The commercially unsuccessful VFW-Fokker VFW-614 showing its unique engine mounting configuration. Broken up January 1981, Lemwerder, Germany.

The third VFW-Fokker VFW-614. Broken up January 1981, Lemwerder, Germany.

Location may be Paris-Le Bourget. Photographer not known.

VAK stands for the German equivalent of VTOL/reconaisannce/strike fighter and the 191B was intended to operate after a Soviet first strike on West German airfields. The type was intended to eventually serve as a replacement for the Fiat G.91 but, after suffering from a protracted development cycle, the focus of programme development was changed to test-fly a limited number of prototypes, using the VAK 191B effectively as a technology demonstrator and experimental aircraft for VFW. A total of 91 flights were performed prior to the retirement of all three prototypes in 1975.

The ill-fated prototype seen at Bremen on April 5, 1971. During a test flight at 3000 meters over Bremen on February 1, 1972, the engine exhaust stream induced antisymmetric resonance oscillations of the horizontal stabilizer and the aircraft went into a dive. The crew of 3 bailed out (but one parachute did not open) and the aircraft crashed.

Demonstrator

3rd prototype

2nd prototype

The only VFW-614 with a side stick installed.

Painted as the VFW-614 prototype D-BABK. On display on the roof top visitors terrace at Bremen Airport. Ex D-BABO, F-GATI. D-ASAX was WFU in 1980, the same year as the prototype, D-BABK, was broken up

Painted as the VFW-614 prototype D-BABK. On display on the roof top visitors terrace at Bremen Airport. Ex D-BABO, F-GATI. D-ASAX was WFU in 1980, the same year as the prototype, D-BABK, was broken up

slide from the NK collection. - After the loss of the prototype (D-BABA) in February 1972, airframes G-02 and G-03 had to perform all the test flights. But despite all efforts, the VFW-614 was never a commercial success, and eventually only 19 aircraft were completed. D-BABB was broken up at Lemwerder in 1980.

The VFW-614 was no commercial success; this airframe saw no commercial airline service and was scrapped three years after its first flight on 31/MAR/77. By the way - this one was the real D-BABK: another airframe (G15) is still preserved, wearing the fake reg "D-BABK" and identical colours. - slide from the NK collection.

The second and third VFW 614s, D-BABB and D-BABC. D-BABA had crashed on 1 February 1972. Photo from: Nationaal Archief (Netherlands)

Operating a flight from/to Bremen. The aircraft was the second prototype for VFW with its first flight on January 14, 1972. It was withdrawn from use at Bremen between February 1979 and April 1980 and broken up at Lemwerder in June 1980.

On the main runway, after its flying display.