Dornier Do 28 & 128

The Do 28 Skyservant was the second aircraft to bear the Do 28 designation, but is similar only in overall configuration to the first Do 28. Dornier's original Do 28 first flew in 1959 and was a twin engined development of the high wing single engine Do 27 utility. The Do 28 Skyservant first flew on February 23 1966, and while it retained the earlier Do 28's high wing and unique side mounted engine configuration, was a completely new aircraft. Other design features of this unusual looking aircraft were the fixed tailwheel undercarriage, with the faired mainwheels mounted under the engines. FAA certification was granted on April 19 1968. The Do 28 was developed into a number of progressively improved variants, from the original D, through the D1 and D2, to the 1282, introduced in 1980. Each variant introduced a number of detail changes. Most Do 28 production was for military customers, notably Germany, although a small number were delivered to commercial operators. An initial turboprop version of the Do 28, designated the Do 28D5X, first flew in April 1978, fitted with two Avco Lycoming LTP 1016001As derated to 300kW (400shp). However production turboprop Dornier 1286s feature Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6As, with the first such configured aircraft flying in March 1980. Only a small number were built between then and 1986, when production ceased, and again most aircraft were for military customers.

The backbone of this section is from the The International Directory of Civil Aircraft by Gerard Frawley and used with permission. To get your own copy of the book click here.