Dornier Do 24

Dornier · German Reich · first flew 1937 · transport aircraft

The Dornier Do 24 was a large German three-engine flying boat designed for maritime patrol and air-sea rescue, notable for its parasol wing mounting three radial engines. Its robust hull and long range made it effective over open seas.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	3 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	22.05 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.

Spot it by:

High-wing trimotor flying boat
Three radial engines above parasol wing
Twin-boom tail with central hull

Immediately identified by three closely-spaced radial engines on a high parasol wing above a broad single-step hull, with a twin-boom tail unit joining horizontal stabilisers.

Specifications

The Dornier Do 24 has a length of 22.05 m (72 ft).
It has a wingspan of 27 m (89 ft).
Its maximum speed is 340 km/h (211 mph).
Typical crew: 4.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Developed originally for the Dutch Naval Air Service, the Do 24 entered Luftwaffe service after Germany's 1940 conquest of the Netherlands. It served extensively in air-sea rescue roles across the Mediterranean, North Sea, and Baltic. A small number were reconverted for civil use after the war, and Spain operated the type until the 1970s.

Variants

Major versions included the Do 24T with BMW Bramo 323 engines and the Do 24TT post-war conversion. The Dutch-built Do 24K served the Netherlands East Indies Air Service.

Where you'll see it

Operated by Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and France; Spanish examples served longest, finally retiring in 1969.

Related aircraft

AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 5,024 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.