The Dornier 32 E/U was an ultra-light single seat helicopter designed by Dornier, which started flight testing at Oberpfaffenhofen on June 19, 1962. It was a collapsible helicopter with reaction drive which could be carried in a car trailer which also served as a take-off and landing platform. Stowed in a special transport box, the helicopter could be stored anywhere, ready for operation, and was easily carried by air, sea and land. The two-blade rotor made of light metal was driven by compressed air leaving through blade tip nozzles. The drive system of this reaction helicopter, free from anti-torque moment, consisted of a turbine-operated compressor made for easy handling in operation. The Do 32E was practically a precursor for the unmanned "Kiebitz" ("Pewit") rotor platform. The Do 32 U autostable, remotely controlled rotor platform was derived from the Do 32 single seat helicopter. This experimental unit was used from June 1966 for basic testing for the future tethered unmanned "Kiebitz" rotor platform.
Dornier built a total of three prototypes of the single-seat helicopter. Since the German Ministry of Defense (Bundesverteidigungsministerium) was in muliseater though, additional models were not completed.
Dornier 32
| Year of construction | 1961 |
Performance
| Top speed | 115 km/h |
| Cruising speed | 100 km/h |
| Maximum climb speed | 8 m/sec |
| Range | 90 km |
| Endurance | 50 min |
Weight
| Empty weight | 151 kg |
| Take-off weight | 280 kg |
Dimensions
| Fuselage length | 3.20 m |
| Width of landing track | 2.10 m |
| Height | 1.90 m |
| Diameter rotor | 7.50 m |
| Rotor area | 44 qm |
