Only Known Example Of The German Bomber To Have Survived The War In Any Condition

The Royal Air Force Museum announced Tuesday that it has successfully lifted a German Dornier Do 17 bomber from the an area of the ocean bottom known as Goodwin Sands off the coast of England. According to the museum, it is the only example of the airplane known to have survived the war in any condition.

The announcement was made on the RAF Museum website. "This incredibly complex and delicate operation was made possible by a dedicated team of Museum staff and a wider group of partners and associates who gave their time, money or knowledge to help us achieve this goal," wrote Peter Dye, Director General of the Museum.

"We would like to thank all those involved as we embark on the second stage of the project and deliver the aircraft to our conservation centre at Cosford. Members of the public wishing to see the Dornier while it is being conserved are invited to do from this week-end onwards.

The recovery and conservation of the Dornier, together with next year’s exciting new exhibition ‘The Great War in the Air’, are the first steps in transforming the Royal Air Force Museum as part of the national and international programme marking the Centenary of the Royal Air Force in 2018.”

The successful recovery of the airplane was delayed by poor weather offshore. An attempt had been planned on June 2, according the museum, but it had to be scrapped.

The aircraft will be transported aboard a support barge directly to Ramsgate Harbour, where it will be dismantled for travel to the Museum’s Conservation Center at Cosford, U.K.

(Image courtesy of the RAF Museum)

FMI: www.rafmuseum.org.uk