Lufthansa prepares Lockheed Super Star exhibit for new Frankfurt visitor center

Transporting the wings presented logistical challenges due to their size and assembly status. Gruber Logistics managed the operation, moving the fully assembled wings—complete with ailerons, flaps, engine nacelles, landing gear, and nose boxes—resulting in a transport width of about 21 feet. Careful route planning was required for safe delivery.

Loading and unloading involved two 12-ton forklifts operating together to keep the components balanced. Lufthansa described this as a “masterstroke of precision,” stating that forklifts lifted the balanced wings one millimeter after another.

The fuselage’s paintwork was completed at Münster/Osnabrück Airport by Altitude Paint Services (APS), using around 132 gallons of special paint donated by Mankiewicz. Historical documents from Lufthansa’s archives guided the restoration of the classic 1950s livery. The Graphics Solutions team at Lufthansa Technik developed detailed plans for painting elements such as the parabolas—a key part of Lufthansa’s historic design.

According to Lufthansa: “The painting drew inspiration from historical documents from Lufthansa’s archives, and the detailed paint plan was developed by the Graphics Solutions team at Lufthansa Technik in Hamburg. When all components are finally assembled, the iconic long-range aircraft will regain its characteristic appearance at the CVC.”

The Lockheed L-1649A joined Lufthansa’s fleet in 1957 as its first aircraft featuring “Senator Class.” It operated nonstop transatlantic flights between Hamburg and New York lasting up to 17 hours. Today’s routes are served by modern jets like Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s.

Lufthansa stated: “The Super Star will go on display in the CVC in Spring 2026. The facility, which had been under construction since 2024, is located in the immediate vicinity of the Lufthansa Aviation Center (LAC) at Frankfurt Airport. It will be the place for new forms of collaboration for employees, customers, business partners, and aviation enthusiasts. The Lockheed Super Star and Junkers Ju52 will be on permanent display as the main attractions.”

Visitors to the CVC can view several exhibits highlighting airline history—some shown publicly for the first time—and enjoy amenities like a coffee lounge. The opening coincides with Lufthansa’s centennial anniversary.