Part of rare WWII aircraft found in the sea after 70 years to go on display at RAF Museum soon

After more than 70 years submerged beneath the waters of the Goodwin Sands in the North Sea, the rare artefact was salvaged and will offer a 'unique glimpse into the past'. 

Nicknamed the ‘Flying Pencil’ due to its slim fuselage, the Do 17 played a pivotal role in the early stages of the Second World War and is best remembered for its involvement in the Battle of Britain.

Of more than 1,500 Do 17 bombers produced, over 400 were deployed by the Luftwaffe - the German air force - during the battle. Today, only one remains complete.

The wing section set to be displayed comes from this sole surviving Do 17, recovered in a landmark operation led by the RAF Museum in 2013. 

Photos from the dramatic moment when the aircraft was lifted from the seabed can be seen in the video above. 

Dr Harry Raffal, head of collections and research at the RAF Museum, said: "This is a remarkable moment for aviation history in Britain. After more than tens of years of intensive conservation, treatment and stabilisation, the Do 17 will go on public display. It represents not only the culmination of an extraordinary salvage operation but a unique way of understanding the Battle of Britain.

"The new year will see the Do 17 wing section, propellers, and engines situated alongside a Boulton-Paul Defiant, the very type that delivered the final blows to this Do 17. Our audience will see first-hand the thin edge of technology which enabled the RAF and Luftwaffe to fight out the most important battle of a generation."

The Do 17 wing section will be available for public viewing from early 2025, subject to suitable weather conditions for the move. 

The museum is inviting all aviation enthusiasts and families alike to explore the unique addition to the collection. 

For more details and to plan your visit, go to rafmuseum.org/midlands.