Dornier Do 217 Aircraft Aeroplane Manuals Collection – E-Series

This is a carefully curated, scholarly collection of original technical documentation for the Dornier Do 217 E-series — one of the Luftwaffe's most capable medium bombers of the Second World War. Spanning aircraft handbooks, flight operating instructions, armament manuals, illustrated parts catalogs, and wartime intelligence reports, this collection provides an unparalleled depth of primary-source material for historians, restorers, and aviation researchers.

Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates

This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional Do 217 documentation, technical bulletins, or variant-specific materials, we update this collection and provide free lifetime updates to all purchasers. Your one-time purchase guarantees access to all future additions and improvements to this collection.

Historical Note

The Dornier Do 217 emerged from Dornier Werke GmbH's ambition to produce a significantly more capable successor to the Do 17 — the famous "flying pencil." Retaining the twin-boom aesthetic of its predecessor, the Do 217 featured a substantially deeper fuselage, a wingspan extended by approximately one metre over the Do 17Z, and a completely redesigned internal structure to accommodate heavier bomb loads and more sophisticated equipment.

The E-series, powered by two BMW 801 A/C/L 14-cylinder two-row air-cooled radial engines producing approximately 1,580–1,700 hp each, entered Luftwaffe service from 1941 and became the primary production variant. It served as a medium bomber, maritime strike aircraft, and experimental testbed. A novel "petal-type" dive-brake assembly was housed in the tail section to meet dive-bomber requirements, though this was later found ineffective on the heavier airframe and was removed from many E-4 aircraft in service. The horizontal stabilizer featured electrically adjustable incidence (10° down to 2° up), synchronized with the flaps — a sophisticated engineering solution for its era.

The E-series saw extensive operational service over Britain, the Mediterranean, and the Eastern Front. Its effectiveness as a conventional bomber was increasingly challenged by strengthening Allied fighter defenses after mid-1941, prompting Dornier and the RLM to explore guided-weapon integration — the Do 217 became a key testbed for the Henschel Hs 293 anti-ship guided missile and experimental Lorin-Sänger ramjet systems. Defensive armament varied across sub-variants, with the E-3 adding 20mm MG FF cannons for level bombing operations.

Performance data from period documents records a maximum speed of 520 km/h (323 mph) at 18,000 ft, a service ceiling of 9,500 m (unloaded) or 7,370 m at maximum bomb load, a range of 2,180 km (normal) or 2,500 km with auxiliary tanks, and a maximum bomb load of 4,000 kg (2,520 kg internally). The BMW 801 powerplant featured a two-speed centrifugal supercharger and a pioneering multi-plunger high-pressure fuel injection pump developed by Friedrich Deckel — a significant engineering achievement documented in the engine technical notes within this collection.

Manuals Included in This Collection

Do 217 E Aircraft Handbooks (Flugzeug-Handbuch)

• Do 217 E Aircraft Handbook – Flugzeug-Handbuch (German Language)
• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Aircraft Handbook – Flugzeug-Handbuch (German Language)
• Do 217 E-5 Aircraft Handbook – Flugzeug-Handbuch (German Language)

Do 217 E Armament Documentation

• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Armament Operating Instructions – Bedienungsvorschrift-Wa (German Language)
• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Aircraft Handbook Part 8A: Fixed Firearms – Flugzeug-Handbuch 8A Schußwaffenanlage (German Language)
• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Aircraft Handbook Part 8B: Special Fittings – Flugzeug-Handbuch 8B Abwurfwaffenanlage (German Language)
• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Aircraft Handbook Part 8D: Special Fittings – Flugzeug-Handbuch Teil 8D: Sondereinbauten (German Language)

Do 217 E Flight Manuals (Bedienungsvorschrift Fl)

• Do 217 E-1, E-3 Flight Operating Instructions Manual – Bedienungsvorschrift Fl (German Language)
• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Flight Operating Instructions Manual – Bedienungsvorschrift Fl (German Language)
• Do 217 E-5 Flight Operating Instructions Manual – Bedienungsvorschrift Fl (German Language)

Do 217 E Spare Parts Lists (Ersatzteilliste)

• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalog – Ersatzteilliste (German Language)
• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalog: Weapon Equipment in Outer Wing Right (Rüstsatz 10 K) – ETL-Wa im Außenflügel rechts (German Language)
• Do 217 E-2, E-4 Aircraft Illustrated Parts Catalog: Weapon Equipment in Rear Fuselage – ETL-Wa im Rumpfhinterteil (German Language)

Do 217 E Slides, Photos and Brochures

• Do 217 E-2 Aircraft Instructional Image Series – Lehrbildreihe (German Language)

Engineering Norms and Standards

The Do 217 E-series was designed and produced under Luftwaffe technical standards (Technische Vorschriften) and RLM (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) engineering directives. The Flugzeug-Handbuch series follows the standard German military aircraft documentation structure, covering structural details, wiring diagrams, equipment layouts, and maintenance procedures. The BMW 801 powerplant documentation reflects Luftwaffe engine maintenance standards, including propeller pitch control via hydraulic pump and electric motor, engine-driven cooling fan specifications, and "muff type" cabin and wing leading-edge de-icing systems. British wartime intelligence documentation (AERO VII series) provides independent aerodynamic analysis and three-view drawings, offering a valuable cross-reference to the primary German sources.

Aerodynamic Reports and Performance Data

This collection includes British Intelligence Report (AERO VII): a detailed wartime analysis of the Do 217 E-1 including three-view drawings and aerodynamic data tables. Dive-brake studies document the "petal-type" tail brake designed for dive bombing and its operational limitations. Variant performance sheets record the E-4's maximum altitude of 7,500 m and takeoff run of approximately 850 m. Early stability trial notes document the poor directional stability of the V1 and V3 prototypes and the design refinements incorporated into the production E-series, including the twin fins and rudders adopted to manage yawing moments.

Format and Delivery

All documents are delivered as high-resolution digital PDFs, optimized for screen reading and printing. Files are organized by variant and document type for ease of reference. Instant download upon purchase — no waiting, no shipping. Compatible with all PDF readers on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Disclaimer

All documents in this collection are historical reference materials intended for research, restoration, and educational purposes. They do not constitute current airworthiness documentation. Trade names and designations are the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Sicuro Publishing.