Dornier DO-24

By John Dorcey

One of the tri-motors visiting AirVenture 2005 is the rare Dornier DO-24. The Dutch government turned to the Dornier Aircraft Company when it needed an aircraft capable of flying to its colonies.

Dornier was exclusively a flying boat manufacturer in its early history and had become experts in that area. The aircraft was to have a long range, reliability (thus the three engines), and a fair capacity. It held 14 passengers.

Dornier manufactured over 200 aircraft of this type. This particular airframe was built in 1944. During World War II the DO-24 was used extensively by the German government as a Search and Rescure (SAR) aircraft. Missions were flown in the Atlantic and Mediterranean Oceans and the North and Baltic Seas. Pilots of all nationalities were rescued - in all over 11,000 lives were saved.

Dr. Ing Klaus Daser, Public Relations Consultant for Dornier, related many stories of the history of the Dornier company and the DO-24. Most telling, from a pilot's perspective was his comment, "The DO-24 was not built as an airplane but as a boat." He also told of hundreds of letters from rescued pilots, from all countries, relating their rescue by the large flying boat. One mission included over 118 refugees including men, women and children.

After the war two DO-24 aircraft were given to the Spanish government, who used the aircraft in border patrol work. Spain returned the aircraft to Dornier in 1970. More than 15 years elapsed as the aircraft underwent major rework including a conversion from flying boat to an amphibian. Modifications included a major wing rework and upgrading the engines to the Pratt and Whitney PT6. The aircraft now holds a DO-24ATT designation; the ATT represents Amphibian Technology Testbed.

Christian Kerrk, Toronto, Canada, one of just 4 pilots rated in the aircraft, described its flying characteristics, "The controls are tight for an aircraft of its size, the hull is very efficient and takeoff run is very short."

Three-engine cruise speed is 140 knots and the aircraft has an endurance of over seven hours. Certificated for single pilot operations (but always flown with two) the aircraft is equipped with GPS and is routinely flown IFR.

Since April 2004 the aircraft has been on a world tour in an effort to raise funds for UNICEF. The tour will continue after this stop in Oshkosh with a stop in New York City on August 27th. This stop will recreate the visit of Dornier's DO-X on August 27, 1931.

FMI: www.DO-24.com