Chance to help clean a rusting WW2 German bomber

Anyone with an interest in military history, or probably in history in general will be aware that last year the RAF Museum recovered the only known intact Dornier Do 17 bomber that had managed to crash land upside down just off the coast of Kent.

Raised out of the waters last year, the aircraft is undergoing long-term conservation work in a large building in Cosford where it is currently being sprayed with a mild type of lemon juice to remove the results of 75 years in the water.

If you’ve seen the Mary Rose conservation work — same idea, but metal instead of wood.

Although the main frame is “up north”, there will be a chance later this month to get up close to some smaller pieces and have a go at cleaning them.

On Friday 28th of February the RAF Museum in London will be unveiling a brand new display dedicated to the Dornier Do 17 project in the Museum’s Sunderland Hall.

As part of the day’s activities visitors will have for one day only the never to be repeated opportunity to clean parts from the retrieved aircraft under the careful guidance of the Museum’s Conservation Team.

Conservation and Q&A sessions with experts will run from 11am to 1pm and from 2pm to 4pm on the day.

Annoyingly, it’s on a Friday, but then again, just how often does a chance like this come around?

Admission to the unveiling ceremony and to the RAF Museum is free of charge. The opportunity to work on parts of the Dornier Do17 is on a strictly first come, first served basis. The total amount of time that each visitor will be allowed to work on a part will be restricted to 10 minutes each.