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AIRCRAFT

Dornier Wal
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Dornier Do J Wal "Atlântico"
1927-1930

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With businessman and politicians help, Otto Meyer (VARIG’s owner) went to Germany, in November 1926, to acquire aircraft, materials and personnel to operate the aircraft. He made a deal with Condor Syndikat German airline, where Condor acquired 21% of VARIG in exchange for Dornier Wal aircraft. In Brazil the Dornier Wal was named “Atlântico”. On February 3, 1927 “Atlântico” made Brazil’s first commercial flight, operating the “Lagoon Line”, linking Porto Alegre, Pelotas and Rio Grande. Initially the flight was operated by Condor Syndikat with German crew. On June 15, the aircraft and route were transferred to VARIG. The airplane was registered as P-BAAA, the number 01 of Brazilian Aeronautical Registry Book.
Boarding was somewhat primitive, with the involvement of VARIG's owner which personally carried passengers on a boat to the aircraft. The passengers were transported to Ilha Grande dos Marinheiros (Big Sailors Island), where tickets were conferred. The passenger was weighed with its own baggage and if its was heavier than 75 kilos, the passenger was charged excess baggage. VARIG's first passenger was Mr. Guilherme Gastal in the first flight, experimental yet, between Porto Alegre and Rio Grande.
Besides pilot Von Clausbruch, Atlântico had a mechanic-pilot who could repairs Roll Royce engines in flight. They stayed outside of the aircraft throughout the flight and needed to use heavy coats and leather helmets, goggles, scarves, gloves and boots. In September 1927 VARIG built a ramp and workshops on the island to serve as basis for operations and maintenance. The takeoff took dramatic, when Mr. Oswaldo Muller was called to use a speedboat with the intention of making waves and with "that essential little jump" help Atlântico to rise up. The flight was made ​​from 20 to 50 meters above the water at a speed of 160 km/h . The flight time between Porto Alegre and Pelotas was about two hours and between Pelotas and Rio Grande about 20 minutes.

The Dornier Wal “Atlântico” was a seaplane with two four-shaft propellers, type "Heine" and flew for VARIG until July 2nd, 1930, when it was then transferred to Syndicato Condor (Brazil). In 1933 it was disassembled in Rio de Janeiro and its parts were sold as scrap iron.

 


Atlântico on Ilha Grande dos Marinheiros (Big Sailors Island) / Atlântico flying over Rio de Janeiro

 

Operated units

01

Design

Claudius Dornier, Germany

Constructor

Construzioni Meccaniche Aeronautike S.A., Italy

Model

Dornier Wal

Construction number

34

Year of construction

1925

Engine

Two Rolls Royce Eagle IX de 360 C.V. each.

Wingspread

73,82 feet

Length

57,25 feet

Height

14,10 feet

Cruising speed

93,21 miles/hr.

Flight reach

621,4 miles

Cruising radius

09 hs

Maximum flight altitude

6,562 feet

Empty aircraft weight

7,497 pounds

Maximum take-off weight

12,127 pounds

Technical crew

02 (1 pilot e 1 and one flight mechanic)

Maximum number of passengers

09

Maximum capacity of fuel tank

22,05 gallons

Normal consumption

1,5/2 liters/hr.

 

 

 

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