Return of the G18

The second VFW 614 of the German Flugbereitschaft is back home again.

After standing at Lidköping / Sweden serial number G18 came to Nordholz near Cuxhaven.

The "Deutsche Luftschiff- und Marinefliegermuseum" at Nordholz near Cuxhaven is proud to be the new owner of a VFW 614. The aircraft was bought from Ruben Werjefelt who did not succeed in operating the three aircraft G14, G18 and G19 (formerly flown at the German Airforce Flugbereitschaft) at Kopenhagen. All three aircraft have been sold back to Germany. The G18 was the last one to come back. Unfortunately not by air but by sea and land transport.

The aircraft was disassembled at Lidköping / Sweden by the end of august which took one week before a swedish shipping company moved it to Cuxhaven. The re-assembling crew consisted of museum staff, mechanics from Lemwerder and students from Oldenburg. They were coordinated by Prof. Gert Reich, vice chairman of the museum's support association. The progress of the work, the arrival and transport into the museum were documented by Prof. Reich.

The transport by ship arrived at the Cuxhaven CuxPort in the night from friday to saturday, august 30th. The aircraft was unloaded early saturday and set onto trucks for heavy loads. The next day the transport consisting of the three trucks started to move towards Nordholu. It took 2,5 hours until they arrived at the museum on monday, september 1st. Two cranes were awaiting the VFW 614 in order to unload it and place it onto its new place, arranged as if it was waiting for passengers and being ready to fly. It is planned to provide it with its old paintings "Luftwaffe 17+02". Visitors will have the possibility to visit the interior. Infact there is a connection between the VFW 614 and the German Bundesmarine. In the end of the 70s the manufacturer VFW-Fokker offered a special MPA-Version of the VFW 614 to the Bundesmarine. Placards in the museum give information about this project which was not realized.

The museum staff did an expert reconstruction of the aircraft so it is nearly in the same state as it was at Lidköping. Herr Hagestedt of ASL Lemwerder provided his knowledge as aircraft mechanic. The aircraft itself now occupies the most beautiful place at the museum.

Finally it may be noted that the Aeronauticum is a small but nice and well cared-for museum. The G18 has found a beautiful new home there. The people of the museum are happy to have it there and are going to maintain it in a goog shape since it is there biggest attraction. The Friends of the VFW 614 are happy to have helped to arrange the deal and hope the best for the G18's future at the Aeronauticum.

Jochen Kruth

3.10.2003