After more than 70 years submerged beneath the waters of the Goodwin Sands in the North Sea, the rare artefact was salvaged and will now be displayed at RAF Cosford Museum.
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.
The Do 17 wing section will be available for public viewing from early 2025. RAF Cosford Museum is based just outside of Wolverhampton on the border with Shropshire. You can also access it via train: Cosford is located on the Birmingham to Shrewsbury line (via Wolverhampton) then ½ mile walk. There is no footpath alongside the road.
1. The section will now go on display at RAF Cosford
Dornier Do 17 being recovered from the sea in June 2013 | RAF
2. The wing section of an iconic Second World War Dornier Do 17
RAF Museum Conservation Centre Manager with apprentices-and Dornier Do17 fuselage section | RAF
3. The wing section of an iconic Second World War Dornier Do 17
Volunteers work to restore the rare find | RAF
4. The wing section of an iconic Second World War Dornier Do 17
Apprentices inspect the Dornier Do 17 | RAF