Dornier Do 128

Dornier · Germany · first flew 1980 · light aircraft

The Dornier Do 128 was a development of the Do 28 Skyservant family, offering improved turboprop engines while retaining the characteristic sponson-mounted engine arrangement and STOL capability. It served in utility transport and survey roles.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	15.04 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Twin-turboprop STOL utility aircraft from Dornier 28 family
High-wing with fixed undercarriage and sponson-mounted engines
Large cargo door and rough-field capability

Highly distinctive Dornier family look — high straight wing with engines mounted on fuselage-side sponsons rather than the wingtip or underwing positions, giving a uniquely wide, low-set engine arrangement.

Specifications

The Dornier Do 128 has a length of 15.04 m (49 ft).
It has a wingspan of 18 m (59 ft).
Its maximum speed is 370 km/h (230 mph).
Typical crew: 2 + 14.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The Do 128 evolved through the Do 28D Skyservant into a turboprop-powered development in the late 1970s and early 1980s, aimed at military and paramilitary operators requiring rugged short-field performance. It found buyers among African and South American operators needing bush transport capability.

Variants

The Do 128-2 used Lycoming LTP 101 turboprops; the Do 128-6 used Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A engines. The Do 128T was a specialist maritime patrol variant.

Where you'll see it

Operated by the Nigerian Air Force and various civil utility operators; small numbers served in survey and patrol roles in developing nations.

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