German flying boats Part 2: 1935-2000
In this second and last part, we will review the German flying boats built over the period 1935-2000. It is surprising to see that basic good designs as the Dornier Wal and Do-24 were even further developed in the eighties using new materials!
Dornier Do-18
Intended as an all-metal successor of the Wal, Dornier introduced for the Deutsche Lufthansa (DLH) overseas routes the Do-18. Just like the Wal the engines were housed in tandem nacelles on top of the wings. Further, the Do-18 was fitted with the characteristic sponsons to improve stability at start and landing without even the need of wing floats! The Do-18V1 prototype D-AHIS made its first flight on 15 March 1935. DLH used it on its transatlantic flights as Do-18E under the name Monsun. Later it was joined by the Do-18′s Aolus (D-ABYM), Zephir (D-ARUN), Zyklon (D-AANE) and the Weserflug built Pampero (D-AROZ). Basically, they were not very differentfrom the Do-18V1. Later, an additional machine was supplied as Do-18F (D-ANHR). This machine had a slightly increased wingspan and was used to establish a distance record of 8400 km in 1938. A year later this machine was experimentally fitted with two BMW 132M radial air-cooled engines of 960 hp each as Do-18L. All six DLH Do-18′s were later used by the Luftwaffe. Except for the civil version, Dornier and later also Weserflug built additionally a number of military variants. These military machines were fitted with a machine gun in a nose position and another one in a dorsal position behind the wing.
The following military versions were built:
Do-18D long-range patrol plane and light bomber fitted with two Jumo 205C of 600 hp
Do-18G long-range patrol plane and light bomber fitted with two Jumo 205C-4 of 880 hp
Do-18H blind-flying trainer with dual controls and the same 600 hp engines of the Do-18D.
In total, 46 Do-18′s of all versions were built at the Dornier works and an additional 131 at Weserflug. The production of the Do-18 was terminated in 1940. Later during the war period, a number of Do-18′s were converted into the version Do-18N for air-sea rescue work.
Technical details Do-18E:
Engine: two Junkers Jumo 205C liquid-cooled in-line engines of 600 hp each
Wing span: 23.70 m
Length: 19.25 m
Height: 5.35 m
Max. speed: 260 km/h
Service ceiling: 4200 m with all-up weight of 8500 kg
All-up weight: 8500 kg (at catapult launches, all-up weight could be increased up to 10,000kg)
Related posts:
[...] See also German Flying Boats and Amphibian Part 2 [...]
Dear Nico,
excuse me as I m a bit ten thumbed w email: I m a
civilian pilot (presently piloting a dialysis machine) and fond
about seaplanes – I found infos about german seaplanes rather
interesting: I m in the process (unsuccessful sofar) of contacting the present owner of the only surviving Dornier Seastar
(the last one in FRP) can y be of help?
Tks for the attntn and cordialn regards
Mauro
mail address
Mauro Belacchi
POBox 127
47042 Cesenatico FC Italy
phone 39 334 1092092
MISTERS ,
CAN YOU SHOW THE WEAPONS UDES IN GERMAN FLYING BOATS ? RADARS ?
DID YOU SSE THE STE “BLACKCATS ” OF US NAVY IN WORLD WAR TWO ?
RESPECTFULLY,
LUIZ CAMACHO ( BRAZIL ) .
[...] Originally Posted by A4K In Hungarian that would be ‘B
hello.
to who it may concern
iam the grandson of eric albert fritz gundermann, test pilot and flight captain for dornier flying boats.
iam reaserching the life of my grandfather and wish to know more about my grandfather. if there is any information concerning him or his achievements. i would apreciate the info. thank you.
mark robert auren gundermann von noltenius und wolfert
Help!!! I’m urgently trying to find a photo I saw 4-5 years ago, not sure where. It showed three large seaplanes, probably docked in Portugal. They were lined up in a row – one had USA flag on it, one had a big swastika, and I think the 3rd was British. I am sure this was just before or even during WW2, as Portugal was neutral. Any help will be greatly appreciated. The USA plane was likely a Pan Am Martin M-130 Clipper or a Pan Am Boeing 314 Clipper. I knew a radio-navigator who flew the route into Portugal at this time. Thanx, desperate in Arizona, JA
See http://www.dornierseaplane.com/ for more details on the Dornier Seastar!