LEWISTON — Museum L-A is offering a second chance to see the Lockheed “Super Star” reconstruction project at the Auburn-Lewiston Airport with behind-the-scenes tours on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Participants will sign up for a tour that leaves the museum at 9:30 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Available spaces are limited due to a waiting list from the first tour that was sold out. The $15 fee includes the tour and a round-trip bus ticket. Preregistration is required.
“We are pleased that the community is so interested in this project and this new type of programming we are doing,” said Rachel Desgrosseilliers, Museum L-A’s executive director. “We will be announcing more ‘behind the scenes’ tours to showcase the traditions of innovation and skilled craftsmanship that are still happening,” she continued. “People are so amazed at what they are seeing.”
Reconstruction of the historic airplane has captured the imagination of the L-A communities and has attracted aviation enthusiasts from far and wide. Lufthansa’s nonprofit foundation purchased three rare Lockheed L-1649A Starliner aircraft in a private sale in Auburn and is overseeing the restoration of one of the aircraft.
The “Super Star” was the culmination of propeller-driven transport aircraft. Lufthansa Technik began the challenging work in 2008 to restore a historic Lufthansa aircraft to airworthy condition.
A Lockheed L1649A “Super Star,” which in 1958 became the first long-haul airliner operated by Lufthansa capable of crossing the Atlantic without refueling, will take to the air again when the reconstruction is finished.
Heading up the project is Lufthansa veteran Michael Austermeier. With the reconstruction nearing completion, the tour offers an opportunity to view the aircraft, learn about its aviation history and learn about the reconstruction process.
For more information or to make reservations, call 333-3881 or email info@museumla.org. Museum L-A is located at 35 Canal St., Bates Mill Complex.
Send questions/comments to the editors.