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Luftwaffe · Kampfgeschwader · Schnellbomber, Reconnaissance & Battle of Britain Raider

Dornier Do 17

Do 17E / Do 17M / Do 17Z · Luftwaffe bomber · 1937–1941
Luftwaffe route with Gruppe, Staffel and theatre markings context

The Dornier Do 17, the “Flying Pencil”, was the Luftwaffe’s slim early-war bomber: fast, narrow, heavily glazed and central to the campaigns in Poland, France and the Battle of Britain. It is a different modelling challenge to the He 111: smaller, sharper, more delicate, with a cramped crew gondola, twin fins, long nacelles, splinter camouflage, large bomber codes and the unique RAF Museum Cosford recovery story.

4
Crew
2×Bramo
Engines
Z
Main variant
Pencil
Nickname

What paints do I need?

Generate a practical starter paint list for this Dornier Do 17 build, with common brand equivalents.

Scheme basis: Luftwaffe / RLM. Treat these as modelling equivalents rather than laboratory-perfect matches; always check your chosen aircraft, theatre and date.
ColourUseTamiyaVallejoAKMr Hobby
RLM 70 Black GreenProps and early bomber/fighter greensXF-2771.021AK RC275H65
RLM 71 Dark Green / RLM 74 Grey GreenUpper camouflage by periodXF-61 / XF-24 mix71.015 / 71.258AK RC276 / RC279H64 / H68
RLM 02 Grey / RLM 75 Grey VioletCockpit/early camo or late fighter greyXF-2271.044 / 71.259AK RC273 / RC280H70 / H69
RLM 65 / 76 Light BlueUndersides and late-war light blueXF-2371.255 / 71.257AK RC278 / RC321H67 / H417
RLM 04 YellowTheatre bands, cowls and tactical markingsXF-371.078AK RC267H413
RLM 66 SchwarzgrauLater cockpit interiorsXF-6371.055AK RC314H416
Exhaust/rubber/weatheringSoot, tyres, guns and oil dirtXF-1/XF-64/XF-85Black/Brown/RubberAK weathering coloursH12/H47

Do 17 operations · 1937–1941

The Dornier Do 17 was designed around speed and a slim fuselage, earning the “Flying Pencil” nickname. It served in Spain, Poland, France, the Low Countries and the Battle of Britain before being overtaken by larger bomber types. For modellers, the Do 17 is about slender proportions, twin-tail alignment, glasshouse nose work, early RLM splinter camouflage, KG codes and careful bomber weathering.

4Crew
2×Bramo radials
Z-2Key variant
FlyingPencil
Do 17 real reference
Real Do 17 photo route: check E/M/Z variant, nose glazing, twin fins, KG codes, bomb load and early-war RLM scheme before painting.

Role & strengths

  • Early Luftwaffe fast bomber and reconnaissance aircraft
  • Spanish Civil War, Poland, France and Battle of Britain routes
  • Distinctive slim fuselage, twin fins and compact glazed crew compartment
  • RLM 70/71/65 splinter, large KG codes and bomber weathering
  • Unique RAF Museum Cosford recovery/survivor reference route

Key theatres

  • Spain and pre-war operational development
  • Poland and France early-war campaigns
  • Battle of Britain daylight raids
  • Reconnaissance and early bomber operations

Specification Do 17Z-2

Crew4Length51 ft 1 inWingspan59 ft 0 inMax speedc.255 mphPowerplant2× Bramo 323 radialsArmamentDefensive MGs and internal bomb load

Survivors today

Do 17 survivor reference

The RAF Museum Cosford Do 17 recovery is the key survivor route. Use it for structure, nacelles, nose glazing, tail layout and weathered airframe reference, but be careful using wreck condition as a paint guide.

View survivors

Timeline highlights

Build this Do 17 as…

Pick the route first. A Spanish/pre-war Do 17, a Poland/France bomber, a Battle of Britain Do 17Z, a reconnaissance aircraft and the Cosford survivor route all need different markings and weathering logic.

Aircraft identity

✚Balkenkreuz
KGKampfgeschwader
▯Glass nose
2×Twin engine
ⅡTwin fins
✎Flying Pencil
Variant warning

Do 17E, M, P and Z versions differ. Check nose glazing, engines, defensive guns, bomb bay and tail details before committing.

Survivor warning

The Cosford recovery is invaluable structurally, but wreck corrosion is not a normal operational weathering guide.

Paint scheme cards

Early warRLM 70/71/65 splinter

Core Do 17Z Battle of Britain and early-war bomber finish.

BoBDay bomber weathering

Use restrained exhaust, slight fading, readable KG codes and clean glazing.

ReconLight underside emphasis

Recon routes need cleaner finishes, camera/mission logic and less random bomb grime.

SurvivorCosford reference route

Use for structure and restoration-story reference, not as a generic combat weathering recipe.

Campaign cards

Poland and France

Early bomber route with RLM 70/71/65 splinter, clean bomber codes and moderate operational wear.

Battle of Britain

KG 2, KG 3 and KG 76 Do 17Z routes with daylight raid weathering and clear KG identity.

Reconnaissance

Do 17P/M routes need mission-specific markings, cleaner finish and camera/recon logic.

Cosford survivor

The recovered Goodwin Sands aircraft gives a unique reference/story section and structural interest.

Build difficulty and related guides

Overall difficulty

High. Slender fuselage seams, twin fins, clear parts and engine nacelle alignment need patience.

Glazing difficulty

High. The nose and cockpit glazing need masks and careful internal painting.

Structure difficulty

Medium-high. The twin tail, nacelles and long fuselage show alignment errors quickly.

Paint codesRLM 70, 71, 65 and early-war bomber markingsTechniqueBomber glazing, slim fuselage seams and exhaust stainingArticleDo 17 kits, variants and bomber weathering guide

Do 17 Kampfgeschwader units

Sortable Do 17 unit cards covering early bomber campaigns, Battle of Britain, reconnaissance and the Cosford survivor route.

Role:Sort:

Do 17 operating map

Variant selector

Airfield info

Click a marker to show linked Do 17 unit cards and modelling notes.

Campaign timeline

Survivors

Books and reference sources

Do 17 build guide

Kit choice wizard

Do 17 videos, photos and archive material

Media replaces the old separate walkaround tab: cockpit, exhaust, undercarriage, markings, survivor references, archive imagery and video cards are grouped here.