A Rare Ju-87 Stuka Found in Baltic and is Being Recovered

The German army is currently raising from the Baltic sea floor a Junkers Ju-87 Sturzkampfflugzueg (or "Stuka") located in roughly 60 feet of water. Found six miles off the coast of the German Baltic island of Rugen, the aircraft is, according to reports, in good condition. 

Perhaps the most famous dive bomber of the Second World War, the Ju-87 "Stuka"served throughout the war as Germany's primary close air support aircraft. The Stuka carried a range of new technologies that enabled its pilots to achieve a high degree of accuracy. Nevertheless, it was a slow, short-range aircraft capable of carrying no more than a light bomb load for any reasonable distance. That said, when operating in areas where the Luftwaffe held air superiority the Stuka proved a potent close air support weapon. Later versions even carried "tank-busting" high velocity cannon under their wings, and these aircraft proved lethal against even the most heavily protected armor.

By all accounts the aircraft being recovered from the Baltic represents a tremendous find as only a couple of intact Stuka's are currently on display (at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and the Royal Air Force Museum in London). So let's hope that this particular piece of history can be fully restored.