Dornier Do 17 Recovery

Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 08:24 PM ET

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Key Takeaways:

A rare Dornier Do 17, believed to be the world's only complete remaining example of the WWII bomber, was recovered off the coast of Kent.
The aircraft had been submerged in 50 feet of water for over 70 years after being shot down during the Battle of Britain, yet was found in surprisingly good condition with its identity plate still legible.
Known as the "flying pencil" due to its thin shape, its preservation involves significant restoration work.

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A closer look at the preservation work of the rare WWII bomber.

**The Dornier Do 17 being raised off the coast of Kent. The airplane is believed to be the only remaining complete airplane of its kind in the world.
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**The rare airplane had been submerged in 50 feet of water for more than 70 years after being shot down during the Battle of Britain. Despite spending so much time under water, the aircraft has remained in surprisingly good condition.
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**The Dornier Do 17’s identity plate remained legible, enabling a positive ID of the aircraft.
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Because of its thin shape, the bomber was nicknamed the “flying pencil.”

A rare color photograph of a Dornier Do 17Z in flight.

A formation of Dornier Do 17Z bombers in flight.

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