The Dornier Do 23 was a development of the Dornier Do 11
Development[]
After the disastrous experience with the Do 11, it was only a slight improvement to fly the Do 13. and this in its turn suffered from un-acceptable structural and handling faults. Eventually the restressed D0 13e was flown, with span further reduced, Junkers double-wing flaps/ailerons, BMW engines and all other Do 11/13 modifications that had been found to work. Though still no great bomber, at least the 13e was acceptable. so the 222 production-aircraft contract was transferred a second time. For psychological reasons the designation was changed to Do 23, and in 1935 deliveries began to the new Fliegergruppen. Nearly all the production machines — not 222 but 210 were built - were of the G sub~type with improved engine cooling-systems. Clearly Dornier-Werke, the newly formed German parent company, could deliver the lumbering machines at a high rate, because production was complete before 1936. By this time it was already on the way out of the Luftwaffe's new Kampfgruppen. and relegated to training and various utility tasks.
Specification[]
- Origin: Dornier-Werke GmbH.
- Type: Heavy bomber:
- Engines: Two 750hp BMW Vld vee-12 water-cooled, (G) 750hp BMW VIU liquid-cooled (ethylene glycol).
- Dimensions: Span 83ft 8in (25.50m); length 61ft 8 1/4 in (18.80m); height 17ft 8 1/2in (5.40m).
- Weights: Empty (G) 12,346|b (5600kg); maximum 2O,282lb (9200kg).
- Performance: Maximum speed (G) 161mph (259km/h); maximum range at 1l6mph (187km/h), 840 miles (1352km).
- Armament: Three manually aimed 7.92mm lMG 15 in nose, dorsal and ventral positions; internal bomb load of 2,205lb (1000kg).
- History: First flight (13) 13 February 1933. (13e) 1 September 1934; service delivery (23F) May 1935.