Dornier Do 214 (P.192)

History

The 1930s and 1940s proved to be exciting times for aviation as the war machine powered many technologies in the field. Passenger transport has also given rise to increasingly powerful, larger, and longer-range aircraft designed to transport people and cargo to far-flung parts of the world.

In the late 1930s, Dornier in Germany developed Project P. 93 as a long-haul commercial passenger airship on the Lisbon to New York route. However, when Germany was at war in Europe and elsewhere in 1940, Dornier was tasked with restoring their P.93 military design, which led to the designation of the P.192, which continued under the military designation "Do 214" .

The aircraft will have a crew of 12 to 15 to operate the various systems and subsystems on board. Overall length is reported to be 169.2 feet, with a wingspan of 196.9 feet and a height of 46.10 feet. Curb weight is 167,550 pounds, while laden weight is 320,000 pounds. Power will come from eight Daimler-Benz DB613A liquid-cooled 24-cylinder in-line piston engines arranged in four pairs of nacelles, with two struts on each leading edge of the wing and two struts on the trailing edge of each wing . The output of each engine is an impressive 3,800 horsepower. Engineers estimate a top speed of 305 mph and a cruising speed of 265 mph.

Range is 3,852 miles and service is capped at 23,000 feet.

Externally, the fuselage has a boat-like hull for water landing and take-off. The flight deck is mounted above the nose to provide an impressive forward view of the action.

The wing main aircraft is mounted high on the side of the fuselage, and each engine nacelle has been streamlined for aerodynamic efficiency. The rear wing is traditional as it comes with a vertical rear wing and a low-set horizontal plane. Several windows are set along the sides of the fuselage.

A hull model was ordered in 1941, which did some work on the mission, but the deteriorating wartime situation in Germany eventually led to the cancellation of the massive airship. The Luftwaffe was in desperate need of fighters, interceptors, night fighters and conventional bombers, so there was little need for large airships. If the project comes to fruition, the aircraft will serve several key roles for Germany in the war: long-range maritime patrols, general transport, anti-ship operations, submarine resupply, and more.

Due to trials and tests, it likely won't be ready until 1943.

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