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Lufthansa Restores Its Historic Gem: Lockheed Super Star Shines Again in Its Original Design

Dergam Mousa

The former flagship of Lufthansa, the Lockheed L-1649A Super Star, once again boasts the splendor that made it a symbol of aviation in the 1950s. After a meticulous aesthetic restoration process, the aircraft regained its classic appearance at Münster/Osnabrück Airport, where it underwent a complete repainting by Altitude Paint Services (APS).

For this task, Hamburg-based company Mankiewicz donated approximately 500 liters of special paint, a gesture that allowed the precise restoration of the color palette and details that defined an era.

Challenge of the Legendary Parabolas

One of the most complex tasks was recreating the historic parabolas that were an essential part of Lufthansa’s original design. The team relied on company archives and the detailed paint plan developed by the Graphics Solutions department of Lufthansa Technik, also based in Hamburg.

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On the Way to Its New Home

Next week, the Super Star will be transported on a heavy-capacity vehicle to Frankfurt, where it will take center stage in Lufthansa Group’s new conference and visitor center. Its exhibition will open in spring 2026, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the original Lufthansa. There, it will share the spotlight with another legend of German aviation: the Junkers Ju 52 D-AQUI.

The History of the Super Star

Added to the fleet in 1957, the Lockheed Super Star was the first aircraft in the company to offer the exclusive “Senator Class,” designed for luxury service on long-haul routes. Its most notable route was the non-stop transatlantic flight to New York, which could take up to 17 hours.

Powered by four piston engines, this model marked the end of the era of large propeller-driven aircraft. It operated from Hamburg, the city that housed its maintenance base. Its dimensions remain impressive even today: 35.42 meters in length, 45.18 meters in wingspan, and 7.12 meters in height.

For many enthusiasts, seeing the restored Super Star is a tribute to mid-20th-century aeronautical engineering and a visual journey back to the golden age of commercial aviation.

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