The Lufthansa Technik group in Germany has brought back to life the iconic Lockheed L-1649A Super Star. The vintage Lockheed L-1649A, also known as the Super Star, was fully restored and pulled out of the hangar in Hamburg, supported by its landing gear, on Friday, Jan. 17, marking a historic moment for aviation enthusiasts.
Brief History of the Lockheed Super Star
The Lockheed L-1649A joined the Lufthansa fleet in 1957 and was the flagship of the Lufthansa fleet during the late 1950s, offering the Senator Class as the most exclusive mode of travel for the first time. The Senator Class featured deluxe reclining seats and first-class accommodations, four of which could be converted into sleeping berths. The L-1649A flights lasted 17 hours, operating non-stop from Hamburg, where its maintenance base was located, to New York. This made the aircraft capable of crossing the Atlantic non-stop, a technical triumph. With its four-piston engines, the L-1649A marked the end of the propeller-driven era on North Atlantic routes.
Restoration Journey: Bringing the Lockheed Super Star Back to Life
Some challenges faced by the Lufthansa Technik team involved the precise assembly of several large components. The fuselage, wings, and the characteristic triple tail unit, along with the 292 wooden crates with smaller parts, all arrived in Hamburg in October 2023.Â
The team recreated the cockpit to match the original design of the Lockheed L-1649A in the 1950s, containing functional controls and lighting. They installed cable pulls for the movement of the rudder and flaps. All of this restoration work highlights the team’s recognition of the engineering artistry of this era and their determination to preserve it. The partners of Lufthansa, Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin-Stiftung, fully support the restoration of this unique aircraft.Â
Main Feature
The cabin of the L-1649A features a vintage look based on the 1950s original, integrated with modern technology. It also features redesigned seats from an earlier Lufthansa A340, fitted in wine-red leather. The carpet and curtains of the L-1649A follow historical patterns.
The Journey to A New Home
Following its roll-out from Hamburg, the Super Star is to be dismantled into larger segments before being transported to Münster/Osnabrück Airport in July, where it will be repainted in the original Lufthansa design from the Parabola phase, before making its final journey to Frankfurt, where it will be displayed at Lufthansa Group’s new conference and visitor Centre, alongside the legendary Junkers Ju 52 D-AQUI. The centre is scheduled to open in spring 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of Lufthansa’s founding. The aircraft will be visible to all, as the exhibit features a glass facade. This will be a remarkable event for engineers and aviation enthusiasts, as it displays the ingenuity of the Lufthansa Technik group and their dedication to aviation craftmanship. More information about the Lockheed Super Star can be found at the official site of Lufthansa Group.
