Dornier Do 29

The Dornier Do 29 was an experimental aircraft developed by Dornier Flugzeugwerke and the Deutsche Versuchsanstalt für Luftfahrt (German Aviation Laboratory) in the 1950s, used to test a tilting-propeller system for short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft. The concept was proved to be successful in flight testing; however, no further development of the system or aircraft was proceeded with, and at the conclusion of its test program the Do 29 was retired.

"Do 29" redirects here. For the original aircraft with this designation, see Dornier Do 29 (1934).
Do 29
Do 29 on display at the Dornier Museum
Role Experimental aircraft
National origin Germany
Manufacturer Dornier Flugzeugwerke
First flight 12 December 1958
Primary user DFL
Produced 2
Developed from Dornier Do 27

Design and development

During the Second World War, Heinrich Focke of Focke-Achgelis, a manufacturer of helicopters, developed a design for a short-takeoff-and-landing aircraft that would utilise a system of pusher propellers, one on each wing in a pusher configuration, to provide downward thrust and enhance lift.[1] Designated Fa 269, the design was not developed due to the state of the war.[1]

In the 1950s, however, a renewed interest in STOL and VTOL aircraft led to a re-evaluation of Focke's concept, and Dornier was given a contract to develop an aircraft capable of demonstrating the tilting-propeller system. The aircraft, given the designation Do 29, was based on the Do 27 light transport, modified with twin Lycoming GO-480 engines mounted below the wings.[1] These engines drove three-bladed, pusher propellers, that were capable of being tilted downwards to an angle of up to 90 degrees, and the engines were coupled so that symmetrical thrust could be maintained in the event of an engine failure.[1]

The forward fuselage was also modified with a helicopter-like cockpit. A Martin-Baker ejection seat was provided for pilot escape in the event of an emergency.[2]

Testing
The Do 29 at the Dornier Museum

Two examples of the Do 29 were constructed, while a third was planned but not built, with the first prototype flying on 12 December 1958.[2] In the following flight testing, the propeller system was not rotated further than 60 degrees as opposed to its nominal 90 degree capability,[1] but the aircraft proved to be highly successful, with a stalling speed of 24 kilometres per hour (15 mph) and exceptional short-field performance.[1]

Despite this, however, the tilting-propeller system was not further pursued after the end of the flight test program.[1]

Aircraft on display

One of the Do 29 prototypes survived the program, and is displayed in the Dornier Museum in Germany.[1]

Operators
 Germany

Specifications (Do 29)
Detail of propeller assembly

Data from [1][3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: one (pilot)
  • Length: 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 13.2 m (43 ft 4 in)
  • Height: 2.69 m (8 ft 10 in) [4]
  • Wing area: 21.8 m2 (235 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 2,180 kg (4,806 lb)
  • Gross weight: 2,400 kg (5,291 lb) [4]
  • Max takeoff weight: 2,490 kg (5,490 lb)
  • Powerplant: 2 × Lycoming GO-480-B1A6 geared horizontally-opposed piston engines, 200 kW (270 hp) each
  • Propellers: 3-bladed

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 290 km/h (180 mph, 160 kn)
  • Minimum control speed: 24 km/h (15 mph, 13 kn)
  • Range: 400 km (250 mi, 220 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 6,500 m (21,300 ft)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References
Notes
  1. Goebel, Greg. "Dornier Civil Aircraft" Archived June 12, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. VectorSite, April 2010. Accessed 2010-06-10.
  2. Luftwaffe: Projekte: Do 29. In: Geschichte der Luftwaffe. Bundeswehr. Accessed 2009-06-15.
  3. Winchester 2005, pp. 84-85.
  4. Green 1960 p.90-1
Bibliography
  • Green, William. Observer's book of aircraft (1960 ed.). London: Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd.
  • Winchester, Jim, ed. Aviation Factfile: Concept Aircraft. San Diego, CA: Thunder Bay Press. ISBN 1-59223-480-1
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