DORNIER

Dornier Flugzeugwerke was a renowned German aircraft manufacturer, with a rich history spanning over a century. Founded in Friedrichshafen in 1914 by Claude Dornier, the company produced a multitude of designs for both the civil and military markets. Originally known as Dornier Metallbau, the company acquired Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen’s production facilities, including those in Weingarten and Warnemünde, when it failed in 1923. Dornier became famous between the two world wars as a manufacturer of large, all-metal flying boats and of land-based airliners. The company’s most notable aircraft designs include the Komet (Comet), the Merkur (Mercury), and the record-breaking Wal (Whale), which was used on several long-distance flights and the Do X, holding the distinction of being the largest and heaviest aircraft of its era. Due to the restrictions placed on German aircraft manufacturers by the Treaty of Versailles, Dornier built its aircraft outside of Germany for much of the interwar period. These locations included Altenrhein in Switzerland, Zeppelin’s Lindau (Bodensee) location, CMASA and Piaggio in Italy, CASA in Spain, Kawasaki in Japan, and Aviolanda in the Netherlands. After the Nazi government came to power and abandoned the treaty’s restrictions, Dornier resumed production in Germany. During World War II, the company’s most important military aircraft design was the Do 17, nicknamed The Flying Pencil. Despite its narrow fuselage, the Do 17 was not commercially viable and was eventually abandoned. Dornier’s success during its long lifespan led it to be acquired by Fairchild Aircraft in 1996 and later succeed by Airbus.