A historic World War II Dornier Do 17 bomber—known as “The Flying Pencil” due to its slender design—will soon be unveiled to the public at the RAF Museum Midlands in Shropshire.
The remarkable restoration project of this aircraft, shot down by the RAF and submerged for over 70 years, showcases a significant moment in British aviation history.
Set for an early 2025 display, key parts of the German Luftwaffe aircraft, including its wings, engines, and propellers, will offer visitors a glimpse into the technological and historical significance of the Battle of Britain.
Dr. Harry Raffal, Head of Collections and Research at the RAF museum in Cosford, described the display as “a remarkable moment for aviation history in Britain” and a rare opportunity to understand a pivotal WWII battle through the lens of cutting-edge aviation engineering of the time.
Recovered in June 2013 from the seabed off Goodwin Sands, Kent, this particular Dornier Do 17 was originally downed by an RAF Boulton Paul Defiant in August 1940.
It remains the only known complete Dornier Do 17 today, with over 400 of these bombers deployed during the war.
The plane’s recovery and conservation required years of meticulous work, as its parts endured the effects of prolonged exposure to seawater.
Specialists treated the plane’s body, wings, and other components with a low-concentration citric acid solution to remove sediment and neutralize corrosion before moving them to hydration tunnels for further stabilization.
Now, after more than a decade of conservation, the wings, propellers, and engines will finally go on display.
Visitors can also view the Boulton Paul Defiant—an aircraft made in Wolverhampton and the very model that helped bring down this Dornier Do 17.
The museum hopes to eventually display the plane’s fuselage, currently in storage due to space limitations, in the future.
With this exhibit, the RAF Museum offers audiences a unique, tangible connection to Britain’s aviation legacy and the technological edge that shaped one of the defining battles of WWII.
Also read: Director Gurinder Chadha Calls For Greater Industry Support For Diverse Films
