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I wasn't able to find any thread directly dealing with this aircraft, so I thought we could expand some of the discussion we have had about the best naval reconnaissance option for the Battle of the Atlantic for Germany.
Some other threads on this subject:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=254104&highlight=do26
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=254404&highlight=do26

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_26#Specifications_-_Do_26V6
Performance
Maximum speed: 324 km/h (175 kn, 201 mph)
Range: 7,100 km (3,834 nmi, 4,412 mi)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blohm_&_Voss_BV_138
Performance

Maximum speed: 275 km/h @ 6,000 m (171 mph @ 19,700 ft)
Range: 5,000 km (3,105 mi)
Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,400 ft)
Rate of climb: 220 m/min (729 ft/min)
Wing loading: 114.2 kg/m² (23.4 lb/ft²)
Power/mass: 0.106 kW/kg (0.064 hp/lb)
(Range is too high here, it was actually about 2200 miles overloaded with fuel)

Both of these aircraft were viable options for long range naval reconnaissance and were in fact used in small numbers in that role.
What if the Do26 was in full production for this role by 1940 and the BV138 had higher production? This would give the Germans much longer range, cheaper, and far more reliable recon for spotting for and liaison with Uboats than the Fw200.
Assuming the resources saved from not producing the FW200 were thrown into expanding production of these aircraft, while further resources are saved for this and other projects by no producing the Do217 starting in 1940, how much more effective would the Uboats have been during the 1940-1942 period?
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