The Dornier Do 217K “Fritz-X Carrier” in 1/72 scale captures the form and function of one of the Luftwaffe’s most advanced and versatile bombers of World War II. This high-wing, twin-engine aircraft served across multiple roles, but the K-variant stands out for its technological advancement—specifically its ability to deliver the Ruhrstahl SD 1400 “Fritz X,” one of the world’s first precision-guided bombs.

Featuring a reinforced fuselage, redesigned wings, and improved engines, the Do 217K was primarily deployed in the Mediterranean theatre. Its most significant historical moment came on 9 September 1943, when a Fritz X bomb released by a Do 217K struck and sank the Italian battleship *Roma* off Sardinia. This model faithfully recreates the bomber in its Fritz-X deployment configuration and includes new parts for the cockpit, landing gear, defensive weapons, and flame-dumper exhausts.

History:

The Dornier Do 217 evolved as a workhorse of the German Luftwaffe, taking on multiple roles including bombing, reconnaissance, and night-fighting. The K-variant marked a leap in precision warfare when it was adapted to deploy the Fritz X—a revolutionary radio-guided bomb. On 9 September 1943, this combination changed naval warfare forever by sinking the battleship *Roma*. The Do 217K not only demonstrated the increasing sophistication of Axis aerial technology, but also introduced a new era in guided munitions.