The DC-3 that disappeared Swedish Air Force Museum (Flygvapenmuseum), Linköping, Sweden

On June 13, 1952 the DC-3 took off from Bromma in Stockholm on an Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) gathering radio eavesdropping mission over international waters in the Baltic. Two hours later communications were lost. No trace of it was found apart from a deflated dinghy with traces of Soviet ammunition. It was at the height of the Cold War when tensions were high between East and West. The mapping and assessment of the Soviet’s system was important for Sweden’s defence. A Soviet MiG-15 had been ordered to shoot the DC-3 down using 23mm and 37mm automatic cannon. The port engine oil tank was hit causing a severe fire. The Soviet Union did not admit liability for the shooting down until the 1990s. The aircraft was found 410 feet (126 meters) from the surface in 2003. A search and salvage operation was conducted over 50 years after the DC-3 was lost. On March 19, 2004 it was finally brought to the surface along with the remains of four of the eight crew members. It was then discovered that the DC-3 had impacted with the sea with great force the engines had been torn from their mounts, the cockpit crushed and the left wing torn off. The left and right tail plane had folded up against the tail fin. The fuselage despite the corrosion from over 50 years on the Baltic Sea bed shows signs of shell holes with the metal bent inwards. Exposed to oxygen the decay of the metal was accelerated to prevent this it has been treated with a rust inhibitor which has given it a golden brown colour. The wreck in the condition it was found on the sea bed has now been put on display and in a very stunning and moving way. In the darkened basement of the new building the crumpled DC-3 wreckage is displayed in a glass case with red and blue lighting. Haunting background music is playing continuously and the full story is displayed on boards around the room. The whole effect is remarkably moving and is an outstanding tribute to the eight airmen who were lost and to the suffering of a peace loving nation during the Cold War.