Summary
- Dornier returned to Germany in 1954 and designed the single-engine STOL-capable utility Dornier Do 27, which eventually led to the development of the twin-engine Do 28.
- The Do 28 family saw the most success following the Do 28D-2 variant, featuring a more boxy fuselage, a larger wing, and powerful engines.
- Militaries and air forces worldwide have used the Do 28 for various purposes.
Following the end of World War II, German aircraft manufacturer Dornier finally returned to Germany in 1954 after spending many years producing planes elsewhere in Europe, notably Spain and Switzerland. One of the first aircraft designed and built upon returning to their homeland was the single-engine STOL-capable utility Dornier Do 27, which operators would eventually take delivery of several hundred examples. But it became apparent that a twin-engine variant could also be quite helpful.
Enter the Dornier Do 28
Designed with many of the same features, such as a 6-person capacity, its high-wing cantilever configuration, and STOL capabilities, Dornier initially fitted the aircraft with two Lycoming O-360-A1A engines rated for up to 180 horsepower each. Thus, the Do 28 was born. Following this prototype’s first flight on April 29th, 1959, the manufacturer designed a variant featuring an extended wing mainplane and more powerful engines - approximately 60 examples of this Do 28A-1.
Another 60 of the Do 28B-1 variant were produced, with the primary difference being an enlarged nose, increased tailplane area, and enhanced fuel stores. However, the main reason behind the Do 28 family’s success is the Do 28D, denoted “Skyservant,” and its derivatives.
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Sales began to take off with its new, more boxy fuselage, larger wing, and powerful 380-horsepower Lycoming O-540 (ISGO-540) engines. Dornier’s D-2 variant featured a very popular reinforced fuselage capable of carrying more passengers and had an increased maximum takeoff weight. All in all, over 170 of the Do 28D-2 were delivered.
There are several other one-off variants of the Do 28D, notably utilizing increasingly powerful engines, but we would go on for a while about specific differences here. Thanks in part to its general utility design and STOL capabilities, dozens of operators have found the aircraft particularly useful. While a few civil operators scattered between Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America have enjoyed their examples, far more militaries and Air Forces have taken delivery of the Do 28.
By multiple accounts, over 20 government militaries either currently have examples of the type or at least were former operators. Despite being first introduced in the late 1950s, several of the 375 models are still in active service. Some of the many roles these aircraft fulfill include close-air support, medical evacuation, maritime or Navy missions, commercial use for passengers or cargo, VIP transport, and as an intelligence and surveillance scout.
That’s not all for the mighty Do 28, however. In the late 1970s, Dornier took a Do 28D, redeveloped the fuselage and their “TNT” wing (Tragflügel neuer Technologie – Aerofoil new technology), ultimately creating the Do 228, a popular utility and passenger airliner. According to ch-aviation, 45 carriers still operate over 200 examples of the Do 228 today, though close to 400 have been built since production started.
Sources: Military Factory, ch-aviation