A49 Dornier DO-24K

Built by Aviolanda in Holland for the Dutch East Indies Naval Air Force, six survivors of some 30 original aircraft escaped to Australia early in 1942 and five were immediately impressed into RAAF service as A49-1 to 5. These aircraft were in poor condition when received, but served in the transport role with No 41 Squadron, flying cargo into Goodenough Island, Milne Bay and Port Moresby.

Two of them later served with No 8 Communications Unit in the search and rescue role. The sixth machine escaped to Perth from a Japanese bombing raid on Broome and served the Dutch Intelligence Agency on clandestine flights to New Guinea until handed over to become A49-6 in RAAF colours in October 1943.

All aircraft were withdrawn from service and scrapped in November 1944.

TECHNICAL DATA: Dornier DO-24K

DESCRIPTION:

Reconnaissance and transport flying boat

POWER PLANT:

Three 760 hp Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines

WEIGHT:

Empty 7716 kg (17 011 lb); loaded 12 973 kg (28 600 lb)

DIMENSIONS:

Wingspan 27.00 m (88 ft 7 in); Length 21.98 m (72 ft 1 in); Height 5.87 m (19 ft 3 in).

PERFORMANCE:

Max speed 314 km/h (169 kt); Cruise speed 241 km/h (130 kt); Ceiling 17,389 ft (5300 m); Range 3297 km (1780 nm).

ARMAMENT:

Single 0.5 in machine guns in nose and tail turrets, One 20 mm cannon in dorsal turret, Maximum bomb load 1202 kg (2650 lb). Back to top

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