Dornier Do X
Dornier · Germany · first flew 1929 · airliner
The Dornier Do X was a giant German flying boat of 1929 that was the world's largest, heaviest, and most powerful aircraft at the time of its first flight, powered by twelve engines mounted in push-pull pairs above a parasol wing.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 40.05 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- World's largest aircraft when built — twelve engines in push-pull pairs on a parasol wing (capped at 4; actual count 12)
- Massive flying boat with a two-deck hull capable of carrying 150+ passengers
- Distinctive sponsons (sea-wings) on the lower hull sides replacing conventional floats
Unmistakable: an enormous two-deck flying boat hull with twelve engines in tandem pairs above the wing, large lateral sponsons replacing floats, and a parasol high wing — nothing else looks like it.
Specifications
- The Dornier Do X has a length of 40.05 m (131 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 48 m (157 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 242 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 10.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in July 1929, the Do X briefly carried 169 passengers on a demonstration flight. Three aircraft were built — one for Germany and two for Italy. The Do X made a transatlantic crossing to New York in 1930–31, though plagued by technical difficulties. No commercially viable route was established and all three aircraft were eventually scrapped.
Variants
Three aircraft were built; the two Italian machines (designated Do X2 and Do X3) used Fiat engines rather than the Curtiss Conquerors of the original.
Where you'll see it
Never entered regular commercial service despite the transatlantic demonstration; all three examples were retired by the mid-1930s.
Related aircraft
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