Let Let Let - Warplanes

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

This Dornier works photographs shows the start of the Do-18V1

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.

A Luftwaffe Do-18D on the catapult launch.

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.

One of the Deutsche Lufthansa Do-18E\'s, D-ARUN Zephir

The singe Do-18L D-ANHR, fitted with radial engines

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)