The Royal Air Force Museum, with sites at RAF Cosford and in London, UK, are seeking support from the public to raise suffucient funds to rescue and preserve a unique piece of World War 2 history from just off the coast of Kent.

According to their latest newsletter and a page on their site here, the Museum is trying to raise the final £250,000 to help save and preserve the only known remaining Dornier Do-17 from Goodwin Sands, where it has lain since being shot down on 26th August 1940, exactly 71 years ago yesterday. To quote the museum website:

“The aircraft is in remarkable condition – considering that it was damaged in air combat and has spent so many years under water. Other than marine concretion, it is largely intact, the main undercarriage tyres remain inflated and the propellers clearly show the damage inflicted during the aircraft’s final landing.

Since the Dornier emerged from the sands two years ago, the RAF Museum has worked with Wessex Archaeology and English Heritage, as well as Imperial College London and the Dornier Museum, to complete a full survey of the wreck site in preparation for the aircraft’s recovery and eventual exhibition.

Work to conserve and prepare the Dornier for display will be undertaken at the RAF Museum’s award-winning conservation centre at Cosford. Here the Dornier will be placed alongside the Museum’s Vickers Wellington which is currently undergoing long term restoration.”

For further information and if you are interested in making a donation, please visit the RAF Museum here.