Dornier
Do 29
The Dornier Do 29 is a twin‑engine light transport and utility aircraft developed in West Germany during the early 1960s. Conceived as a more powerful successor to the Do 27, the Do 29 first flew on 25 June 1965 and entered service with the Luftwaffe the following year. Powered by two 1 550 hp turboprop engines mounted on the wing’s leading edge, the aircraft could carry up to 20 passengers or 1 200 kg of cargo, and its high‑mounted wing and robust fixed landing gear gave it excellent short‑field and STOL performance. A spacious cabin, large cargo doors and optional paratroop configurations made the Do 29 popular for troop transport, supply drops, and ambulance missions. Its all‑metal airframe, high wing, and simple, reliable systems appealed to both military and civilian operators, leading to sales to several European air forces and to civil operators for regional transport and aerial survey work. Although production ceased in 1970 after just 72 airframes, the Do 29 demonstrated the versatility of turboprop power in rugged environments and cemented Dornier’s reputation for creating adaptable utility aircraft that could operate from unprepared strips worldwide. Today, the remaining Do 29s are prized by vintage flyers and museums, illustrating a pivotal step in post‑war European aircraft design.
Classification
Production & History
- Units Produced
- 2
- First Flight
- 1958