Dornier Do 215
Nazi Germany (1939)
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The Dornier Do 215 was originally a German product intended for export - the arrival of the World War 2 officially changed that.
Detailing the development and operational history of the Dornier Do 215 Reconnaissance / Light Bomber / Night-Fighter Aircraft. Entry last updated on 3/20/2016. Authored by Staff Writer. Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com
The Do 217 retained much of its visual similarities from the Do 17 bomber including the distinct "pencil" like fuselage. Engines were of inline design powering three-blade propellers and fitted to nacelles under each wing. Wings were mid-mounted monoplanes with rounded edges. The crew compartment was held in the extreme forward portion of the fuselage, complete with extensive glazing around the canopy. Conditions, no doubt, were cramped for the crew of four, consisting of the pilot, bombardier and two machine gunners. The streamlined design ended in a conventional empennage sporting twin vertical surfaces. Armament for the series varied by model type with early forms the aircraft sporting 4 x 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns then later upgrading these to six. The night-fighter version coupled the firepower of 4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns with 2 x 20mm MG FF cannons all held in the nose. The Do 215 could sustain an internal payload of up to 2,200lbs in the bombing role. In the reconnaissance role, the aircraft would be fitted with a series of photo graphic cameras in the bomb bay as needed.
Performance of the base Do 215 B-1 models was supplied by twin Daimler-Benz DB 601Ba Vee 12-cylinder inline piston engines with an output of 1,159 horsepower each. These powerplants, combined with the slim and streamlined airframe, allowed for maximum speeds of up to 292 miles per hour, a normal range of about 1,522 miles and a service ceiling nearing 29,500 feet.
Though only some 100 or so Dornier Do 215's were produced, there were variants of note appearing throughout its production run. The Do 215 V1 was the initial prototype constructed from the Do 17 Z-0 and featured original Do 17 engines. The Do 215 V2 was the second prototype, this being fitted with French Gnome-Rhone 14-cylinder engines. The Do 215 V3 became the third prototype in the series, now fitted with German Daimler-Benz DB 601Ba inline piston engines.
The first production form became the eighteen Do 215 A-1's intended for use by the Swedish Air Force. Three of these were refitted (including the FuG 10 navigation system) for use by the German Luftwaffe under the new designation of Do 215 B-0. Likewise, the remaining fifteen of the original Swedish production batch fell under Luftwaffe operation with the designation of Do 215 B-1. The B-models would become the standard production models of the Do 215 series. The Do 215 B-2 were slightly revised Do 215's intended for the photographic reconnaissance role. There aircraft were fitted with three Rb 50/30 series cameras in the bomb bay and a sliding cover under the original bomb bay doors. The Do 215 B-3 was produced in only two examples, essentially the photo-reconnaissance Do 215 B-2's, produced for sale to the Soviet Union - the only two Do 215's not used by Germany. The Do 215 B-4 appeared as an "improved" reconnaissance platform developed from the Do 215 B-2 series models and were equipped with Rb 20/30 and Rb 50/30 series cameras.
Perhaps the most distinct form of the Do 215 became the Do 215 B-5 "Kauz III", a dedicated night-fighter built from Do 215 B-1 and Do 215 B-4 models. These aircraft featured the similar "Kauz II" noses found on the Dornier Do 17 Z-10's, fitted with an IR search light, antenna trees and "Spanner" infrared detection systems. Armament included 4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns along with 2 x 20mm MG FF cannons all housed in the nose. The Spanner infrared detection system was later replaced by the FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C series radar as the former proved to be of little operational value. Operation of this type ran from January of 1941 through May 1944.
In all, the Do 215 appeared in these major roles with only the reconnaissance and night-fighters making any impact of note for the German Luftwaffe. The aircraft was eventually succeeded by the Dornier Do 217, a medium/heavy bomber and night-fighter appearing from 1940 and onwards (all Do 215's were retired by the end of 1944). Official operators of the Do 215 included Germany, the Soviet Union and Hungary. Like the eighteen Do 215's intended for Sweden, an order of Do 215's to Yugoslavia (placed before the start of the war) were never completed for that country's use.
The first production form became the eighteen Do 215 A-1's intended for use by the Swedish Air Force. Three of these were refitted (including the FuG 10 navigation system) for use by the German Luftwaffe under the new designation of Do 215 B-0. Likewise, the remaining fifteen of the original Swedish production batch fell under Luftwaffe operation with the designation of Do 215 B-1. The B-models would become the standard production models of the Do 215 series. The Do 215 B-2 were slightly revised Do 215's intended for the photographic reconnaissance role. There aircraft were fitted with three Rb 50/30 series cameras in the bomb bay and a sliding cover under the original bomb bay doors. The Do 215 B-3 was produced in only two examples, essentially the photo-reconnaissance Do 215 B-2's, produced for sale to the Soviet Union - the only two Do 215's not used by Germany. The Do 215 B-4 appeared as an "improved" reconnaissance platform developed from the Do 215 B-2 series models and were equipped with Rb 20/30 and Rb 50/30 series cameras.
Perhaps the most distinct form of the Do 215 became the Do 215 B-5 "Kauz III", a dedicated night-fighter built from Do 215 B-1 and Do 215 B-4 models. These aircraft featured the similar "Kauz II" noses found on the Dornier Do 17 Z-10's, fitted with an IR search light, antenna trees and "Spanner" infrared detection systems. Armament included 4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns along with 2 x 20mm MG FF cannons all housed in the nose. The Spanner infrared detection system was later replaced by the FuG 202 Lichtenstein B/C series radar as the former proved to be of little operational value. Operation of this type ran from January of 1941 through May 1944.
In all, the Do 215 appeared in these major roles with only the reconnaissance and night-fighters making any impact of note for the German Luftwaffe. The aircraft was eventually succeeded by the Dornier Do 217, a medium/heavy bomber and night-fighter appearing from 1940 and onwards (all Do 215's were retired by the end of 1944). Official operators of the Do 215 included Germany, the Soviet Union and Hungary. Like the eighteen Do 215's intended for Sweden, an order of Do 215's to Yugoslavia (placed before the start of the war) were never completed for that country's use.
Our Data Modules allow for quick visual reference when comparing a single entry against contemporary designs. Areas covered include general ratings, speed assessments, and relative ranges based on distances between major cities.
Relative Maximum Speed Rating
Hi: 300mph
Lo: 150mph
This entry's maximum listed speed (292mph).
Graph average of 225 miles-per-hour.
City-to-City Ranges
NYC
LON
LON
PAR
PAR
BER
BER
MOS
MOS
TOK
TOK
SYD
SYD
LAX
LAX
NYC
Graph showcases the Dornier Do 215 B-1's operational range (on internal fuel) when compared to distances between major cities.
Aviation Era
Useful in showcasing the era cross-over of particular aircraft/aerospace designs.
Unit Production Comparison
Comm. Market HI*: 44,000 units
Military Market HI**: 36,183 units
105
105
* Commercial Market High belongs to Cessna 172.
** Military Market High belongs to Ilyushin Il-2.
Altitude Visualization
Compare this entry against other aircraft using our Comparison Tool
Supported Mission Types:
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Origin: Nazi Germany
Year: 1939
Type: Reconnaissance / Light Bomber / Night-Fighter Aircraft
Manufacturer(s): Dornier Werke GmbH - Germany
Production: 105
Global Operators:
Nazi Germany; Hungary; Soviet Union
Nazi Germany; Hungary; Soviet Union
Historical Commitments / Honors:
* Ribbons not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns/operations.
Unless otherwise noted the presented statistics below pertain to the Dornier Do 215 B-1 model. Common measurements, and their respective conversions, are shown when possible.
Operational
CREW
Personnel
4
Dimension
LENGTH
Feet
51.80 ft
Meters
15.79 m
Dimension
WIDTH
Feet
59.06 ft
Meters
18 m
Dimension
HEIGHT
Feet
14.96 ft
Meters
4.56 m
Weight
EMPTY
Pounds
12,743 lb
Kilograms
5,780 kg
Weight
LOADED
Pounds
19,401 lb
Kilograms
8,800 kg
2 x Daimler-Benz DB 601 Ba Vee 12-cylinder inline engines developing 1,160 horsepower each.
Performance
SPEED
Miles-per-Hour
292 mph
Kilometers-per-Hour
470 kph
Knots
254 kts
Performance
RANGE
Miles
1,522 mi
Kilometers
2,450 km
Nautical Miles
1,323 nm
Performance
CEILING
Feet
31,168 ft
Meters
9,500 m
Miles
5.90 mi
Supported Weapon Systems:
Armament - Hardpoints (0):
INITIAL:
4 x 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns
LATER:
6 x 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns
NIGHT-FIGHTER:
4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns in nose
2 x 20mm MG FF cannnons in lower nose
Up to 2,200lbs of internal ordnance.
INITIAL:
4 x 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns
LATER:
6 x 7.92mm MG 15 machine guns
NIGHT-FIGHTER:
4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns in nose
2 x 20mm MG FF cannnons in lower nose
Up to 2,200lbs of internal ordnance.
Variants:
Series Model Variants
• Do 215 V1 - Initial Prototype Model based on the Do 17 Z-0; lost to accident.
• Do 215 V2 - Second Prototype Model; fitted with French Gnome-Rhone 14-cylinder radial engines.
• Do 215 V3 - Third Prototype Model; fitted with 2 x Daimler-Benz DB 601Ba series inline piston engines.
• Do 215 A-1 - Swedish Export Production Model Designation; 18 aircraft produced.
• Do 215 B-0 - Bomber / Reconnaissance Variant; 3 x A-1 models with FuG 10; intended for Swedish export.
• Do 215B - Base Designation of Standard Production Models.
• Do 215 B-1 - Fifteen late production Swedish A-1 models redesignated for Luftwaffe use.
• Do 215 B-2 - Reconnaissance Variant; 3 x Rb 50/30 series cameras in revised bomb bay.
• Do 215 B-3 - Two Production Aircraft based on B-2 models; sold to Soviet Union.
• Do 215 B-4 - Reconnaissance Variant based on the B-2 model; fitted with Rb 20/30 and Rb 50/30 series cameras.
• Do 215 B-5 "Kauz III" - Dedicated Night-Fighter; 20 conversion aircraft from B-1 and B-4 models; IR searchlight in nose; FuG 202 navigation; 4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns in nose; 2 x 20mm MG FF cannons in lower nose.
• Do 215 V1 - Initial Prototype Model based on the Do 17 Z-0; lost to accident.
• Do 215 V2 - Second Prototype Model; fitted with French Gnome-Rhone 14-cylinder radial engines.
• Do 215 V3 - Third Prototype Model; fitted with 2 x Daimler-Benz DB 601Ba series inline piston engines.
• Do 215 A-1 - Swedish Export Production Model Designation; 18 aircraft produced.
• Do 215 B-0 - Bomber / Reconnaissance Variant; 3 x A-1 models with FuG 10; intended for Swedish export.
• Do 215B - Base Designation of Standard Production Models.
• Do 215 B-1 - Fifteen late production Swedish A-1 models redesignated for Luftwaffe use.
• Do 215 B-2 - Reconnaissance Variant; 3 x Rb 50/30 series cameras in revised bomb bay.
• Do 215 B-3 - Two Production Aircraft based on B-2 models; sold to Soviet Union.
• Do 215 B-4 - Reconnaissance Variant based on the B-2 model; fitted with Rb 20/30 and Rb 50/30 series cameras.
• Do 215 B-5 "Kauz III" - Dedicated Night-Fighter; 20 conversion aircraft from B-1 and B-4 models; IR searchlight in nose; FuG 202 navigation; 4 x 7.92mm MG 17 machine guns in nose; 2 x 20mm MG FF cannons in lower nose.