Dornier Do P

The Dornier Do P, also known as the Dornier Wal, was a pioneering German flying boat developed by Claude Dornier’s company in the early 1920s. First flown in 1922, the Do P originated from the successful Dornier N series of reconnaissance seaplanes and quickly became one of the most versatile maritime aircraft of its era. Its high‑wing, twin‑engine configuration employed two powerful 450‑hp BMW IIIa inline engines mounted in a push‑pull arrangement on a sturdy braced wing, providing excellent balance and redundancy over water. The hull featured a patented ‘stressed‑skin’ metal construction that combined aluminium alloy panels with internal longitudinal stringers, delivering both strength and reduced weight compared with earlier wooden flying boats. Capable of carrying up to eight passengers or a modest bomb load, the Do P served civil airlines such as Deutsche Luft Hansa for trans‑Atlantic mail and passenger routes, while also being adopted by several naval forces for patrol, reconnaissance, and search‑and‑rescue missions. Over 300 units were built, and its robustness inspired later Dornier designs, notably the Do 26 and the massive Do 317. The Do P’s reliability, range, and innovative hull design cemented its place as a milestone in early amphibious aviation, influencing both commercial and military seaplane development for decades.

Dornier

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