FirePower Series Aircraft

The Dornier 217N-2 Night Fighter

History:

The Dornier Do 217 was a late development of the original Do 17 "Flying Pencil" twin-engine bomber of Battle of Britain renown.  The Do 217 N-2 was the latest and most potent of all the 217 series. Towards the end of 1941, the German General der Nachtjagd steadily added links to the defensive chain, which had become known as the “Kammhuber Line.” This defensive grid comprised a searchlight belt of 22 miles in depth for illuminated interceptions and zones which individual night fighters were vectored towards their targets by the Himelbett system of ground control. By May 1942, the slower, poorly defended British bombers were giving way to the new, more potent warplanes such as the Lancaster, which debut in March 1942. British night raids were becoming increasingly more effective, with devastating attacks like the first “Thousand Bomber” raid on Cologne on May 30-31, 1942.

The Germans generally considered the Ju-88 to be the best aircraft available for night fighting, with destructive forward firing armament, excellent performance, and the endurance necessary for standing patrols. Unfortunately, the vast majority of Ju-88’s coming off the production lines were committed elsewhere. Thus, the BF110 had to shoulder the burden of defending the night skies, despite it also being in very short supply.

It was consequently proposed, that the Do 217 heavy bomber, despite its size and weight, be adapted as an interim night fighter. Deliveries of the newly converted Do 217J-1 night fighters began delivery in March 1942 and by July 1942, the Do 217N-1 appeared in the skies with new on-board radar equipment. The 20mm MG FF cannons were replaced with the higher velocity 20mm MG 151’s. Another modification introduced in the DO217N-1 was adding two upward firing “Schrage Musik” 20mm MG 151 cannons in the rear fuselage.

The success of the “Schrage Musik” configuration resulted in the design of the Rustsatz field conversion set for the installation of four 20mm MG 151’s in the upward firing position. This model was then designated the Do 217N-2. The Do 217N-2 night fighters began to appear over a wide area during the course of 1943. During the early months of 1944 all Do 217 night fighters began to disappear from the night skies. Production of all versions of the Do 217 night fighter had totaled 364 aircraft delivered during 1942 into early 1943.

Distinctive characteristics:

Cockpit Panel:

Flying characteristics:

The Do217 is a big, heavy twin with relatively weak engines. You can thing of it as a slow twin, or a nimble heavy bomber. It has very good, forgiving handling characteristics overall.

Pilot Comments:

"It was a stable airplane, with well-harmonized controls that weren't overly heavy.  But it was somewhat underpowered and had poor single-engine performance."

"Like the He111, the Do217 was an easy airplane to fly and pilots liked it.  It didn't have any real vices, it just flew well."

Combat tactics:

Engaging fighters:

You need to avoid fighters at all costs, because the Do 217 is essentially a heavy bomber with no defensive armament. Your best defensive tactic is to be the most difficult target you can, by either going down low, or into any available clouds. You do have awesome power in the nose, so if you are fortunate enough to find any aircraft in your sights, it will most likely not survive even a short burst. Remember, your upward firing guns are aiming mostly up and slightly forward, so if you are in a turning circle with your enemy, firing those upward 20mm’s may be worth a lucky shot at an enemy trying to get on your tail. Another possible tactic with a fighter in hot pursuit is to suddenly cut throttle, drop flaps and gear, and go down low in hopes that the enemy will pass overhead. He may not know the little surprise you have in store for him. Lastly, if you are in a head-on position, you always have the option of making a fast move below, and opening up with your upward firing cannons as you pass below.

Intercepting bombers:

Probably the best thing about flying a big, heavy aircraft is being able to pack a big punch. In the case of the Do 217, that comes in the form of eight forward firing guns, plus four 20mm MG 151’s in the upward firing position. This aircraft is designed to take out a heavy bomber in one pass. Probably a best daytime tactic is to make slashing attacks from an angle, attacking with your forward firing guns, and then opening up with the 20mm upward firing guns as you pass below. If the bomber was lucky enough to survive the eight concentrated guns in the nose, the pass below is likely to finish the job. This “one-two” punch technique is something you will have to develop. The Do 217 is also a big, rugged airplane so, even though high speed attacks are much preferred, the Do 217 is able to withstand a little more punishment than other light twins. Considering the power in the nose, approaching from behind and slugging it out may also be a worthwhile tactic for the inexperienced pilot.

Ground attack:

Your aircraft is not too maneuverable, but packs a lot of punch. Make well executed passes, without getting too slow so you have as much maneuverability as possible to make any last minute adjustments. You have plenty of ammunition, so you can afford to open up for longer periods of time. This is a solid platform for attacking practically any ground target that moves. Be aware that you are big and slow, so make every pass count, get the job done, and get out of there before any enemy fighters arrive on the scene.

Specifications:

Type: Four-seat Night Interceptor and Intruder Fighter Power Plants: Two Daimler-Benz DB 603A 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engines each rated at 1,750 h.p. for takeoff and 1,850 h.p. at 6,900 ft. Armament: Four 20mm MG 151 cannon and four 7.9mm MG 17 machine guns in the fuselage nose (and four 20mm MG 151 firing upward and forward at an angle of 70 degrees from center fuselage). Weights: Empty equipped 22,665 lb; Loaded 29,101 lb Dimensions: Span, 62 ft 4 in; length (including aerials) 62 ft 0 in; height 16 ft 4 ¾ in; wing area 613.542 sq. ft.

Firepower Certified Specifications:

Dornier Do 217 N-2 Night Fighter

ENGINE OPERATION

This engine uses the common German "Kommandogerat" system which automates mixture control.  Mixture control is not available on this engine.

TAKEOFF (30,380 lbs.)

NOTE: The landing gear takes approximately 40 seconds to retract or extend.  At 100 mph the tail will lift slightly.  Do not force the tail up further; simply let the aircraft fly itself off the runway at 110 mph.

Flaps: 50% (27.5 degrees)

Elevator trim: Neutral

Rudder trim: +10%

Tailwheel unlocked for best directional control

Takeoff roll: 30 seconds

Liftoff speed: 110 mph/177 kph IAS

CLIMBING (33,130 lbs.)

NOTE: Rate of climb will degrade substantially at higher weights.

Initial climb: 760 fpm (3.8 m/s) at full power/140 mph IAS

Normal climb: 146 mph (237 kph) IAS @ 1.3 ata/2500 rpm

Rate of climb: 980 fpm (4.9 m/s)

LANDING (27,483 lbs.)

Gear extension: 150 mph/242 kph IAS

Flap extension: 146 mph/235 kph IAS

Approach speed: 140 mph/225 kph IAS

Full flaps at 137 mph/222 kph IAS

Over airfield boundary: 115 mph/185 kph IAS

Touchdown at 99 mph/160 kph IAS

Specifications:

Top Speed @ SL: 294 mph TAS (476 kph/256 kts)

Top Speed @ Alt: 348 mph TAS (564 kph/303 kts) @ 18,700 feet

Max Cruise @ SL: 242 mph TAS (392 kph/210 kts) @ 1.2 ata/2300 rpm

Max Cruise @ 19,685 ft: 240 mph IAS/321 mph TAS @ 1.2 ata/2300 rpm

Normal Cruise: 218 mph (350 kph) IAS/293 mph TAS @ 19,685 feet @ 1.0 ata/2000 rpm

Climb: 6.7 minutes to 6,560 ft @ 1.3 ata/2500 rpm (33,130 lbs.)

Initial climb: 760 fpm (33,130 lbs.)

Fuel to climb: 32 gallons

1 g stall speed, clean: 106 mph IAS (156 kph/83 kts) @ 27,483 lbs.

1 g stall speed, landing: 90 mph IAS (138 kph/74 kts) @ 27,483 lbs.

Stall behavior: straightforward, recovery normal.

Takeoff: Liftoff speed 110 mph IAS (160 kph/86 kts) @ 29,823 lbs.

Ramp weight: 24,140 pounds

Normal takeoff weight: 30,380 pounds

Test weight: 29,823 lbs.

Max takeoff wt: 36,817 pounds

Roll rate: Approx. 30 deg/sec at 180 mph IAS.

Turning rate, in Gs: Approx. 2.5 Gs at 280 mph in a level turn.

High speed dives: Controls will freeze/reverse at approx. 450 mph IAS (730 kph/391 kts)

Vmax: 435 mph IAS (705 kph/378 kts)

Dive brakes: None

To Gear down: mild pitch down

To Flaps down: moderate pitch down

Engines: 2x DB603A inline liquid-cooled V-12

Idle speed: 900-1000 RPM

Takeoff power: 1750 HP @ 1.4 ata/2700 RPM

Climb (rated) power: 1580 HP @ 1.3 ata/2500 RPM

Max cruise power: 1375 HP @ 1.2 ata/2300 RPM

Service ceiling: 32,300 feet

Fuel capacity: 780 gallons