The Dornier Do 335 "Pfeil" (Arrow) stands as one of the most technically audacious aircraft of the Second World War — a high-speed, push-pull twin-engine fighter that redefined what a piston-powered aircraft could achieve. This collection brings together the essential German and Allied technical documentation covering Variants A and B, providing restorers, historians, and aviation engineers with the primary source material needed to understand this extraordinary machine.

Definitive Collection with Free Lifetime Updates: This is a living collection that we continuously expand and refine. As we acquire additional Do 335 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

Designed by Claude Dornier and his engineering team at Dornier-Werke GmbH, the Do 335 emerged from a long-standing patent for the push-pull (Huckepack) centerline-thrust (CLT) configuration — a layout Dornier had first explored in the 1930s. The aircraft was conceived as a high-speed day fighter and destroyer (Zerstörer), with the tandem engine arrangement eliminating asymmetric thrust — the bane of conventional twin-engine designs — while dramatically reducing frontal drag. Studies confirmed the CLT configuration was superior to wing-mounted twin engines: the Do 335 flew roughly 12% faster and climbed significantly faster than contemporary twin-engine fighters such as the Me 410.

Powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 603A (later E-1/G) inverted V-12 liquid-cooled engines — one tractor, one pusher — the Do 335 A-1 achieved a maximum speed of approximately 763–770 km/h (474–480 mph) at altitude, making it the fastest piston-engine aircraft of the war. Its service ceiling reached 11,400 m (37,400 ft), and operational range extended to approximately 1,380 km on internal fuel. The initial climb rate of ~1,400 m/min was exceptional for any aircraft of the era.

The cruciform tail — featuring vertical fins and rudders both above and below the fuselage — provided excellent control and stability. A ventral fin protected the rear propeller during takeoff and landing. For emergency egress, the dorsal fin and rear propeller were jettisoned via explosive bolts, and the aircraft incorporated a downward-firing ejection seat — a remarkable safety innovation for its time. Test pilots at the Rechlin Proving Grounds described the aircraft as stable, docile, and surprisingly maneuverable, with no dangerous spin characteristics and impressive single-engine performance.

Known weaknesses included rear engine overheating — necessitating special ducting that was a recurring engineering challenge — and landing gear prone to failure under the aircraft's heavy loaded weight of approximately 9,600 kg. Originally conceived as a Schnellbomber (fast bomber), the Do 335 was adapted for multiple roles including the Do 335 A-6 night fighter and ground-attack variants. Post-war Allied evaluation (1945–48) was conducted by both the U.S. Navy and British forces. Only approximately 37–48 aircraft were completed before the war's end, with many destroyed prior to capture. The sole surviving example — a Do 335 A-12 — is preserved and restored at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center. Further developments included the planned Do 435 (with Jumo 213 engines) and the twin-fuselage Do 635 long-range reconnaissance concept.

Manuals Included in This Collection

Variant A (3 Manuals)

• Do 335 A Aircraft Handbook — Do 335 A-1 Aircraft Handbook, Flugzeug-Handbuch (German Language)
• Do 335 A Operating Instructions — Do 335 A-6 Night Fighter, Short Operating Instructions Sheet, Kurz-Betriebsanweisung (German Language)
• Do 335 A Radio and Equipment — Do 335 A-1 Aircraft, General Equipment List, Allgemeine Gerätliste (German Language)

Variant B (1 Manual)

• Do 335 B Operating Instructions

This collection spans both the primary production A-series and the developmental B-series, covering aircraft handbooks, operational procedures, night fighter configurations, and general equipment inventories — the core documentation suite for any serious Do 335 research or restoration project.

Engineering Norms and Standards

The Do 335 was developed under Luftwaffe Technische Vorschriften (technical specifications) and Dornier's own engineering standards, with documentation sourced from original RLM (Reichsluftfahrtministerium) wartime reports and postwar Allied technical evaluations. Key parameters documented across this collection include:

• Powerplant: Two Daimler-Benz DB 603A (later E-1/G) inverted V-12, liquid-cooled; ~1,750 PS (1,726 hp) per engine for takeoff; higher outputs in later variants
• Propellers: Two 3-bladed VDM constant-speed propellers — tractor (front) and pusher (rear)
• Rear Engine Cooling: Individual radiators; rear engine prone to overheating, addressed through special ducting in production refinements
• Maximum Speed: ~763–770 km/h at altitude; ~608 km/h at sea level
• Service Ceiling: ~11,400 m (37,400 ft)
• Operational Range: ~1,380 km internal fuel
• Empty Weight: ~7,400 kg (16,314 lb); MTOW ~9,600 kg (21,164 lb)
• Armament (A-1): One 30mm MK 103 cannon (propeller hub), two 15mm MG 151/15 cannons (cowl)
• Construction: All-metal airframe; cruciform tail with ventral fin; explosive-bolt emergency egress; downward-firing ejection seat
• Structural Notes: Landing gear noted as weak and prone to failure, particularly in heavier late-stage variants
• Allied Evaluation: Post-war testing conducted 1945–48 by U.S. Navy and British forces; primary surviving documentation held by the Smithsonian Institution

Format and Delivery

All manuals are delivered as high-resolution digital PDF files, compressed into a downloadable archive. Files are compatible with all major PDF readers on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Print-friendly formatting is preserved throughout. Download links are provided immediately upon purchase and remain accessible via your order confirmation.

Note: Files are delivered as compressed archives (RAR/ZIP). You will need a free extraction tool such as WinRAR or 7-Zip (Windows) or The Unarchiver (Mac) to access the PDF files.

Disclaimer

These documents are provided for historical reference and research purposes only. They do not constitute airworthiness guidance and should not be used as the basis for any maintenance, repair, or operational decisions on any aircraft. All trade names and designations remain the property of their respective owners. Copyright © Sicuro Publishing.