In pictures: German Dornier bomber raised from English Channel

Crane operators pulling the rusted plane out of the sea — Image caption,
A World War II Dornier Do-17 bomber has been raised from the English Channel just off the Kent coast, where it has been lying for more than 70 years.

The rusted plane, missing part of a wing, held up by a crane

Experts believe the German plane is the last remaining intact Dornier Do-17 bomber in existence.

A piece of the rusted plane hanging off the rest

Parts of the fragile wreck of the plane are missing. It was shot down on 26 August 1940. Two of the four crew members died and were buried elsewhere, and two - including the pilot - survived to become prisoners of war.

The rusted plane hanging from straps under a crane on a ship

The wreck was spotted by divers in 2008. A grant of more than £345,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) allowed the RAF Museum salvage attempt to go ahead, but it was held up for several weeks by the weather.

The Dornier's propellers show the damage inflicted during the bomber's crash, experts say.

Dornier bomber wreckage being lifted on to barge

The bomber's remains were lifted on to a barge, which will dock at Ramsgate on Tuesday. Experts plan to spray the wings and fuselage with water and a combination of citric acid and sodium hydroxide in an attempt to halt corrosion.

The wreckage of the Second World War German Dornier Do-17 bomber on a salvage barge

A spokesman said the lifting operation had been an "absolute success" and the aircraft "looks great". The Dornier will now be restored in Shropshire before going on display at the RAF Museum in Hendon, north London.