72272 DORNIER DO 26 V2

The Dornier Do 26 was a German long-range seaplane in a metal structure spine-wing configuration. The drive was provided (in the C version) by four Junkers Juno-205 engines up to 880 HP each. The flight of the prototype took place in 1938, and serial production began in the same year and lasted only until 1939, ending with the production of only 6 examples of this aircraft. By 1945, the last Do 26 had been withdrawn from the Luftwaffe. The Dornier Do 26, sometimes referred to as "the most beautiful seaplane in the history of aviation", was created in connection with a very unusual order by Lufthansa for a sea-going mail plane. During World War II, the Luftwaffe became interested in Do 26. Three versions of the aircraft were developed in the course of production: Do 26A and Do 26B were civilian versions. In 1939, a military version (DO 26C) was created, powered by Jumo 205 engines and armed with a 20 mm cannon and three MG15 machine guns. All the Do 26 produced took part in the 1940 operation to seize Norway. Three machines were lost in the course of this campaign.