Let Let Let – Warplanes

Technical details:

Engines: 2 Maybach Mb IVA engines of 270 hp each
Wing span: 21.0 m
Length: 15.3 m
Height: 4.7 m
Max. speed: 170 km/h
Service ceiling: 4250 m
All-up weight: 4315 kg

Dornier Delphin

In 1920 Dornier introduced a very modern and revolutionary small commercial flying boat as the Delphin I. It was an all-metal high-wing construction, with a single engine in front of the hull. The crew was positioned in an open cockpit directly after the engine while the passengers were seated in a closed cabin with large side windows. It had capacity for 4-5 passengers. The Delphin I was flown for the first time on 24 November 1920. In its original form with a blunt-nosed hull it had great difficulties becoming airborne. By extending the bow, this was later solved. Only four Delphin I’s were built including one to the U.S. Navy for testing its all-metal construction. Another one was sold to Kawasaki in Japan for licence construction.

The Delphin 1a with its extended bow to improve start performance.

In short, the Delphin was not quite so successful as the later Wal, but also this type was developed further. In 1924 Dornier introduced an improved version as the Delphin II with a more powerful engine and an enclosed crew cabin. Only four were built. One was delivered to the British Air Ministry for evaluation trials and the Deutsche Aero Lloyd for pleasure flights used two others over the Boden lake. Later, Deutsche Aero Lloyd used one of these for testing of a regular nightline between Stetin and Copenhagen-Denmark.

Four years later, in 1928, Dornier launched another improved and enlarged version as the Delphin III fitted with a 400 and later even a 600 hp powerplant and a capacity of up to ten passengers. Again, it was not the big commercial success as expected and only three were built in the new Dornier works at Altenrhein in Switzerland. They were used by Bodensee Aero Lloyd for pleasure flying.

The Delphin III was the final version of this series of attractive looking flying boats.

Technical details Delphin I:

Engines: BMW IIIA liquid-cooled engine of 185 hp
Wing span: 17.10 m
Length: 11.50 m
Height: 3.10 m
Max. speed: 125 km/h
Service ceiling: 4000 m
All-up weight: 2200 kg

Dornier Wal

Dornier developed the GS I of 1919 further into a military patrol flying boat for export purposes since Germany was not allowed to have such heavy types of military planes. Since it was forbidden to set op production in Germany an Italian company was established: the Construzioni Mechanichi Aeronautice SA. CMA was located in Marina di Pisa where construction of the new flying boat was soon started. It was called the Wal (whale) and made its first flight on 6 November 1922. It was a great success and many were delivered to Spain, the Netherlands, Chile, Argentina, Japan, Russia and Yugoslavia. It was also licence-constructed in Spain, the Netherlands and Japan. The Wal showed its excellent performance by setting numerous world records! It was also found to be very reliable and easy to maintain and since the hull section was divided in several parts, it was practically unsinkable. Another characteristic of the Wal was that in case of engine failure at sea, the crew could raise a large sail. Although the first Wals were fitted with the same type of Maybach engines as used on the GS I, it could be easily adapted for other engine types and in general it was up to the customer to decide which type of engines he wanted. Except for the Maybach, also the Rolls Royce Eagle, Lorraine Dietrich, Napier Lion, Bristol Jupiter and Isotta Fraschini Asso were used. Some types were even fitted with 600 hp US Liberty engines.

Related posts:

1. German flying boats Part 2: 1935-2000
2. Dutch flying boats and amphibians
3. French flying boats and amphibians
4. Dornier Do-28 amphibian for the MLD
5. Vanneau history

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