Dornier Do 24-T Sea Rescue Aircraft Deutsche Luftwaffe
Kit:Italeri 1:72
Before World War II, the Do 24 was Designed by Dornierwerke and built under License in the Netherlands by Order of the Dutch Government. When the Netherlands was occupied by German Troops in1940, they encountered numerous Do 24 Flying Boats. The Air Ministry was Looking for a suitable Flying Boat to Rescue the Crews of Downed Aircraft and Found a suitable Aircraft in the Netherlands: the Do 24. It Combined exzellent Navigation capabilities even in Rough Seas with a large Capacity, sufficient Range, and Speed.
In1941, the Germans therefore resumed Production of the Dornier Do 24 in the Netherlands. To adapt the Aircraft for its specific Missions, Various Modifications were Made and implemented: Equipment was installed on the right Side to Facilitate Rescue Operations. Beds and first-aid Kits were installed in the Fusslage. Radio and Control Systems were Improved, and a 7.9 mm MG 15 was Mounted in the front and rear Canopies as defensive Armament. A 20 mm Hispano Suiza Canon was Mounted in the Center Cockpit, which was Later replaced by an MG 151.
At first, American Wright Engines and Later BMW Engines were installed. The Dornier Do 24s were Formed into so-called Sea Rescue Squadrons and deployed on all European Seas, including the Arctic Ocean. In February/March 1943, a unit was deployed to supply the Kuban Bridge Head. Later, the Do 24 Flying Boats were also used in the Aegean Sea and the Balkans. In the Mediterranean, the Do 24s were deployed from the Siracusa Flying Boat Support Base.Other Bases were Located in France (Brest, Cherbourg, Boulogne), in Norway in the Baltic States, and on Sylt. Do 24s were also used in the Indian Ocean against the Japanese Air Force. In1944, a Squadron was Delivered to Spain, and one remained in Service until 1970.Technical Specifications: Wingspan: 27 m, Length: 22.05 m, Empty Weight: 9,400 kg, maximum Weight: 16,200 kg, maximum Speed: 330 km/h at 2,600 m Altitude, Range: 4,700 km with a Full Load, Engines: Three BMW Bramo 323 R-29 Cylinders, Air-Cooled, 1,000 hp; Armament: one 20 mm Hispano Suiza 404 Canon or one MG 151two MG 15s, 7.9 mm Caliber, Crew: Six.
Beautiful result, Hans Peter. How did the kit build? I have one in the stash which I intend to backdate to a Netherlands East Indies example.
Hello John, yes, the kit is easy to build, but I think it could use a Few More Details, including the Decals. Attaching the Wing requires a bit of Patience. That means first Attaching the struts in the Center and letting them dry thoroughly. Then attach the Wings and Balance them. Let them dry thoroughly, and it shouldn't be a Problem. Then attach the prefabricated Side struts. Happy Building.
Thank you.
Nice job. Looks great. I built this about 10 years ago and recalled the fit was pretty good. Just a tidbit, one was converted to a Turbo Prop I believe in the early 1980's.
Do 24 ATT
Post-war restoration/amphibian conversion with three Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-45 turboprop engines, one converted.
1 attached image. Click to enlarge.
G’day Hans (@messerschmitt),
This is a beautiful flying boat and one aircraft I really wanted to build back in my youth when I built 1/72 aircraft.
Now, in 1/48 it would be a huge beast.
You have done a wonderful job and the water diorama is a great way of displaying it.
I hadn’t realised that they were all built in the Netherlands.
I’m not sure about their use over the Indian Ocean. With the Japanese advance, the NEI aircraft evacuated refugees to Broome in the north west of Australia and just south of Timor.
Five survivors found their way into the RAAF, where they were used as transports between Queensland and New Guinea.
The only survivor was converted into a houseboat as this 1990s photo shows.
I believe it is under restoration.
Again, a great build.
Liked!
Excellent result, Hans Peter!
That's a beautiful build, Hans Peter @messerschmitt
The Do24 is such a wonderful airplane. We do have one on display in the National Military Museum in the Netherlands.
A beauty! One of our club build themes for 2026 (each monthly meeting carries a theme) is "Three's A Crowd" (anything with three of a main feature - tails, turrets, engines), and I was thinking something Italian, but I think I'll go this route. I've been waiting for an excuse to build some German seaplanes...
Excellent result. I built this one quite a few years ago, one of my favorites. Would love to have one in 1:48!
Great looking build on all accounts, Hans.
Amazing diorama, Hans Peter.
The Dornier looks amazing and the water base is also very impressive work.
Hey Georg,Thank you for the compliment.
Great! What components do you Use to make sea diorama?