In 1943, Adolf Hitler donated 71 Focke-Wulf FW-190 fighter planes to the Turkish air force in an attempt to encourage Turkey to join the Axis in World War II.
Turkey tried to remain neutral, accepting the planes from the Nazis while sending their pilots for training with the British.
The FW-190 was advanced and lightweight. It was considered a match for the early versions of the Spitfire.
Uluhan Hasdal, an amateur aviation historian, believes that he has located 50 of those planes buried underneath an air base in the city of Kayseri.
Turkey provided iron ore and Chromium to Germany. Germany reciprocated by provided warplanes.
As the war was ending, Turkey joined with the Allies. When the war ended, the US insisted that Turkey destroys the German planes and purchase surplus US Navy planes.
Some experts think that the planes were sold for scrap in agreement with a 1947 agreement between the US and Turkey.
At that time the 50 aircraft disappeared. Hasdal believes that, instead of selling them for scrap, the Turkish military dismantled the planes and carefully wrapped them in oil-soaked rags, then buried them under the air base. From there, they could be dug up and reassembled, if needed.
Hasdal went to the Turkish government last year to get permission to dig at the former air base. Red tape has held that request up. It was further delayed because of the coup that recently occurred, Mail Online reported.
Hasdal is certain, though, that a recent survey with a metal detector has provided proof of the location of the aircraft.
Nejat Çuhadaroğlu, the founder of the Hisart Museum, has already expressed an interest in displaying any aircraft that are recovered.
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