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Revival of legends: Lockheed Super Star and JU 52 soon in Frankfurt!
On November 9th, 2025, the restoration of the Lockheed Super Star and Junkers JU 52 will be presented in Frankfurt, part of an important aviation project.
Revival of legends: Lockheed Super Star and JU 52 soon in Frankfurt!
The return of a legend
Aviation history is writing one of its most exciting chapters with the return of the legendary Lockheed Super Star, which was once the flagship of the Lufthansa fleet. Built in 1957 and long an icon of travel, this magnificent aircraft will now find its second home after extensive restoration in the new conference and visitor center at Frankfurt Airport. A new home for the Super Star and the well-known Junkers JU 52 will be ready by 2026, as the FAZ reported.
A lengthy project
The restoration and transport of the Lockheed Super Star was no small task. Originally launched in 2018, the project took over ten years and the costs skyrocketed to around 150 million euros. In 2019, the Super Star was brought to Germany in pieces, but in a condition that was not airworthy. The logistical challenge was enormous: The aircraft, 35.50 meters long and with a wingspan of 45.70 meters, was dismantled and transported through several interim storage facilities - from Bremen via Paderborn to Frankfurt. Dean Raineri from the German Lufthansa Berlin Foundation had the difficult task of accompanying the transport as co-pilot. The perpetrator was because the plane could only be moved around the city at night in order not to bring traffic to a standstill.
From Hamburg to Frankfurt
On January 17, 2023, the restored aircraft made its first major appearance when it rolled out of the hall on its own wheels in Hamburg. The tension was palpable, after all, Lufthansa Technik had worked for months to assemble the individual parts precisely. There was also a focus on a return to the original 1950s elegance, from the burgundy leather seats to carpets and curtains based on historical patterns. This means that the cabin is not only a visual experience, but also a homage to the pioneering days of air transport.
Fascination with historical aviation
The upcoming Super Star and JU 52 exhibition at the new center will not only celebrate aviation's glorious past, but also commemorate the technical developments and challenges that shaped aviation in the 20th century. In the German Museum During the “Historical Aviation” exhibition, exciting insights into the technology and history of flying are provided, including legendary machines such as the Junkers F13 and Messerschmitt Me 262.
A look into the future
The Super Star, which ended the chapter of classic propeller aircraft on North Atlantic routes, will then be prepared for a new phase of its life. The plan is to paint it in the original Lufthansa design from the Parabola phase before the aircraft arrives in Frankfurt, expected in October 2026. Together with the JU 52, this exhibition will be a highlight to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lufthansa's founding and will not only provide a glimpse into the past, but also bring the future of air transport to life in our mind's eye.
So if you want to experience a piece of history, you should mark this date in your calendar. The legend returns and is sure to make many hearts beat faster!