Do 217K-1, WWII German bomber

Do 217K-1, WWII German bomber

In 1914, renowned German airship manufacturer Count Zeppelin established a special design bureau within his company, led by Claudius Dornier. This bureau later evolved into Dornier—one of the Third Reich’s leading aircraft manufacturing firms. The company specialized primarily in producing bombers and maritime aircraft, with the Do 17 and Do 217 series becoming their most notable bomber productions.

The Do 217K-1 bomber was a variant of the basic Do 217 model, featuring a modified front fuselage section. Its new cockpit integrated the upper canopy into a single unit, creating more crew space and enhancing pilot visibility. Powered by twin BMW 80ID engines, the aircraft could reach 515 km/h at 4,000 meters. The bomber featured robust defensive armament at five points (later expanded to seven) and could carry a maximum bomb load of 4,000 kg.

The first Do 217K-1 prototype flew on March 21, 1942, with serial production beginning in autumn of the same year. Though initially conceived as a night bomber, it served in both daytime and nighttime strike operations across Western Europe and the Mediterranean region.