With financial backing from the West German government, VFW-Fokker initiated construction and development of three prototypes of a short-range twin-turbofan civil transport designated VFW 614. The first of these prototypes was flown on 14 July 1971, certification was gained on 23 August 1974 and the first of the production aircraft was flown on 28 April 1975. A cantilever low-wing monoplane with moderately swept wings and tail surfaces, this 40/44-passenger aircraft had an unusual design feature: the installation of its two 32kN thrust Rolls-Royce/SNECMA M45H Mk 501 turbo-fan engines, one pylon-mounted above each wing. With only limited orders for 16 aircraft from Air Alsace (three), Cimber Air (two), Touraine Air Transport (eight) and the Luftwaffe (three), the VFW 614 was uneconomic to build, and production ended in early 1978 after the completion of these aircraft.