The Regia Aeronautica Dornier Do.217J were 15, of which 7 J-1 and 8 J-2 (radar equipped) as follows:
Wk.Nr. 1251 – J-1 (3C+MT)
Wk.Nr. 1260 – J-2
Wk.Nr. 1262 – J-2 (3C+MR)
Wk.Nr. 1264 – J-1
Wk.Nr. 1272 – J-1
Wk.Nr. 1288 – J-1
Wk.Nr. 1316 – J-2 (3C+LT)
Wk.Nr. 1321 – J-1 (3C+GR)
Wk.Nr. 1337 – J-2
Wk.Nr. 1347 – J-1
Wk.Nr. 1348 – J-1
Wk.Nr. 1349 – J-2
Wk.Nr. 1358 – J-2 (3C+IL)
Wk.Nr. 1359 – J-2
Wk.Nr. 1361 – J-2

They were delivered between 21.9.1942 and 15.5.1943 to 233a and 235a Squadriglie of 41° Stormo.

Concerning the camouflage, it is true that almost all the J-1 were finished in overall black, but the J-2s weren’t.

For example, the W.Nr.1358 showed a finish in large 75 blotches on the upper surfaces over an apparently 76 base, whereas another J-2 had a typical Luftwaffe NF camouflage, with a scheme of sprayed 75 over 76 in small soft blotches.

Not existing photographs of all the Italian Do 217s, nothing can be said for sure, but it seems clear that overall black wasn’t the rule.

The bomber involved was the Lancaster III “EM-W” serial ED692 flown by P/O L. E. Stubbs and was shot down by the Do.217J-1 of Cap. Aramis Ammannato at 04,15 hours of 17 July 1943. The only survivor of the British bomber was the dorsal gunner Sgt. W. O’Brien, who was found miraculously unharmed in the low waters of the river Ticino, near the wrecked remains of the Lancaster…

This was the one and only confirmed victory of an Italian Dornier Do.217 J.