Do 17Z-7

[Rottler]

According to the Gen.Qu. loss return from 10 Nov 1940 item 14 only the BF and the BM were injured. This entry was corrected on 22 May 1941: both were uninjured.

Here a quote from Luftwaffe im Focus edition 10 pages 12 and 13 with a photo of a Do 17 Z-7 in service with 2./NJG 2 at Gilze Rijen:

"… This three-seat aircraft represented an attempt by Dornier to provide the Luftwaffe with a long-range night-fighter. Dornier simply fitted the nose of the Ju 88 C, including armament (1 MG 151, 3 MG 17s), onto a Do 17 bomber, production of which had terminated. The resulting conversion was designated the Do 17 Z-6 "Kauz" (Owl). As this initial conversion was very makeshift in appearance, Dornier reworked the C-nose to better fit the Do 17 fuselage. The result was the Do 17 Z-7 "Kauz I". Just three aircraft were so converted in the summer of 1940, however only two have so far been identified, Werknr. 2834 and 2817…… From Gilze Rijen the aircraft flew long-range night-fighter missions over England. At 0900 hours on 9 Nov. 1940, while on such mission, Werknr. 2817 (R4+HK) was damaged in a combat with a Hurricane near Lincoln. Pilot Ofw. Schmidt flew the aircraft back to Gilze Rijen on one engine and made a belly landing at the edge of the airfield. Damage was assessed at 10%. The aircraft was repaired and in 1941 was still serving with the Gruppe in Sicily…".

Regards
Leo