A couple of years ago a BMW VI engine was found at Bremen airport during construction work. Needless to say the engine is a little tatty after being buried for some sixty years The initial idea was to display the relic in the same hall as the aircraft but such a mess of an engine would have looked seriously out of place next to these shiny and gleaming aircraft, so the engine was eventually stored in a workshop.
It is a BMW VI series 6 and I would date it from 1930-33. It has a BMW carburettor and my guess it that it came from an Arado Ar 65 biplane. There are three bullet-holes in the right cylinder-row and there are traces of a fire. This engine will no doubt never fly again but the pieces that we have removed so far are internally in an exceptionally good condition like the oil-pump. Apparently the engine was disposed off because of the damage and not because it was worn-out. Besides it is surprising to find such an old engine with battle-damage from WWII. A few Arado 65s were used as night-fighters; perhaps this engine came from one of them.
Thank goodness the airport management were not desperate to keep the engine so when I approached them asking them if I could have it we came to an agreement very quickly.

Regards, Peter