WWII German bomber
The development of the Do 217M-1 bomber was driven by a shortage of BMW 801D engines, which were originally intended for the Do 217K-1 variant. By 1943, the territory of the Reich was already under heavy bombardment by Allied air forces, and the BMW 801D engines were urgently needed for the production of both day and night fighters for air defense.
As an alternative solution, Dornier engineers adapted the Do 217K-1 design to accommodate a different engine — the DB 603. This led to the creation of the new Do 217M-1 variant. The powerful DB 603A engines, delivering 1,750 hp and fitted with four-bladed propellers, significantly improved the aircraft’s flight performance, increasing its top speed to 557 km/h. However, this came at the cost of a slightly reduced operational range.
The defensive armament and bomb load of the new variant remained identical to those of the Do 217K. The Do 217M-1 aircraft were produced in parallel with the Do 217K-1 and remained in service with Luftwaffe bomber and reconnaissance squadrons until the end of the war.