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WWII Dornier bomber to undergo conservation at RAF museum | WWII Dornier bomber to undergo conservation at RAF museum |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A German World War II bomber salvaged from the English Channel has arrived at an RAF museum where it will undergo the first stage of conservation. | A German World War II bomber salvaged from the English Channel has arrived at an RAF museum where it will undergo the first stage of conservation. |
The badly-damaged Dornier Do-17 aircraft was transported from Ramsgate to RAF Cosford in Shropshire. | The badly-damaged Dornier Do-17 aircraft was transported from Ramsgate to RAF Cosford in Shropshire. |
It was lifted from the seabed more than 70 years after it was shot down during the Battle of Britain. | It was lifted from the seabed more than 70 years after it was shot down during the Battle of Britain. |
The project is believed to be the biggest recovery of its kind in British waters. | The project is believed to be the biggest recovery of its kind in British waters. |
The fuselage and wings were taken on the 200-mile journey from Ramsgate to the museum by two low loader lorries. | |
Delighted members of the public and museum staff welcomed the Dornier as it arrived on site. | Delighted members of the public and museum staff welcomed the Dornier as it arrived on site. |
'Rare and exciting' | 'Rare and exciting' |
Alex Medhurst, general manager at RAF Museum Cosford, said: "After all the hard work, planning and setbacks, it's great to know the Dornier is finally here at Cosford. | Alex Medhurst, general manager at RAF Museum Cosford, said: "After all the hard work, planning and setbacks, it's great to know the Dornier is finally here at Cosford. |
"It will be a rare and exciting opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal to a unique piece of aviation history and the chance to view it in its salvaged state." | "It will be a rare and exciting opportunity for visitors to get up close and personal to a unique piece of aviation history and the chance to view it in its salvaged state." |
The aircraft will stay in RAF Cosford's purpose-built hydration tunnels for the first stage of its conservation. | The aircraft will stay in RAF Cosford's purpose-built hydration tunnels for the first stage of its conservation. |
The plane was raised from the English Channel off the Kent coast in a single lift on 10 June by attaching equipment to the fragile frame. | The plane was raised from the English Channel off the Kent coast in a single lift on 10 June by attaching equipment to the fragile frame. |
The hour-long operation was hindered by strong winds for weeks until a window of good weather made the salvage possible. | The hour-long operation was hindered by strong winds for weeks until a window of good weather made the salvage possible. |
£600,000 project | £600,000 project |
An earlier plan to construct a cage around the wreck before lifting it was abandoned after it became clear that it would take too long and send the £600,000 project over budget. | An earlier plan to construct a cage around the wreck before lifting it was abandoned after it became clear that it would take too long and send the £600,000 project over budget. |
The existence of the aircraft at Goodwin Sands became known when it was spotted by divers in 2008 at a depth of some 50ft (15m), lying on a chalk bed with a small debris field around it. | The existence of the aircraft at Goodwin Sands became known when it was spotted by divers in 2008 at a depth of some 50ft (15m), lying on a chalk bed with a small debris field around it. |
Sonar scans by the RAF Museum, Wessex Archaeology and the Port of London Authority then confirmed the identity of the aircraft as the Dornier Do 17Zv Werke number 1160. | Sonar scans by the RAF Museum, Wessex Archaeology and the Port of London Authority then confirmed the identity of the aircraft as the Dornier Do 17Zv Werke number 1160. |
The wreck is believed to be aircraft call-sign 5K-AR, shot down on August 26, 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain. | The wreck is believed to be aircraft call-sign 5K-AR, shot down on August 26, 1940, at the height of the Battle of Britain. |
'Flying pencil' | 'Flying pencil' |
Two of the four crew members died and were buried elsewhere, and two - including the pilot - survived to become prisoners of war. | Two of the four crew members died and were buried elsewhere, and two - including the pilot - survived to become prisoners of war. |
It was nicknamed the Luftwaffe's 'flying pencil' because of its narrow fuselage. | It was nicknamed the Luftwaffe's 'flying pencil' because of its narrow fuselage. |
Experts are excited by the find because, apart from the effects of such a long time spent on the seabed - such as barnacles and coral - it is largely intact. | Experts are excited by the find because, apart from the effects of such a long time spent on the seabed - such as barnacles and coral - it is largely intact. |
Amazingly the main undercarriage tyres remain inflated, although the propellers clearly show the damage inflicted during the bomber's fateful final landing, experts have said. | Amazingly the main undercarriage tyres remain inflated, although the propellers clearly show the damage inflicted during the bomber's fateful final landing, experts have said. |
Once the delicate process of conservation is complete, the aircraft will be displayed at the RAF Museum in London. | Once the delicate process of conservation is complete, the aircraft will be displayed at the RAF Museum in London. |
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