"Correo" (Spanish for Courier or Postman) with CETA in Spain carries the registration M-AAIA and is powered by a 185 hp BMW IIIa engine. The c/n of this early Komet is thought to be 23.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Komet - ГерманияGermany - 1921

Komet II c/n 13/50 was used by the RAF as J7276 to test its 'ribbed sheet' metal construction. The early fixed 'park bench' aileron balance tabs and elevators without tabs of the Komet II are noticeable here.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Komet - ГерманияGermany - 1921

The 4-blade propeller made from two 2-bladers seen here is a right hand tractor for the BMW engine. This early production Komet II is the same aircraft as that seen on pp.2003/182 and 183 but the 'radio mast' is actually a mounting for a venturi pipe used during test flights.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Komet - ГерманияGermany - 1921

In this head-on view the square-tipped early Komet wing clearly shows the registration M-AIAA on the underside. This engine installation and radiator, with 4-blade propeller, shows no detail similarity to any other Komet engine installation and like many early applications must be thought of as experimental.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Komet - ГерманияGermany - 1921

The Dornier D c/n 57 single-window freighter demonstrated to the Japanese in 1925 is seen with the last Komet II D400, indicating the many differences in its larger airframe.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Komet - ГерманияGermany - 1921Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

This close-up of M-AIAA shows the engine to be a liquid-cooled vee. The one-piece 4-blade metal propeller was not adopted for production Komet 4-bladers which used two 2-blade wood propellers mounted at right angles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Komet - ГерманияGermany - 1921

More of M-AIAA can be seen in this side view, released in 1924, which enables the engine to be identified as a 280 hp Rolls-Royce Falcon. The 360 hp R-R Eagle, also a water-cooled V12 was used in production Komets.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Komet - ГерманияGermany - 1921

Head-on view of the prototype Komet III emphasises the larger 19 m (62 ft 4 in) span parasol wing with rounded tips. The distinctive Rolls-Royce radiator, with taper top and filler cap, extends around and below the propeller hub.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

With tail raised at the start of take-off, an unregistered Merkur reveals much detail, including stiffening ribs in the skin and the aileron and elevator link-tab trimmers.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

An Eagle-engined Komet III, D-775, identified by the Rolls-Royce radiator and left hand tractor propeller. The exhaust manifold has an upwards ejector pipe at the front end. D-775 was c/n 84, operated by the DVS - Deutsche Verkehrsflieger-Schule.
On Komet III D-775 c/n 84 of the DVS the elevator link-tab trimmer above the tailplane shows up well as it is at a large angle associated with the lowered elevators. Full left rudder is also applied, providing a convenient photographic background for the tab.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

C/n 65 started life as a Komet III but was converted to B Bal Merkur standard with BMW VI engine, wing cutout and unbraced fin in 1926 as Luft Hansa's D546 "Hyane".

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

Komet III D552 c/n 66 was first Deutscher Aero Lloyd's "Frankfurt" with an unusual overwing-ejecting exhaust pipe and original small fin-braced tail unit.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

An early unregistered Merkur with BMW VI engine and chin radiator. The pilot is seated high and is holding the control column back to raise the elevators, perhaps making a check or about to start up.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

The prototype Komet III viewed from the rear shows the round-tipped tailplane and the long link-tab trimmer for the elevators passing through the fin. The two fuel tanks and their filler caps are in the wing roots.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

The Komet III prototype showing the 3-rib fuselage sides and 2-strut bracing on the fin. This photograph was used by Dornier in an advertisement, appearing on 25.2.25 and after.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

An entirely new design, the parasol-wing Komet III prototype c/n 55 with 4-blade left hand tractor propeller for the Rolls-Royce Eagle engine. The early type long exhaust is installed. Note the small fin size of the early Komet III series.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

Head-on view of a Merkur with the tail raised up on a trestle. The faired cowling over the two rows of BMW VI cylinders are seen, also right hand propeller, outwards ejecting exhausts and chin radiator with curved base.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

D-552 (note hyphen) later as Luft Hansa's "Gepard" now converted to Merkur with BMW VI engine, 2-blade propeller, centre section cutout and enlarged cantilever fin. The route board below the cockpit shows "Berlin - Essen/Mulheim".

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

C/n 57 with its single window, was fitted with floats [before or after delivery to Kawasaki?] and is seen here during Japanese Navy trials with a torpedo slung under the fuselage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

The Napier Lion engine fitted to Dornier C c/n 62 in 1925 resulted in a more pointed nose but it did not become a production installation for the Komet III series.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

Komet III RRUAK c/n 70 with R-R Eagle engine and 4-blade propeller before a flight. Refuelling and passenger loading has stopped for the photographer, the first passenger posing with one foot on the step of the open cabin door.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

The Komet III prototype on the approach to land, not yet wearing a registration. The shallow angle of approach is typical of the aircraft of the time which were not fitted with flaps and so had a flat gliding angle when power was reduced to descend.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

An early model Komet III with Rolls-Royce Eagle engine with the original long exhaust pipe, not yet wearing a registration. The pilot can be seen peering out from the 'dip' in the cockpit side which was his only means of obtaining a forward view of the ground in level flight.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

C/n 62 with BMW power seen in Chilean military colours in a rare but poor quality image.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924

This close-up of the tail of a Dornier R-4 Superwal gives a closer view of the link-tab trimmer system which continued in use on Dornier aircraft until it was outdated by the pilot-operated trailing edge trim tabs.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Do.R Super Wal - ГерманияGermany - 1926