Dornier Do 24

The Dornier Do 24 was a German three‑engine flying boat developed by the Dornier company in the late 1930s. First flight took place on 15 May 1937, and the type entered service with the Luftwaffe as a maritime patrol, transport and air‑sea rescue aircraft. Its distinctive high‑wing, gull‑shaped configuration housed a robust all‑metal hull and was powered by three 850 hp BMW 132 radial engines, later replaced by Bramo 323 versions. The Do 24 could carry up to 30 passengers or a mixed cargo‑troop load, and its long‑range capability (approximately 2,500 km) allowed it to operate over the North Sea, Baltic and Mediterranean theaters. During World War II the aircraft performed crucial rescue missions, ferrying downed pilots and supplies, and it saw service not only with Germany but also with Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, many of which built license‑produced examples after the war. Post‑war, the Do 24 continued as a civilian transport and firefighting platform, demonstrating the durability of Dornier’s amphibious design. Its versatility and ruggedness cemented the Do 24’s reputation as one of the most successful flying boats of the era. The Do 24 remains a celebrated example of interwar engineering excellence.

Dornier

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Design & Classification