The 44 seat short-field capable VFW 614 was a Regional jet way ahead of its time. It first flew in July 1971 and was powered by 2 very quiet Rolls-Royce/Snecma M45H Mk.501 turbofans. Rolls-Royce’s bankruptcy in 1971 & losing a prototype in 1972 did not help its future. A few were sold to TAT, Air Alsace, Cimber Air & the Luftwaffe. A few things that finally killed it off were re-occurring engine problems, VFWs merger with Fokker and it was too expensive for the regional airlines it was designed for. Cancelled in 1977 after 21 being built. Most aircraft were sold back and out of service by 1981. The Luftwaffe operated some until 1999. The last airworthy VFW 614 was in use with DLR (ATTAS) project. Dased in Braunschweig, Germany for many years, D-ADAM was retired in December 2012.
It’s a shame with a bit more luck the VFW 614 could have done very well?
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| Photo George Woods D-BABI c/n G09 Farnborough 10.9.76 |
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| D-BABA c/n G01 landing after it's first flight 14th July 1971 |
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| click on photo for link |
GREAT SITE ABOUT THE VFW 614:
http://www.vfw614.de/index2_e.html
How about building your own! Click on the pic below for printing
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