[mjbollinger]

A Do 217 E-5, such as represented by 6N+KN, was not equipped to carry the PC 1400X. Only the Do 217 K-2 and K-3 (at that time) had the necessary wing design and placement of the ETC 2000 bomb rack. On the Do 217 E-5 the bomb racks were outboard of the engines, perhaps to accomodate the wings of the Hs 293. On the Do 217 K-2 and K-3 the bomb racks were inboard of the engines, which was better for lateral stability.

Also, the wings of the K-2 and K-3 had been lengthened considerably to allow the aircraft to reach the altitudes necessary for effective use of the PC 1400X. The Do 217 E-5 could not reach those altitudes. The nose design was also significantly altered and the aircraft do look quite different.

6N+KN would have been equipped with the Hs 293.

A separate mission was flown by III./KG 100 that same day with the PC 1400X. This is the mission that almost destroyed HMS Warspite and slightly damaged HMS Valiant. It appears that none of those aircraft were lost.

I suspect we have found the wreckage of 6N+KN. Thanks for the photos!!

MB