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| Do 12 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Flying boat |
| National origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer | Dornier Flugzeugwerke |
| History | |
| First flight | 23 June 1932 |
TheDornier Do 12Libelle III ("Dragonfly III") was the third of a line of smallGermanflying boats of the 1930s. It started with theDornier A Libelle I and theDornier A Libelle II, though the Do 12 was not a continuation, but an entirely new aircraft.
The aircraft was amphibious and would carry three to four passengers. It was powered by a singleArgus As 10 engine initially, then aGnome-Rhône 5Ke Titan engine, mounted above the wing. It first flew in1932 and went on to be used by theDFS to towgliders.
The Do 12 was a high-wingmonoplane, of usual Dornier all-metal construction, with a two-spar, trapezoidal wing, whosetrailing edge was very strongly rounded at theroot. Thefuselage was of rectangular cross-section.
A storage area was in the nose, where equipment, including anchors, could be kept. Behind it, the opencockpit had two side-by-side seats, with optional dual controls. In thecabin, there were two more seats and a storage area, which could also be fitted with bunks for sleeping. Between the cockpit and cabin were nacelles which accommodated the retractedundercarriage wheels, a first for Dornier, which were lowered or raised manually by a crank. The engine sat on a stand high above the wing, alongside twofuel tanks, inpusher configuration.
From the first flight on 23 June 1932, and in the further course of testing, it was obvious that the Argus engine was underpowered, making takeoff distances substantially too long. However, financial difficulties in the company meant that fitting the stronger Gnome-Rhône Titan 5Ke took some time.
FatherPaul Schulte, a missionary known as the "Flying Priest", used the Do 12 "D-INEZ" for many years and in his various books it plays an important role.
Data fromDie Deutsche Luftrüstung 1933–1945[1]
General characteristics
Performance
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