The striking red 1961 Dornier Do 28-A-1, nicknamed ‘Ruby’ [Credit: Art Eichmann]
Key Takeaways:
The 1961 Dornier Do 28-A-1, nicknamed "Ruby," is an exceptionally rare utility aircraft (one of two in the U.S.) that drew significant attention at EAA AirVenture due to its unique design and robust capabilities.
Owner Per "Pepe" Anderas meticulously restored "Ruby," highlighting its German heritage as a versatile transport known for excellent short takeoff and landing (STOL) characteristics and adaptability for operations on diverse, unimproved terrain.
Anderas recently sold "Ruby" to fund the construction of a maternity and pediatrics wing at a hospital in Burkina Faso, naming the wing after the beloved aircraft.
“What is that?”—and variations of the question—were heard repeatedly in the Vintage Aircraft area at EAA AirVenture 2025 whenever visitors caught sight of N841RS, a striking red 1961 Dornier Do 28-A-1.
One of only 60 built and just one of two currently in the U.S., the rare aircraft drew plenty of attention from curious aviators, according to proud owner Per “Pepe” Anderas.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
![The striking red 1961 Dornier Do 28-A-1, nicknamed ‘Ruby’ [Credit: Art Eichmann]](https://www.flyingmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/11/FEA3_Dornier-1.jpeg)
