UNKNOWN — 1981 Dowa 81 Data

238 aircraft records found
UNKNOWN
1981 Dowa 81, c/n 01
Share Photo Links

UNKNOWN is a 1981 Dowa 81 (serial number 01). It is configured with 2 engines and 5 seats. Registration status is listed as Preserved, with ownership recorded under Deutsches Museum in Germany. The profile includes 5 photos documenting this aircraft.

Latest photos of UNKNOWN
Total 5 photos.
Aircraft UNKNOWN, Wagner DOWA 81 built secretly from off-the-shelf items (motorcycle-engines) in Dresden, East Germany (DDR) to escape with his family to the West. It did never fly (they got arrested) but was judged to be airworthy. At the Deutsches Museum, München (Munich, photo by Ingo Warnecke
Ingo Warnecke
Aircraft UNKNOWN, Wagner DOWA 81 built secretly from off-the-shelf items (motorcycle-engines) in Dresden, East Germany (DDR) to escape with his family to the West. It did never fly (they got arrested) but was judged to be airworthy. At the Deutsches Museum, München (Munich, photo by Ingo Warnecke
Ingo Warnecke
Aircraft UNKNOWN, Wagner DOWA 81 built secretly from off-the-shelf items (motorcycle-engines) in Dresden, East Germany (DDR) to escape with his family to the West. It did never fly (they got arrested) but was judged to be airworthy. At the Deutsches Museum, München (Munich, photo by Ingo Warnecke
Ingo Warnecke
Aircraft UNKNOWN, Wagner DOWA 81 built secretly from off-the-shelf items (motorcycle-engines) in Dresden, East Germany (DDR) to escape with his family to the West. It did never fly (they got arrested) but was judged to be airworthy. At the Deutsches Museum, München (Munich, photo by Ingo Warnecke
Ingo Warnecke
Airframe Info
Manufacturer Dowa
Model 81 Search all Dowa 81
Year built 1981
Construction Number (C/N) 01
Aircraft Type Fixed wing multi engine
Number of Seats 5
Number of Engines 2
Engine Type Reciprocating
Aircraft
Registration Number UNKNOWN
Mode S (ICAO24) Code
Current Status Preserved
Owner
Owner Deutsches Museum
Address ,
Germany
User Comments
Malcolm Clarke, 2014-06-25 09:01:40
This homebuilt aircraft was designed and built to enable a family of five to escape from East to West Germany in 1981, but has never flown. The family were arrested the day before their planned escape. They were charged with 'Preparing an illegal border crossing in a heavy case', convicted and imprisoned for one year. They were then deported to the Federal Republic of Germany.
To keep construction a secret, the builder used only non aviation-grade materials and generally available components. Power was provided by two East German MZ motorcycle engines.