Although the designation Do 28 D suggests this, it is not a variant of the first Do 28 series. The aircraft has only roughly the outer shape and the wing construction in common with the Do 28 A and Do 28 B. It was completely redesigned with rectangular cross-sections for the fuselage and engine nacelles. The aim was to create a robust, easy-to-load, and easy-to-repair aircraft with the simplest possible design for use in difficult conditions. 

Between 1971 and 1974, after the four prototypes, 121 further Dornier Do 28 D-2 Skyservants were built in Oberpfaffenhofen for the German Armed Forces and served mainly as transport and liaison aircraft until the introduction of the Dornier 228-LT (1994). The Navy received 20 aircraft of this series, ten of which were also used for maritime surveillance from 1978 and were therefore fitted with tanks for additional fuel on the wings (see photo). The high noise level, which was increasingly outdated, was perceived as annoying. For this reason, there was also a further development, the Do 128-6, with a much quieter turbine engine. An aircraft of this type was equipped with the “New Technology Wing” (TNT) as a test carrier for the Dornier 228.

The aircraft type was flown in 30 countries and still flies in some of them today.

The crew consisted of two pilots and up to twelve passengers could be carried.