[Coming Soon] Do 217 M-1: The Bomb Express

Historical Note

The Do 217 M modification was the last of the Dornier series-produced line of multi-role bombers. In 1942, due to a shortage of BMW 801D engines, engineers quickly adapted the aircraft to operate with DB.603A engines. This also required changing the propellers from three-bladed to four-bladed. The redesign showed better speed performance due to the increased power of the new engines.

The basic version of the Do 217 M-1 was used mainly for bombing missions in Great Britain. The Luftwaffe received the M-1 modification in relatively small quantities, as part of the fuselage was converted to the N (night) modification. In addition, a prototype series of M-11 was produced on the basis of the aircraft to launch guided weapons.

Do 217 М-1 (Rank VII)

SWOT Analysis

• Strengths: bomb payload up to 4 tons, torpedoes, good speed.
• Weaknesses: tight crew layout, mediocre defensive capabilities.
• Opportunities: equally good as a high-altitude bomber, dive bomber, and low-altitude bombing raids.
• Threats: interceptor fighters.

In battle

The Do 217 M-1 is one of the best representatives of the Dornier front-line bomber series, one of the brightest symbols of the Western Front of World War II. This modification received new, more powerful engines produced by Daimler-Benz, while retaining a very high payload and a wide variety of options for the layout of different caliber bombs.

The Do 217 M-1 has bombs from 50 to 1000 kg, which are grouped in sets for different tasks on the battlefield. Going to destroy fortified bases and other strategic targets? Then choose the 1000 kg bombs. Want to bomb the ground vehicles? Take into battle sets of 250-kg or 500-kg bombs, a good compromise between the striking power and the number of bombs on the hangers. In total, the Do 217 M-1 can carry up to 4 tons of bombs. This is an excellent result for a front-line bomber! The aircraft can also be used to destroy ships – it can be loaded with a pair of F5W torpedoes.

The Do 217 M-1 is a pretty fast airplane. Of course, it can't compete with most fighters, but it can outrun a strike aircraft or an early heavy fighter. Of course, the maximum speed directly depends on the weight of the payload. For example, a set of four 1000-kg bombs will make it difficult to gain altitude and limit the speed of horizontal flight.

The Do 217 M-1 crew layout is very tight: the pilot and all four gunners are grouped in the front of the fuselage, which reduces its survivability. Formally, the crew is covered by armor plates, but they can withstand only rifle caliber bullets – quite poor protection. However, the pretty strong airframe design, good controllability in case of damage and the possibility to fight even on a single engine are arguments that increase the survivability of the Do 217 M-1!

Premium ♠Do 217 М-1♠︎ (Rank VII)

The Premium variant of the ♠Do 217 М-1♠︎ is an extra plane for your roster! The premium warplane maintains the same performance as the standard variant, though it comes in a unique camouflage. With this premium warplane you’ll be able to enjoy faster Silver Lion and Research Point gains, and earn some Golden Eagles in your battles.

If you’re lucky enough to unlock both the premium and the standard variants, you will be able to use them both in the same battle!

*Vehicle specifications and camouflages are still work in progress and may differ on release.

The Do 217 М-1 (Rank VII) will appear in the game in the “Frozen Front” update in the Medium and Big Trophies of the Aviation Campaign.