Dornier 24 K-1

Dornier 24 K-1

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01/13/2004. Remarks by Alfred Damen: The Do-24 was largely designed around a Royal Netherlands Navy specification to replace their ageing Dornier Wal flying boats in the Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD = Navy Aviation Service).
The MLD wanted the same reliability and rugged seaworthiness the Wal offered (due to the unique ‘Stummel’ floats on both sides of the aircraft) but with a much improved performance.

The initial contract for 6 Do-24 K-1‘s was signed in 1936 (MLD s/n X-1 to X-6) to be built by Dornier in Friedrichshafen.
The X-1 to X-3 were directly shipped to the Dutch East Indies in 1937, probably to the main seaplane base at Morokrembangan (near Surabaya).
As an exception the X-4 was delivered to Fokker’s Aviolanda subsidiary in Dordrecht to be fitted out with Dutch avionics and armament.

As the MLD envisaged a conflict in the east they resolved to procure 72 Do-24 K’s. Fokker, De Schelde and Aviolanda would build the majority as Do-24 K-2’s under license in the Netherlands. An additional order for 24 Do-24 K-1’s was placed with Dornier (MLD s/n X-7 to X-30) and these were delivered during 1938 and 1939. During 1939 the X-30 was upgraded to Do-24 K-2 standard and reserialed X-37. The X37 was since then known as the VIP plane for Navy brass.

In the meantime Aviolanda and de Schelde were tooling up to produce the bulk of the seaplanes, but only 6 Do-24 K-2’s (MLD s/n X-31 to X-36) had been delivered by May 10, 1940 when the German Army attacked the Netherlands. The Germans found a large number of unfinished Do-24 K-2’s as well as spares when they occupied the production plants. Production of these planes continued under German supervision for most of WW II.

The X-1 flew reconnaissance flights and operational sorties against Japanese shipping with the MLD in the Dutch East Indies until March 2, 1942.
As the Japanese were at that time invading mainland Java it was decided to evacuate all flying assets to either Australia or Ceylon. The X-1 left lake Wendil on Mar 2, 1942 at 22.00 hrs with 20 persons jammed aboard (while the normal complement was 6!) Many of these passengers were women and children.

The X-1 reached Roebuck Bay, near Broome, early in the morning of March 3, 1942. They anchored in the bay together with 4 other MLD Dorniers, Australian Catalina’s and a large Short flying boat. Unable to reach the shore because of the tide, it was decided to wait on board of the aircraft.

But at 09.20 local time a fierce attack was carried out by 9 Japanese fighters (Mitsubshi A6M2 Zero’s) led by Lieutenant Zenziro Miyano. In this attack the X-1, as well as the X-3, X-20, X-23 and X-28 were riddled with bullets, exploded and sank. Most of the escapees perished either from Japanese bullets or by drowning in the fierce ebb currents of Roebuck Bay.
Some years ago it was established that the wrecks of the flying boats are still on the bottom of this forlorn northwest Australian bay.


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01/13/2004. Remarks by Alfred Damen: The Do-24 was largely designed around a Royal Netherlands Navy specification to replace their ageing Dornier Wal flying boats in the Marine Luchtvaart Dienst (MLD = Navy Aviation Service). The MLD wanted the same reliability and rugged seaworthiness the Wal offered (due to the unique ‘Stummel’ floats on both sides of the aircraft) but with a much improved performance. The initial contract for 6 Do-24 K-1‘s was signed in 1936 (MLD s/n X-1 to X-6) to be built by Dornier in Friedrichshafen. The X-1 to X-3 were directly shipped to the Dutch East Indies in 1937, probably to the main seaplane base at Morokrembangan (near Surabaya). As an exception the X-4 was delivered to Fokker’s Aviolanda subsidiary in Dordrecht to be fitted out with Dutch avionics and armament. As the MLD envisaged a conflict in the east they resolved to procure 72 Do-24 K’s. Fokker, De Schelde and Aviolanda would build the majority as Do-24 K-2’s under license in the Netherlands. An additional order for 24 Do-24 K-1’s was placed with Dornier (MLD s/n X-7 to X-30) and these were delivered during 1938 and 1939. During 1939 the X-30 was upgraded to Do-24 K-2 standard and reserialed X-37. The X37 was since then known as the VIP plane for Navy brass. In the meantime Aviolanda and de Schelde were tooling up to produce the bulk of the seaplanes, but only 6 Do-24 K-2’s (MLD s/n X-31 to X-36) had been delivered by May 10, 1940 when the German Army attacked the Netherlands. The Germans found a large number of unfinished Do-24 K-2’s as well as spares when they occupied the production plants. Production of these planes continued under German supervision for most of WW II. The X-1 flew reconnaissance flights and operational sorties against Japanese shipping with the MLD in the Dutch East Indies until March 2, 1942. As the Japanese were at that time invading mainland Java it was decided to evacuate all flying assets to either Australia or Ceylon. The X-1 left lake Wendil on Mar 2, 1942 at 22.00 hrs with 20 persons jammed aboard (while the normal complement was 6!) Many of these passengers were women and children. The X-1 reached Roebuck Bay, near Broome, early in the morning of March 3, 1942. They anchored in the bay together with 4 other MLD Dorniers, Australian Catalina’s and a large Short flying boat. Unable to reach the shore because of the tide, it was decided to wait on board of the aircraft. But at 09.20 local time a fierce attack was carried out by 9 Japanese fighters (Mitsubshi A6M2 Zero’s) led by Lieutenant Zenziro Miyano. In this attack the X-1, as well as the X-3, X-20, X-23 and X-28 were riddled with bullets, exploded and sank. Most of the escapees perished either from Japanese bullets or by drowning in the fierce ebb currents of Roebuck Bay. Some years ago it was established that the wrecks of the flying boats are still on the bottom of this forlorn northwest Australian bay.