WWII German bomber pulled out of English Channel

A World War II-era German bomber was pulled from the bottom of the English Channel on Monday.

The Dornier Do-17 bomber was shot down over 70 years ago during the Battle of Britain. 

The Associated Press said it "could be the last intact model" of the bomber, commonly referred to as the "flying pencil" because of its shape. 

The medium bomber is thought to have been shot down on August 26, 1940 during the peak of the battle. 

The piece will be towed into port in the southern down of Deal on Tuesday, after which it will go on display at the Royal Air Force Museum.

The museum's effort to salvage the rare item had to be postponed several times due to inclement weather. 

BBC's Nick Higham, who had clambered aboard the salvaging ship, said conditions were "near perfect" for the transfer late Monday. 

Divers discovered the bomber in 2008, but rescue efforts didn't begin until the National Heritage Memorial Fund provided a huge grant for the operation, said BBC.