As part of the development of the VFW-Fokker VAK 191B vertical take-off aircraft, it was necessary to configure and test the monitoring of its flight control system.

In order to minimise costs and risks during the development of the 191B the SG 1262 rig was designed and built in 1966 to simulate essential functions.

In addition to extensive sensor equipment, the rig used an auxiliary gas turbine for autonomous electrical power supply, it was also fitted with a Martin-Baker ejection seat.

The flight control system had triple redundancy and double electro-hydraulic servo units with integrated self-monitoring.

[3] Despite the discontinuation of all German vertical take-off programs the findings from experiments with the SG 1262 and experience gained from the VAK 191B project were used by German engineers during the development of the Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) project which became the Panavia Tornado.