This month's aero enthusiast magazines in the UK have featured excellent colour photos of a complete Ju 52 being salvaged off Leros, Greece by the Hellenic Air Force salvage unit.

The aircraft, 4V+BT, had lain in 135ft of water since being shot down on 14th November, 1943. The salvage operation took place last month and the aircraft emerged from the sea in remarkably well-preserved condition, with markings still clearly visible.

The remains will be displayed at the HAF Museum, Dekelia and one hopes that staff there are well-versed in corrosion-retarding techniques.

A remarkable relic.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

ill have 2 have a look at that shortly . they seem 2 be finding ww2 aircraft a lot lately , if not in the sea , in russia and even a 109 in india . obviously bad news at the time but things that would otherwise be gone foreva are at the bottom of the sea undisturbed in one sort of large museum just waiting 2 be discovered!!!!

Having been to the Acropolis In Athens and seeing the state of that I hardly have the kind of faith that you have Martin [img]smile.gif[/img]

Another example:
It took the italians around 5 years to restore the Acropolis in Rhodes (exterior only) to its former glory after 2000 years of neglect. When the Islands passed back to Greek control, after the WW2, well, put it this way I have inlaws working there on a project that has gone for about 12 years now and there are about 5 column standing and one temple thats half rebuilt...

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Der große Stoß Büstenhalter auf Ihrem Kopf!!

Incidents like the containment of the "VASA" and other ships from the ocean give me faith as the capabilities of individuals to preserve maritime relics for future generations - but only when they have the drive to do so!

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- Modus -
modus@thmodus.com
Obergefreiter Hermann Van der Waal
25. Panzer Grenadier Division

Just found a couple of online pics of the Ju52 : -

http://www.dodecaneso.org/Ju52Leros.htm

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

Were any bodies or other items found indicating someone died aboard her?

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"If your gonna buy the angel s**t, you might as well go for the zombie package as well."
-George Carlin

The remains of, according to one magazine, a crewmember, according to another, a paratrooper who failed to jump in time ( ) were found in the aircraft. A number of personal items including a ring, Luger pistol and Leica camera were also found.

The German War Graves authority has taken charge of the remains which will be interred on Crete.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

The body found aboard Ju 52/3m, now known to be 8T+CP, has been positively identified as being that of the air engineer, Uffz Kurt Hanuschek.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson

in case anyone wants to know this Ju 52 version was outfitted with pontoons and the type served even in the Baltic in 1945........

thanks for the info Martin !

~E