Dornier Do P.247

The Dornier Do P.247 was a prototype heavy transport aircraft developed by the German manufacturer Dornier in the early 1950s. Conceived as a response to post‑war demand for a modern, high‑capacity cargo plane, the Do P.247 incorporated several innovative design elements that set it apart from contemporaries. Its all‑metal, low‑wing monoplane layout featured a fully pressurised fuselage capable of carrying up to 30 tonnes of freight or 80 passengers, while a pair of powerful BMW 801 radial engines mounted on the wings delivered a maximum speed of 560 km/h and a range of 3,500 km. Unique to the type were its retractable, double‑deck cargo doors and a built‑in hydraulic loading system that allowed rapid turnaround on unprepared airfields. Although only two prototypes were built before the programme was cancelled in 1957 due to shifting market needs and competition from American designs such as the C‑130, the Do P.247 demonstrated Dornier’s expertise in advanced aerodynamics and structural engineering. Its development paved the way for later Dornier projects, most notably the successful Do 228 and the modern Dornier 328, cementing the company’s reputation as a pioneer in versatile transport aircraft.