Planes and Choppers Photos

After Professor Dr. Claude Dornier had gained metal structure design experience with Zeppelin Luftschiffbau on airships and flying boats, he set up his own company, Dornier Metallbauten GmbH. Dornier Flugzeugwerke took over the Flugzeugbau Friedrichshafen production facilities when it failed in 1923. Dornier rose to prominence in the 1920s and 1930s as a manufacturer of large, all-metal flying boats as well as a series of successful land aircraft that were used by Luft Hansa and other European carriers during the 1920s and early 30s. Dornier built its aircraft outside Germany during much of this period, in compliance with the restrictions placed on German aircraft manufacturers by the Treaty of Versailles. From 1934 production continued within Germany of the Do 17 and this versatile two-engined aircraft was developed by the Luftwaffe into multiple combat variations, eventually becoming a night fighter variant. After WWII, aircraft production was again forbidden in Germany, and Dornier relocated to Spain and then to Switzerland where the firm provided aeronautical consultancy services until once again returning to Germany in 1954. Post-war, Dornier quickly re-established itself with highly successful small STOL transports. Additionally, in 1974 it developed the Alpha Jet as part of a joint venture with French aircraft manufacturers Dassault-Breguet. This aircraft established itself as the new standard NATO trainer during the 1970s and 80s. In 1985 Dornier became a member of the Daimler-Benz Group, integrating its aeronautic assets with the parent company. In 1996 the majority of Dornier Aircraft was acquired by Fairchild Aircraft, forming Fairchild Dornier, but this company became insolvent in 2002. Production of its 328 Jet was acquired by US company Avcraft. The other subsidiaries became part of EADS.