Dornier Flugzeugwerke

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Dornier logo.

Dornier Flugzeugwerke was a German aircraft manufacturer founded in Friedrichshafen in 1914 by Claudius Dornier. Over the course of its long lifespan, the company produced many notable designs for both the civil and military markets.

[edit] History

Dornier, originally Dornier Metallbau rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s in aviation and as a manufacturer of large flying boats, remarkable at the time for their all-metal construction. These included the Wal ("Whale") of 1924 and the colossal Do X. Dornier also built a series of successful land planes, including the Komet ("Comet") and Merkur ("Mercury") that were used by Luft Hansa and other European carriers during the 1920s and early 30s. Of note, Dornier built its aircraft outside Germany, during much of this period, in compliance with the restrictions placed on German aircraft manufacturers by the Treaty of Versailles. Foreign factories licence-building Dornier products included CMASA and Piaggio in Italy, CASA in Spain, Kawasaki in Japan, and Aviolanda in the Netherlands. Once the Nazi government came to power and abandoned the treaty's restrictions, Dornier resumed production in Germany.

Dassault-Breguet/Dornier Alpha Jet of the UK defence technology organisation QinetiQ

Dornier's most significant military aircraft design before and during World War II was the Do 17, nicknamed The Flying Pencil. It was developed and first flown in 1934 as a commercial aircraft in competition for a Lufthansa contract. Due to its narrow fuselage (hence its nickname) it was not commercially attractive and was passed over by Lufthansa. Dornier then further developed it as a military aircraft with a prototype bomber first flying in 1935. It was employed by Loyalist forces in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War. Production continued within Germany and this versatile two-engined aircraft was developed by the Luftwaffe into multiple combat variations. The medium bomber variant saw much service during the early part of World War II including extensive use in the Battle of Britain. It was later developed into an effective nightfighter to defend Germany from the RAF bomber offensive. Of note, Dornier also developed the fastest piston-engined fighter of the war, the two-engined Do 335, introduced too late to enter combat service.

After WWII, aircraft production was again forbidden in Germany, and Dornier relocated to Spain and then to Switzerland where the firm provided aeronautical consultancy services until once again returning to Germany in 1954. Post-war, Dornier quickly re-established itself with highly successful small STOL transports such as the Do 27 and Do 28. Additionally, in 1974 it developed the Alpha Jet as part of a joint venture with French aircraft manufacturers Dassault-Breguet. The plane was well received and established itself as the new standard NATO trainer during the 1970s and 80s.

In 1985 Dornier became a member of the Daimler-Benz group integrating its aeronautic assets with the parent company. As part of this transaction, Lindauer DORNIER GmbH was spun-off, creating a separate, family-owned firm, concentrating on textile machinery design and manufacturing.

In 1996 the majority of Dornier was acquired by Fairchild Aircraft, forming Fairchild Dornier. This company became insolvent in early 2002. Production of its 328Jet was acquired by US company Avcraft. Asian interests continued to show interest in its 728 version in August, 2004, but production had not re-started.

Dornier Medtech manufactures medical equipment, such as the Dornier S lithotriptor to treat kidney stones.