A quick translation of the article:
Here is the german fighter plane
Local divers recently found a german fighter plane, which crashed during the war in outer Namdal.
The plane is a Messerschmitt Bf 109, and it was found north of Vikna in northern Trøndelag.
The wreck was spotted with a mini submarine, and the mood was great when hte wreck was discovered.
- it was crazy, there was complete silence for two seconds. Then all hell broke loose, says Hilfred Mikaelsen from the Folla Diver's Club, to NRK Trøndelag.
Well preserved
The fighter crashed in february of 1943. It was on its way northward on a reconnoisance misison with two other fighters, when it encountered engine problems over Rørvik
- the plane dived, but the pilot managed to straighten up the plane before it hit the water surface. The pilot got out and was rescued by a woman who lived on an island nearby, Mikaelsen says.
The fighter is well preserved despite the many years in the lake.
- we've seen other aircraft wrecks, but none that has been as well preserved before. And we were overjoyed, Hilfred Mikaelsen tells.
Extensive search
The search for the plane has been going on for many years, and Mikaelsen himself joined the search in 1983.
- we've both been diving and pulled seine [sic], and the search has been covering a large area.
There's been different stories to work from. But when we got the mini sub, things has been much easier, is has got a sonar system, he says.
But even with modern equipment, it took 6-7 pours, before the vreck was spotted.
Valuable find
Birger Larsen is a conservationist at the Norwegian Aviation Museum in Bodø, he says that the discovery is very valuable for the museum.
The museum is already restoring an aircraft of the same type.
- judging from the video, it looks like there are parts that we can use, but we can't get a complete overview before the plane has been raised, Larsen tells NRK.
He says that it's the norwegian state who owns german plane wrecks from the war, and that it's the Museum of Defense, who are responsible.
They've said that they have no interest in the plane which has now been found.
Birger Larsen hopes that the plane can be raised as soon as possible, but he doesn't know when it might happen.
- to raise the aircraft is a huge project; we would love to raise it as soon as possible, but it all depends on the weather, and the acces to both personnel and finances, Birger Larsen from the Norwegian Aviation Museum says.
Wants to see the plane in Bodø
Hilfred Mikaelsen hopes that the fighter plane will get raised, and that they'll be able to see parts of it on display at the museum in Bodø.
- absolutely, that would be incredibly nice, we all agree on that.
- what will you be looking for next?
- oh, we've got so much, and now there's certainly going to be more search trips, says Hilfred Mikaelsen from the Folla Diver's Club.
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Cheers,
Maria.