New paint for VFW-614 D-ASAX

VFW-614 D-ASAX has been given a new fresh paintjob by a group of Airbus-interns at Hamburg-Finkenwerder. The aircraft will soon be added to the small collection of historical static aircraft at the Airbus-plant.

D-ASAX has c/n G.15 and was delivered in September 1977 as F-GATI to Air Alsace. It was withdrawn from service in February 1980 and parked at Bremen, where it resided for many years.

The VFW-614 is a very a-typical jetliner and the only one featuring overwing jet engines. The aircraft was designed as a DC-3 replacement and the location of the engines was to prevent dirt and debries from being sucked into the engines when operating from rough terrain.

The project was launched in 1968 and the first VFW-614 flew on 14 July 1971. The project was not a success, especially not as partner Fokker was focused on selling the competitive F-27 and F-28. Only three airlines operated the type and a total of 19 were produced.