‘Sealion Ju 52’ revealed at Hawkinge

CASA 352L completed as a Ju 52/3m that might have taken part in the invasion of Britain

At the Kent Battle of Britain Museum at Hawkinge, the recently acquired CASA 352L serial T.2B-272 — a Spanish-built Junkers Ju 52/3m — went on display on 1 April as the museum opened for the 2023 season. The former Spanish Air Force transport/paratroop trainer had arrived at Hawkinge from the RAF Museum Midlands at Cosford on 19 November 2022, having been deaccessioned from the RAFM collection 44 years after its donation by the Spanish government.

The rapid restoration project has been led by museum chairman Dave Brocklehurst MBE, together with his assistant, Mitchell Carr, who became the museum’s first full-time employee during May 2022 having been a volunteer for the previous nine years. Work has been undertaken by 20 of the 50-plus volunteers at Hawkinge. The original paintwork was stripped to bare metal and prepared for repainting by Julian Richardson, professional paint-sprayer, classic car restorer and Hawkinge volunteer.

The colour scheme has been created by another volunteer, Clint Mitchell. Although fictitious, it is believed to closely resemble what a Ju 52/3m from 6./KGzbV 1 — one of the units that would have spearheaded Operation ‘Sealion’, the planned invasion of Great Britain — may have looked like.

CASA 352 T.2B-272, now wearing the markings that would likely have been seen on a Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 52/3m had Operation ‘Sealion’ gone ahead during 1940.
CASA 352 T.2B-272, now wearing the markings that would likely have been seen on a Luftwaffe Junkers Ju 52/3m had Operation ‘Sealion’ gone ahead during 1940. DAVE BROCKLEHURST

Although no transport units had undergone any preparation for ‘Sealion’, it is recorded that KGzbV 1 and KGzbV 2 were planned to move to France, should the invasion have become a real possibility. One of the first targets had ‘Sealion’ taken place would have been RAF Hawkinge, with the dropping of Fallschirmjäger (paratroops) from Ju 52/3ms. After securing the airfield, more Ju 52s would have flown in additional troops, munitions and supplies.

Dave Brocklehurst says, “The trustees at Hawkinge are also excited to announce that during May the fuselage interior will be turned into a new education facility for schools, colleges, and other groups where they can be taught about the Battle of Britain and the possibility of Operation ‘Sealion’. We have already had an enquiry from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to see if they can use it for education purposes.”