Dornier Do 31
This program goes back to the year 1959. In 1962, the German Federal Ministry of Defense awarded Dornier a design contract for the Do 31 V/STOL transport aircraft. Under this experimental program, the production program covered a small and a large hovering rig for studying design principles, an airframe for structural testing, and a systems test stand for hydraulic and electric systems.
The two test aircraft Do 31 E-1 (without lift engines) and E-3 were successfully tested between 1967 and 1971. The Do 31 E-1 was equipped with two Rolls Royce RB-162-4D, rated at 7000 kg of thrust each which provided power for cruising flight as well as lift during takeoff and landing via vectored nozzles. To support the cruise engines in hover flight, a total of eight Rolls Royce RB-162-4D, rated at 2000 kg of thrust each, were installed in nacelles at the wing ends. By tilting the cruise engine nozzles, the Do 31 was accelerated to the speed of approximately 250 km/h required for aerodynamic horizontal flight, and the eight lift-producing engines were stopped again after 20 seconds.
The Do 31, which established several FAI (Féderation Aeronautique Internationale) world records during its ferry flight to the 1969 Paris Air Show, was the first and so-far only vertical take-off jet transport built in the world.
Technical data
Do 31 VTOL Experimental Jet Transport
| Power plant |
2 Rolls Royce Pegasus 5-2 with 7,000 kg each 8 Rolls Royce RB-162-4D with 2,000 kg each |
Performance
| Top speed | 750 km/h |
| Cruising speed | 700 km/h |
| Climb speed | 19,2 m/sec |
| Service ceiling | 10,700 m |
| Range | 1,800 km |
Weight
| Empty weight | 13,868 kg |
| Take-off weight | 27,500 kg |
Dimensions
| Span | 18.1 m |
| Length | 20.9 m |
| Height | 8.5 m |
| Wing span area | 57.0 qm |
Stock Quotes
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