Dornier Do 217
Dornier · German Reich · first flew 1938 · bomber
The Dornier Do 217 was Germany's principal twin-engine medium bomber and anti-shipping aircraft of the Second World War, developed as a substantially enlarged derivative of the Do 17. It served in bombing, reconnaissance, and missile-carrying roles.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Enlarged Do 17 'flying pencil' with deeper, more capacious fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Enlarged Do 17 'flying pencil' with deeper, more capacious fuselage
- Twin radial or inline engines on straight-tapered mid-wing
- Distinctive cruciform dive brake petals at the tail used on early variants
Larger and deeper-bodied than the Do 17, with a more prominent glazed nose. The twin engines on the straight-tapered mid-wing and the cruciform tail-mounted dive brakes on early marks are key identifiers.
Specifications
- The Dornier Do 217 has a length of 17 m (56 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 19 m (62 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 475 km/h (295 mph).
- Typical crew: 4.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1938, the Do 217 entered Luftwaffe service in 1941 and saw extensive use over Britain, the Soviet Union, and the Mediterranean. Later variants carried Henschel Hs 293 anti-ship missiles and Fritz X guided bombs, scoring notable hits on Allied warships including the Italian battleship Roma in 1943.
Variants
Major variants included the Do 217E bomber, Do 217J night fighter, Do 217K with a revised glazed nose, and Do 217M with Daimler-Benz inline engines replacing the BMW radials.
Where you'll see it
Served with the Luftwaffe from 1941 until the end of the war; no post-war operators.
Related aircraft
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