FirePower Series Aircraft

 

 

Dornier Do217 M Medium Bomber

 

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 M was one of the latest versions of this venerable series of bombers.

 

Distinctive characteristics:

 

Cockpit Panels:

 

Left Panel:

 

Upper panel:

 

Right panel:

 

Heavy anti-ship platform:

Excellent forward view, ideal for anti-ship operations

 

Capable of carrying three torpedoes

 

 

 

Wide variety of air-to-ground ordinance:

 

 

Flying characteristics:

Despite its powerful 1,750 h.p. engines, the 30,000lb Do217m is underpowered, and has poor single-engine performance.  If you lose an engine, you will not be able to maintain an altitude above 5,000ft.  You need to take special care when taking off with a full load.  Let the aircraft fly itself off the ground, and avoid any sudden pitch up after takeoff.  You will need to take time and let the Do217m build momentum.  It has a clean airframe, and can establish a cruise of over 240m.p.h.  The stalls are gentle.  When carrying external loudouts, be aware of the additional weight and drag, especially after releasing one side.

 

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."

 

Combat tactics:

Engaging fighters:

You are pretty heavily equipped with defensive armament, and have all areas covered.  You really have little else to do except fight them off with your defensive machine guns.  The Do217m is a big, tough airplane and can take quite a bit of punishment (with exception to the liquid cooled engines).

 

Ground attack:

For a twin, you can pack a big punch.  The forward view is exceptional for ground attack.  Some Do217m’s were configured for dive bombing, but it was not a precise platform to be used in the dive-bombing role.  This is not a fighter, so you need to take extra time to line up the target.  You are also a big target, so be aware of anti-aircraft guns.  Though you have two engines, the single engine performance is marginal at best, so don’t be over-confident with two engines.

 

Specifications:

Type:  Bomber  Power Plants:  Engines: 2x DB603A inline liquid-cooled V-12  rated at 1750 lbs. static thrust for takeoff Armament: 2x 7.9mm MG81 machine guns in nose, 1x 13mm MG 131 machine gun in dorsal turret, 1x 13mm MG131 machine gun in ventral step, and 2x 7.9 MG81 machine guns in lateral position Weights:  Normal takeoff weight 30,380 lb; Loaded 21,715 lb Dimensions:  Span, 62 ft 4 in; length 56 ft ½ in; height 16 ft 5 in

 

Firepower Certified Specifications:

Dornier Do217 M Medium Bomber

ENGINE OPERATION

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

TAKEOFF (29,823 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.

CLIMBING (33,130 lbs.)

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

LANDING (27,483 lbs.)

Firepower Certified Specifications: