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08/15/2008. Derived from the Dornier Wal (Whale) series, the Do 18 was developed originally as a trans-Atlantic mail carrier for the Lufthansa. Three prototypes were built: Do 18 V1 D-AHIS 'Monsun', Do 18 V2 D-AANE 'Zyklon', and Do 18 V3 D-ABYM 'Aeolus'. Powered by two 540 hp Junkers Jumo 205 six-cylinder double-opposed water-cooled diesel engines, the first aircraft was flown on March 15, 1935. The three prototypes and two additional aircraft, D-AROS 'Pampero' and D-ARUN 'Zephir', were delivered to Lufthansa under the designation Do 18 E, all fitted with two 600 hp Jumo 205C engines. The first military variant was the Do 18 D reconnaissance aircraft; Weserflugzeugbau undertook series production and the aircraft entered service with the Luftwaffe in 1938. The pictured aircraft was assigned to the 2. Staffel of the Küstenfliegergruppe 506 at Kiel. It crashed February 17, 1939.