- Source: Dornier Libelle
The Dornier Libelle (en:"Dragonfly I"), also designated Do A, was a German open-cockpit, all-metal, parasol wing, monoplane flying boat aircraft, with partly fabric-covered wings. There was three versions of the seaplane version; the prototype, first version, and improved version (the Libelle 2). A landplane version, built without sponsons and fitted with a fixed tailwheel undercarriage was produced as the Dornier Spatz.
Variants
Do A
Two prototypes of the Libelle
Libelle I
The standard production model, five built, fitted with Siemens-Halske Sh 4 engines and two built with 59.7 kW (80 hp) Siemens-Halske Sh 5 engines.
Libelle II
The improved Libelle II was powered by Siemens-Halske Sh 5 or 75 kW (101 hp) Siemens-Halske Sh 11 engines. Other engines fitted to Libelle II aircraft include the Bristol Lucifer and the ADC Cirrus. Three built.
Accidents
A Dornier Libelle crashed into the sea off Milford beach in Auckland, New Zealand on 12 December 1929, killing both crewmen.
Survivor
A Libelle II VQ-FAB, manufacturers number 117 built in 1925, which operated in Fiji, is displayed in the Deutsches Museum in the centre of Munich.
Specifications (Libelle I)
Data from General characteristics
Crew: one
Capacity: two passengers
Length: 7.18 m (23 ft 7 in)
Wingspan: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Height: 2.27 m (7 ft 5 in)
Wing area: 14 m2 (150 sq ft)
Empty weight: 420 kg (926 lb)
Gross weight: 640 kg (1,411 lb)
Fuel capacity: fuel 42 kg (93 lb)fuel + oil 10 kg (22 lb)
Powerplant: 1 × Siemens-Halske Sh 4 5-cyl. air-cooled radial piston engine, 45 kW (60 hp)
Performance
Maximum speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
Cruise speed: 100 km/h (62 mph, 54 kn)
Range: 300 km (190 mi, 160 nmi)
Service ceiling: 1,600 m (5,200 ft)
References
External links
"Dornier Spatz". Germany. Retrieved 25 February 2012.
Dornier “Libelle" at http://www.jadu.de/luftfahrt
"Libelle" at www.histaviation.com Archived 2012-02-07 at the Wayback Machine