The mammoth eight-engine design was intended for use as a military transport, with a large bow door admitting vehicles and bulky freight to the upper deck.

It was also designed for use as a long-range bomber, flying tanker, aerial minelayer and U-boat supply vessel.

By 1943, it was realized that long-range flying boats were not needed due to the worsening war situation, and the Do 214 project was canceled.

A 1/5 scale model glider of the Dornier Do 214 was designed and built as the Göppingen Gö 8, by Wolf Hirth and Ulrich Hütter.

For hydrodynamic stability tests of the hull integrated floats, in collaboration with the Göttingen aerodynamic laboratory, the glider was towed by a boat.