Dornier Libelle Explained
The
Dornier Libelle (en:"Dragonfly I"), also designated
Do A, was a German open-cockpit, all-metal, parasol wing,
monoplane flying boat aircraft, with partly fabric-covered wings. There was three versions of the seaplane version; the prototype, first version, and improved version (the Libelle 2). A landplane version, built without
sponsons and fitted with a fixed
tailwheel undercarriage was produced as the
Dornier Spatz.
[1] Variants
- Do A
Two prototypes of the Libelle[2]
- Libelle I
The standard production model, five built, fitted with Siemens-Halske Sh 4 engines and two built with 59.7abbr=onNaNabbr=on Siemens-Halske Sh 5 engines.[2]
- Libelle II
The improved Libelle II was powered by Siemens-Halske Sh 5 or 75abbr=onNaNabbr=on Siemens-Halske Sh 11 engines. Other engines fitted to Libelle II aircraft include the Bristol Lucifer and the ADC Cirrus. Three built.[2] Accidents
A Dornier Libelle crashed into the sea off Milford beach in Auckland, New Zealand on 12 December 1929, killing both crewmen.[3]
Survivor
A Libelle II VQ-FAB, manufacturers number 117 built in 1925, which operated in Fiji, is displayed in the Deutsches Museum in the centre of Munich.[4]
References
- Web site: Do A Libelle. histaviation.com. 27 February 2012. Germany.
- Encyclopedia: Donald, David. The Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. 347. Prospero Books. 1997. 1-85605-375-X.
- Book: Ogden, Bob. Aviation Museums and Collections of Mainland Europe. 2006. Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd. Tonbridge, Kent. 0-85130-375-7.
External links
Notes and References
- Web site: Dornier Spatz. 25 February 2012. Germany.
- Web site: Do A Libelle. histaviation.com. 27 February 2012. Germany.
- https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NA19291213.2.32?query=captain Tragedy at Milford
- Ogden, 2006. p. 202
