March 1940. These two maritime aircraft were delivered to the Luftwaffe's Kampfgeschwader 108. for special operations during the German invasion of Denmark and Norway. After the fall of Holland in German hands in late May 1940, the Dutch De Schelde and Fokker companies would keep producing the flying boat for the German Luftwaffe. Thus, eleven would be delivered as Do 24N-1 in the fall of 1941. By the end of 1944, a total of 170 flying boats had been delivered to Germany from the Dutch factory assembly lines.
Technical Description
The Dornier Do 24 was a three-engine monoplane flying boat. It featured straight, braced parasol wing. It had a two-step, all-metal hull, with the rear portion curving slightly upwards and ending up in a twin-fin tail. Wide sponsons stuck out from each side, giving the hydroplane stability when it was on water. The Do 24T-1 version was powered by three BMW Bramo 323R-2 Fafnir, 9-cylinder, radial engines, each rated at 1,000 horsepower. These engines were mounted side by side on the wing above the cockpit/cabin, which was big enough for a crew of six.
Specifications (Do 24T-1)
Type: rescue and maritime patrol hydroplane.
Length: 22 m (72 feet, 4 inches)
Wing Span: 27 m (88 feet, 6 inches)
Wing Area: 108 m2 (1,162.5 sq. feet)
Height: 5.75 m (18 feet, 10 inches)
Power Plant: three BMW Bramo 323R-2 radial engines.
Maximum Speed: 331 km/h (206 mph)
Range: 4,700 km (2,920 miles)
Service Ceiling: 7,500 m (24,605 feet)
Crew: 6 men
Below, the V3 prototype, which would become the Do 24K-1, the Dutch version, in flight in 1939.
The Do 24T-1, German variant, which excelled in the rescue role.
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