Description
You are bidding on a FANTASTIC relic example of a WW2 German Luftwaffe Round Wartungklappe (Service Hatch) used ONLY on the Dornier Do17 Bomber Aircraft! This was recovered from a Do17 P-1 recconaicance version that was lost over the Eastern Front (though I do not have any specific history at this time.
The Dornier Do17 is a twin-engined light bomber designed and produced by the German aircraft manufacturer Dornier Flugzeugwerke. Large numbers were operated by the Luftwaffe throughout the Second World War. The Do17 was designed during the early 1930s as a Schnellbomber (“fast bomber”) that was intended to use its speed to outrun opposing fighter aircraft. It was a lightly built aircraft, possessing a twin tail, “shoulder wing” and typically powered by a pair of Bramo 323P radial engines.
The first prototype made its maiden flight on 23 November 1934; it entered regular service with the Luftwaffe three years later. Sometimes referred to as the Fliegender Bleistift (“flying pencil”) or the Eversharp, the Do 17 was a relatively popular aircraft among its crews due to its handling, especially at low altitude, which made the type harder to hit than other German bombers of the era.
Production of the Do 17 ended in mid-1940 in favour of the newer and more powerful Junkers Ju88. The successor of the Do17 was the much more powerful Dornier Do217, which started to appear in quantity during 1942. The type was not withdrawn at this point; instead, the Do17 continued to serve with the Luftwaffe during the latter years of the conflict in various secondary roles, including as a glider tug, research, and trainer aircraft. A considerable number were transferred to other Axis-aligned nations, including the Finnish Air Force, Bulgarian Air Force and the Spanish Air Force amongst others.
The Do 17P-1 was powered by two BMW 132N radial engines with a maximum performance of 865 PS (853 hp (636 kW) each. Similar to the Do17 M-1, it featurd and added blind flying and camera equipment for reconnaissance work…as well as several radio variations – the FuG IIIaU radio (Funkgerät), the PeilG V direction finder (PeilG – Peilgerät) and the FuBI 1 radio blind-landing device (FuBI – Funkblindlandegerät). The crew of three communicated with each other via the EiV intercom (EiV -Eigenverständigungsanlage). The P-1 was equipped with either Rb 20/30 and Rb 50/30 or Rb 20/18 and Rb 50/18 cameras. The P-1/trop was fitted with filters and protection for the cameras. The cameras were controlled remotely by the crew from the cockpit.
This hatch was located on the upper wing of the Do17 Bomber. One of THREE hatches located there, it allowed access to the main filling port for the fuel tanks.
Made of aluminum, this is an SUPERB relic piece! There is some marks and wear due to the age, however it is still VERY solid! It retains 95% of its original RLM62 and RLM02 camouflage paint, as well as a handwritten Do17 marking on the reverse indicating:
Do-17
W.N. 1078
Measuring approx. 10″ in diameter, this is a VERY RARE hatch, as they usually were destroyed upon impact. I have shown its location in the last image. One of the NICEST I have ever seen of its type, it would make a PERFECT addition to any collection, restoration, or simply as a conversation piece!
