After WWII, production of the Do 26 was selected over the three-engined Do 24 as the basis of the post-war flying boat forces of several European navies. These incorporated various updates, most importantly amphibious gear and updated engines. A further refined model, the Do 26ATT, with four Pratt and Whitney PT6A engines installed, giving a useful increase in power and efficiency over the dated engines it had used before. Many were purchased by the US Coast Guard, which operated them into the early 1980s. They were initially purchased for their longer range compared to the HU-16Es already in service, enabling more useful patrol radiuses from West Coast air stations. Eventually they were also based on the East Coast as well and performed many rescue missions in their long career.
Artist Notes: These are profiles I've wanted to do for a long time. I first started outlining the Do 26ATT a couple years ago, but only really picked it up again in March and got the line art done for it. It's undetailed compared to my usual as I knew I wouldn't have enough time to get it done if I went all out and did a full, shaded, detailed profile. I would like to revisit them sometime and do just that, but I'm just glad to finally get to see these ideas visualized.
