Dornier Do 17 arrival at RAF Museum Cosford

The Royal Air Force Museum Cosford this weekend took delivery of the world’s last surviving Dornier Do 17, recently salvaged from the bottom of the English Channel. The fuselage and wings were escorted from Ramsgate, Kent, to the Museum by two low loader lorries.

Delighted members of the public and Museum staff welcomed the Dornier as it arrived on site, late afternoon. Shortly after its arrival, a crane lifted the fuselage and wings from the transportation lorry before being placed inside the purpose built hydration tunnels, where the Dornier will stay for the first stage of its conservation.

Alex Medhurst, General Manager at RAF Museum Cosford says:

“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 in the Midlands to get up close and personal to a unique piece of aviation history and the chance to view it in its salvaged state.”

More than 1,500 examples of the Dornier 17 medium bomber were built. The twin engine, twin fin configuration together with the narrow fuselage and shoulder mounted engines gave the aircraft a distinctive silhouette and earned it the nickname ‘The Flying Pencil’. Over 400 were employed by the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain.

The aircraft will be on view to members of the public from 10am on Sunday 16th June. It is anticipated that thousands of aviation fans from across the Midlands will head to the Museum to catch a glimpse of the aircraft which has captured the imaginations of the public worldwide.

Thanks to the support of WarGaming.Net the Dornier Exhibition will soon be on display to member of the public at Cosford.

Admission to the Museum and viewing the Dornier is FREE of charge. Anyone wishing to donate towards the conservation of the aircraft can do so online via the Museum website www.ramuseum.org. For more information please call the Museum on 01902 376200.

Tags: , , ,