Lufthansa L-1649A Starliner Restoration Project

[robkamm]

looking good. hope they post a video of the start up.

[M.P.]

A nice TV Report was published today in German TV. This is now online available (only German language) via the following link and includes the startup of one of these engines:
http://www.3sat.de/mediathek/?display=1 ... &obj=32329

[The Inspector]

A nice TV Report was published today in German TV. This is now online available (only German language) via the following link and includes the startup of one of these engines:
http://www.3sat.de/mediathek/?display=1 ... &obj=32329

M.P. not to hijack, but what were your impressions of SEAFAIR in Seattle?

[M.P.]

M.P. not to hijack, but what were your impressions of SEAFAIR in Seattle?

I was at Boeing Field on Friday and Sunday to see the operation there and planes taking off and on Saturday at the lake to see the show. In general the airshow at this event is more for family entertainment without something special to the airplane freak who knows already everything about aviation.

Mock-ups of the planned restored rear cabin of the Starliner have been constructed in Germany.

http://www.lufthansa-technik.com/super- ... -relations

This is going to be an amazing restoration when finished. It will be the closest thing to a newly built vintage propliner we have ever seen.

[Brenden S]

Great restoration. It would be good to get all the "airworthy" connies together.

[Mike]

Great restoration. It would be good to get all the "airworthy" connies together.

That would be difficult. One in Australia, one in Switzerland at the moment, plus the Lufthansa example at some point. I'd like to see see the St Louis group get theirs back in the air, but it has been "next year" for the least 5 or 6 years now.

[Brenden S]

I know it is near impossible, but would be a great sight to see.

[Tiger moth]

Any updates? I realize replacing all the lower bulkheads is a huge undertaking and probably affected their timeline.I would love to see pictures of the QEC buildup and engine instalation.
Let's hope we see something soon.
TigerMoth

More amazing work continues on this unprecedented restoration project:

http://www.lufthansa-technik.com/super- ... -relations

Still a ways from flying it would seem, but a few steps closer.

Updated information on the progress with the Wright engines for the Starliner.

http://www.lufthansa-technik.com/super- ... -relations

[DH82EH]

Wow!
I really have to tip my hat to Lufthansa for preserving this part of their history in this day and age of the bottom line.
Planning for six engines as well as cores for up to ten more! This is a truly long term investment that will be flying for decades!
Cool!!!

Andy Scott

Now here is an incredible story on the Starliner restoration, a 96 year old gentlemen who worked for Hamilton Standard and who is an expert on these propellers is overseeing the overhaul of six propellers for the airplane. Apparently these propellers had the longest blades ever flown on a civilian aircraft.

http://www.lufthansa-technik.com/super- ... r-overhaul

Still no date for first flight, but the latest news underscores again how intense and professional this restoration project is. Looks like some very high level training is taking place to insure everything goes well once the flying starts.

http://www.lufthansa-technik.com/super- ... -relations

Ralph Pettersen recently visited the restoration site in Maine and has posted a great update on his "Connie Survivors" web site:

http://www.conniesurvivors.com/1-connie_news.htm#OCT27

Thank you Ralph for the great photos and information. Based on the information here, it is still difficult to project when the first flight will happen, but it would seem that it may be the latter part of 2014 or perhaps the first part of 2015.

Look forward to future updates as this terrific project continues.