A rare German aircraft discovered on a sandbank 70 years after it was shot down during the Battle of Britan is to be raised and conserved. The twin engine Dornier 17 was first spotted on the Goodwin Sands off the coast of Deal, Kent, England two years ago.
A spokesperson for the RAF Museum, has worked with the Wessex Archaeology to complete a full survey of the aircraft wreck site before the plane is recoverd and eventually exhibited as part of the Battle of Britan Beacon project.
The bomber, known as the Flying Pencil because of its sleek design was part of a large enemy formation that was attempting to attack an airfield in Essex on August 26, 1940. Before reaching its target destination. an RAF fighted shot the bomber down. The pilot, Willi Effmert, attempted to make a wheels-up landing on the water. Although he landed safely, the aircraft sank. He was captured with one other crewman, but two others died.
An underwater sidescan revealed the Dornier 17 in good condition considering that it remained underwater for 70 years. The tires were still inflated, but the propellers were twisted after suffering its final landing. The aircraft is a unique and unprecedented survivor of the Battle of Britian.
Story by the Daily Mail Reporter. Courtesy of Crackers Nautical News
Montani semper liberi ! Happy modeling to all and every one of you.
It would be a great example for the aviation historians to see. I’ll bet too, that after see is recovered and the markings verified there will be many decal sets available for this bird, and why not! She’ll be a new celebrity.
I wonder if revell have a plan to release one of these in 1/32 to follow in their JU88 and their up and coming HE111.
I have found that Revells’ recent releases of the JU88 and the Arado to be really good kits, fun to build (it is a hobby after all) and well detailed. I will admit to being over excited about the JU88 and messed it up instead of taking my time and actually ENJOYING the build, so another is on the cards at some point.
I would just love to get my hands on a pre-production heinkel 111 just out of curiosity but my LHS knows what I want!!! [;)].
So, come on Revell, keep these cracking 1/32 kits coming and lets see a DO17 for christmas!
Welllll, most of the actual survivors (aka not shot down) were either shot down somewhere else or scrapped, so I guess this one is technically a survivor… because it was shot down in the right spot… ahhhh, my head!!!
I think I saw an article about this in either FlyPast or Classic Aviation out of England.
