Rare action shot apparently of the prototype in second form, but a contemporary note on the reverse of the original print says it is 'A Delphin of Aero Lloyd letting down near Stettin on the Kopenhagen-Stettin service'. Is this early use, or trials? The truth remains obscure.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

With an engine cover over the non-standard tall exhaust pipe on its BMW IIIa engine, c/n 25 is seen in Japanese military markings. It has three fuselage stiffeners and is almost identical to the second form of the prototype.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Dornier Monoplane Flying Boat "Cs. II, 1920": Side View.
The Delphin I first prototype parked on the wet mud, shows the initial form of the metal hull and sponsons, the very cramped pilot's cockpit, unbalanced rudder, small divided elevators and BMW IIIa engine.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Resting on the bottom in shallow water, this Delphin II shows the frontal features with good view for the pilot from his enclosed cabin at the front and Rolls-Royce Falcon engine with its 4-blade right hand tractor propeller.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Like others, the RAF was interested in the Dornier metal construction and obtained this Falcon-powered Delphin II as N176. The pilot's control wheel can be seen through a front window.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

An action photo of a Delphin III taking off. Its length was 14.35 m (47 ft) compared with 12 m (39 ft 4 in.) for the Delphin II and the rounded-off corners of the tail surfaces improved the aircraft's appearance.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Delphin III c/n 152 in flight carrying Swiss registration CH-178. The longer cabin had seats for 12 passengers and the range was more than doubled over the Delphin I to 800 km (497 miles) but no more were sold.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Delphin II c/n 42 D-277 'Konstanz' pulled up to the jetty at Lake Constance. The 250 hp BMW IV 6-cyl water-cooled engine has a radiator similar to that of the Rolls-Royce Falcon.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

A revealing close-up of the tall unit of the Delphin II shown on the previous page with its strange markings on the balanced rudder. Also clearly seen are the tail surface stiffeners and the single stiffeners above and below on the rear fuselage.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

The second form of the Delphin I prototype with an extended float-like bow, engine moved forward to enlarge the pilot's cockpit and revised tail unit with rudder cut away at the base to allow a larger elevator without cutout.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Aground with the tide out, the port sponson is clearly seen, as is the tall 'sloping chimney' exhaust pipe of the BMW engine in Japanese Delphin Ia c/n 25.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Unidentified Delphin Ia airframe publicised in early 1924, with a narrow cockpit roof fairing. It has only one fuselage stiffener like the Delphin II, suggesting thicker plating. Curtained windows show intended passenger operation, but with whom?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Delphin Ia c/n 21 was used for trials by the US Navy as A6055. Modifications include forward extension of the cabin under the engine with small observation windows at the front, but no window in the cabin door at the rear.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Pulled up on the slipway at Lake Constance, this unidentified Delphin Ia shows detail of the prow and sponsons, the BMW IIIa engine installation and the wide open-top pilot's cockpit.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

The second form Delphin prototype on the mud showing the wide sponsons and twin underwing bracing struts on each side. As in the previous photo there are now three lengthwise fuselage stiffening ridges.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

This view of D-277 shows the high radiator position and the one-piece elevator with 'link-tab' trimmer passing through the fin. Note the roof entry hatch on the left side.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

An earlier photograph with the circular cabin windows suggests this may be the prototype Delphin III, c/n unknown. Here the swastika tail marking (post-1935?) and removal of the aileron trim tabs suggest that it was also the longest survivor.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Delphin II c/n 44 'Lindau' of Bodensee Aero Lloyd slung from a crane shows the 4-a-side square cabin windows for the six passengers. A seventh seat was available, apparently in the pilot's cabin.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

An early, perhaps the first, Delphin II with enclosed pilot's cockpit under the engine and fairing covering the old cockpit position. The II had the same fixed 'park bench' aileron servo tabs as the Ia and the single fuselage stiffener was standardised.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

Viewed from behind the wing, A6055 shows other changes. There is a smaller rudder balance, a single lengthwise stiffener and the rear fuselage is curved up to a pointed end under the tailplane. Also clearly visible in this view are the 'park bench' aileron balance tabs above the wing.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

A Delphin III with 450 hp BMW VI 12-cyl vee water cooled engine, its radiator and to the sides behind it. Aileron trimmers are now the 'link-tab' type. An early photo with no curtains in the windows.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

The cabin of the Delphin II looking aft from behind the front seats. Curtains are fitted to the large square windows and there are flowers in the vases between the centre windows.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Delphin - ГерманияGermany - 1920

B Bal/s c/n 124 was operated by SCADTA on floats in Colombia as A-23, here with the cowling raised for maintenance.

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

Lufthansa Merkur D-1084 c/n 158 "Eisbar (polar Bear) with BMW VID engine, also here on the Moscow-Berlin route, stayed with them for seven years and was reregistered D-UVIZ in 1934 before going to DVS. In the background is Rohrbach Roland D-999, later to be D-AHIM.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Dornier Merkur / Komet III - ГерманияGermany - 1924Rohrbach Ro.VIII Roland - ГерманияGermany - 1926

J-BAFH was a Dornier Merkur, similar in appearance to the Komet III but with a cantilever tailplane and a wing centre section cutout. This example was used for many years as an ambulance aircraft.
Merkur J-BAFH c/n 162 with BMW VI engine was imported by Kawasaki in 1928 and was used by Asahi Shimbun before going to the army in 1932 as an ambulance. Like the first prototype it had an extra window in the door.

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

C/n 162 after conversion to ambulance with two beds and nine seats seen in military markings as 'Aikoku No.2'.

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

C/n 130 again, showing registration URSS-D305, the letter D indicating a Deruluft machine in a series introduced in 1931.

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

Partial view of one of Deruluft's Merkurs, either c/n 122, 126 or 130 with only URSS-3 . . visible,

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

Passengers disembarking from DLH D-1086 'Bar' c/n 160.

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

Crew posing in front of c/n 163 RRDAW of Dobrolet which carries the inscription 'Pravda' ('Truth') below the cockpit.

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

A total of 25 Dornier D Bis floatplanes were built for the Yugoslav Navy, c/n 131 serial 201 is seen here being hosed down to reduce salt corrosion.

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