Time Period: World War II
Country of Origin: Germany
Type: Fighter Aircraft, Bomber Aircraft, Reconnaissance and Surveillance
Manufacturer: Dornier Flugzeugwerke
Dornier Do 17 Aircraft Overview
The Dornier Do 17 was a medium bomber aircraft developed by the German company Dornier during the 1930s. It was designed as a twin-engine aircraft with a distinctive “bent” nose, which gave it a unique appearance.
The aircraft had a crew of four and was armed with a variety of machine guns and cannon for defensive purposes. It was capable of carrying a bomb load of up to 2,205 pounds (1,000 kg) and had a range of around 1,200 miles (1,930 km).
The Do 17 was used extensively by the German Luftwaffe during the early years of World War II. It was used in a variety of roles, including as a bomber, reconnaissance aircraft, and even as a night fighter. However, by the end of 1941, the Do 17 was largely obsolete and was replaced by newer and more advanced aircraft such as the Junkers Ju 88.
Despite its shortcomings, the Do 17 was an important aircraft for the German war effort, and it played a significant role in the early campaigns of the war. It was used in the invasion of Poland, the Battle of France, and the Battle of Britain, among other operations.
Dornier Do 17 Z-2 Specifications
- Crew: 4
- Length: 15.8 m (51 ft 10 in)
- Wingspan: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
- Height: 4.56 m (15 ft 0 in)
- Empty weight: 5,210 kg (11,486 lb)
- Empty equipped: 5,888 to 5,963 kg (12,981 to 13,146 lb)
- Max takeoff weight: 8,837 kg (19,482 lb)
- Fuel capacity: standard fuel 1,540 L (339 imp gal), with aux tank in forward bomb bay 2,435 L (536 imp gal)
- Powerplant: 2 × Bramo 323P 9-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engines with 1,000 PS (986 hp, 736 kW) for take-off
- Propellers: 3-bladed variable-pitch propellers
Dornier Do 17 Z-2 Performance
- Maximum speed: 350 km/h (220 mph, 190 kn) at 8,040 kg (17,725 lb) at sea level. 410 km/h (255 mph) at 8,040 kg (17,725 lb) at 5,000 m (16,404 ft)
- Cruise speed: 300 km/h (190 mph, 160 kn) at 8,837 kg (19,482 lb) at 4,000 m (13,123 ft)
- Combat range: 660 km (410 mi, 360 nmi) with 1,540 L (339 imp gal) fuel and 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of bombs. 1,010 km (628 mi) with 2,435 L (536 imp gal) fuel and 500 kg (1,102 lb) of bombs
- Service ceiling: 8,200 m (26,900 ft)
- Wing loading: 156 kg/m2 (32 lb/sq ft)
- Power/mass: 0.170 kW/kg (0.11 hp/lb)
Dornier Do 17 Z-2 Armament
- Guns: 6 × 7.92 mm (0.312 in) MG 15 machine guns in front upper/lower, rear upper/lower and beam positions (all firing from cockpit area)
- Bombs: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb) of bombs carried internally, either 20 x 50 kg (110 lb) bombs or 4 x 250 kg (551 lb) bombs.
