Comeback of another legend

[:FI:Airway]

Here's some update on the restauration of a Lockheed L1649A Lockheed Super Star to airworthy condition by Lufthansa Technik, appointed by Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin-Stiftung (DLBS).
In the future it is planned to operate her together with the Junkers Ju 52/3m in the DLBS.

December 2007, the Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin-Stiftung (DLBS) bought 3 Lockheed L1649A’s
out of whom they want to build one, that will be able to fly again when it's finished around 2010.

Thursday November 20, 2008 was a big day at the Auburn-Lewiston Airport where local officials and Lufthansa Technik Chairman of the Board August Henningsen cut a ceremonial ribbon and dedicated a new $3,000,000/50,000 square foot hangar. The hangar, built by the airport authority, will be used for the restoration of one of three L1649A Starliners purchased by Lufthansa a year ago. The hangar went from concept to completion in nine months and was completed none too soon as the outside temperature during the ceremony was 15 degrees Fahrenheit. The new hangar will allow restoration crews to work unimpeded by the famously cold Maine winter weather.

Now they've moved the airliner to be restored, into the hangar:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EU2VudWj6AI

Can't wait to see the plane back in the air.

Here's their website with more information:

https://www.dlbs.de/superstar/engl/start-e.htm

[:FI:Falcon]

My mom and I flew to London from New York back when I was three. They said that the Connie's ride was so smooth that you could balance a nickel on its side and it would stay. I remember trying it, but I don't know if it worked ...

... I think I swallowed it.


thx Marco


F

[:FI:WillieOFS]

Beautiful plane!

When I was in the Navy, there were 2 "connie's" stationed at my home base that were still being used as hurricane hunters in the early 70's.

It was always a thrill to watch those things start up. LOTS of smoke and noise and the glorious smell of partially burned avgas mixed with 70weight oil. I got caught behind one of them on start up one afternoon and the damn thing blew oil about 200 yds aft and all over me! Had black polka dotted dungarees after that.

[:FI:Airway]

I don't know why but I love those old piston engine planes, airliners and warbirds.

It's sad when they are falling apart.
I like them restored and up in the air again, or at least restored and displayed in a fine museum.

Would llike to help restoring on of those birds.

[:FI:Scott]

Such an elegant aircraft.

I watched a programme a while back about a group of Australians (?) I think that restored one and flew her back home.

Didnt these things have the same engines as a B29 ?

Good find Marco !

[:FI:Heloego]

Nice find, Marco!

Back in the day I had the opportunity to do a LOT of maintenance on one of the military versions while getting my license. What a beautiful bird!!!!!

[:FI:WillieOFS]

Such an elegant aircraft.

I watched a programme a while back about a group of Australians (?) I think that restored one and flew her back home.

Didnt these things have the same engines as a B29 ?

Good find Marco !

Wright R-3350 turbo-compound engine.

The Wright division of the Curtiss-Wright company (which was formed by the merger of companies founded by Glenn Curtiss and the Wright brothers) developed the TC-18 turbo-compound engine from the eighteen-cylinder R-3350 Cyclone in 1949. Wright's engine works were located in Woodridge, New Jersey. Wright turbo-compound engines powered the Douglas DC-7, Lockheed C-121 Constellation, Lockheed P-2 Neptune, Martin P5M Marlin, and Farchild C-119 Packet.

The turbo-compound engine incorporates a unique power recovery tubine system that recovers power from the engine exhaust and feeds it into the propeller crankshaft. Three turbines are mounted around the engine. Each turbine is fed the exhaust from six cylinders, extracting some of the energy of the hot, expanding gases and feeding it into a gearbox connected to the crankshaft.

The power recovery turbine system improves the fuel consumption of the R-3350 engine by about 20%. The improved fuel consumption made it possible for the Douglas DC-7 and Lockheed Constellation to cross the Atlantic Ocean non-stop, but the complexity of the engine lead to fairly frequent engine problems. It was not unusual for a trans-Atlantic airliner to reach its destination with an engine shut down and its propeller feathered.

More pics here of lots of "Connie's"
http://www.air-and-space.com/Lockheed%2 ... vivors.htm

AND AND AND!!
http://www.air-and-space.com/20080817%2 ... ge%202.htm