After struggling with a variety of languages it’s a slight relief to find a new Dornier Do217 reference in English – Osprey Combat Aircraft 139, Do217 Units of World War 2 currently at a decent price from Books etc.
The author is Chris Goss so it’s going to be a good one. As one would expect, the usual Osprey format focusing on units and operational history, but with some good photos and colour schemes.
Dramatic (or otherwise) colour artwork
Artwork includes a dramatic front cover plus 30 aircraft profiles, including two bombers in overall RLM76.
One or two of the usual suspects and a lot more, covering all main sub-types including a Regia Aeronautica nightfighter. Captions on the colour plates/photos are good but based on a limited selection of b/w photos and as we know, interpreting RLM colours can get a bit contentious…
For example the comments about the non-standard camouflage and markings of U5+ZN. The factory demarcation line for the lower surfaces is near the bottom of the fuselage, not level with the wing, as can be seen on several other profiles. The fin/rudders are light coloured, and the codes are an unusual colour – something like RLM77 maybe? So this doesn’t look much like a factory scheme. The Revell 1/48 Do217E-4 instructions suggest RLM76 underneath and up the sides. But then they seem confused about RLM72/73. So if this was modified after delivery then perhaps RLM76 seems more likely? Especially given the overall RLM76 ‘pirate’ scheme for individual daylight raiders.
Chapter, if not verse
There are five chapters, sort of one per year but not quite. Starting with initial development, then Do217E-1 and E-2 operation by KG2 and KG40 up to the end of 1941. Then blow by blow descriptions of operations against Britain throughout 1942, plus accounts of the RAF nightfighter opposition. Development and introduction of J and N nightfighters, K and M bombers, and the E-5 for deploying the Fritz-X and Hs293 guided weapons. Operations in 1943, but when we get to February, nothing specific about the loss of W. Nr. 1136… then operational use of Fritz-X and Hs293; followed by ‘decline and disappearance’ in 1944/45. Finally, appendices covering Do217 units and descriptions of the colour plates. No bibliography, which is a shame.
Overall this is a good book, as expected, in the usual Osprey style. It focuses mostly on detailed descriptions of raids, losses and nightfighter action, drawing on original wartime accounts. And is a very useful reference for modelling, if you’re into that sort of thing. However you would also need something with more close up pictures, like the Kagero book, FAOW or Do217 – 317 – 417.
And it’s also encouraging to find out that there’s at least one other person in the UK who’s interested in the Do217.