Lufthansa Technik unveiled a Lockheed L-1649A Super Star, assembled by the company at its Hamburg hangars. The aircraft was seen resting on its landing gear as it was moved to the outdoor platform.

An interdisciplinary team of 15 mechanics from various generations worked throughout 2024 to reassemble major components, including the fuselage, wings, and triple tail unit. These components arrived in Hamburg in October 2023, along with hundreds of smaller parts packed in wooden crates.

A notable feature of this non-flight reassembly is the cabin, restored as faithfully as possible to its original 1950s state. The lighting and controls are functional, and the rudders and flaps operate via cable, showcasing the engineering of its era.

In 1957, the Lockheed Super Star flew non-stop across the Atlantic to New York, marking a milestone in aviation history. With its four piston engines, it symbolized the end of the classic propeller-driven aircraft era on North Atlantic routes.

These flights, lasting up to 17 hours, departed from Hamburg, which also housed the maintenance base. The unveiling at this location underscores its significance to Lufthansa and Lufthansa Technik.

This aircraft, along with the Junkers Ju-52 registered as D-AQUI, will be part of a static display for the celebration of Lufthansa's 100th anniversary. Additionally, January 9 marked 82 years since the first flight of the Lockheed Constellation.

Super Star D-ALAN

The Lockheed L-1649A Super Star was delivered to Lufthansa in late 1957 as a passenger aircraft. In July 1960, it was converted into a freighter and christened "Neckar." According to Vintage Aviation News, the Super Star D-ALAN was leased to World Airways in 1962 after its conversion to cargo and returned to Lufthansa in 1964, remaining in service until its retirement in 1966.

The aircraft was later sold to Parker & Ransom Aircraft Sales and was preserved in aviation museums in the United States. In the early 1980s, Maurice Roundy, a pilot and Lockheed Super Star enthusiast, acquired the L-1649A and dedicated his time and resources to its preservation. Eventually, the D-ALAN was stored at an airport in Florida.

In 2007, independent aviation journalist Wolfgang Borgmann and former Lufthansa Super Star pilot Didi Krauss learned that the D-ALAN was set to be auctioned. They contacted Lufthansa Technik’s director, August Wilhelm Henningsen, and initiated plans to return the aircraft to Germany, which was completed in December 2007.

The following photograph, taken by R. A. Sholefield, shows the aircraft taking off from Runway 35 at Ringway, serving the regular cargo route between Frankfurt (FRA), Manchester (MAN), and New York Idlewild (now JFK).