Currently Lokki rests on the yard of the Aviation Museum. It has lost its shine and its broken wings are covered with tarpaulins. The exterior paint of the aircraft has already been restored to its 1950s style, but there is still a lot to do. To begin with, there is up to 250 m2 of aluminium surface to polish.
The last time the aircraft moved, it taxied on the ground backwards when it was transported from the airport to the museum for restoration. It is not easy to move an aircraft that weights 6,000 kg.
“Transporting the aircraft with a truck was particularly challenging. We also got stuck at a roundabout, where we had to move the kerb with the shears of a tractor," says Markku Kyyrönen, director of the Finnish Aviation Museum.
DC-3 is the most popular and the most well-known passenger and cargo aircraft. They are still used as cargo aircrafts in various locations around the world. Lokki managed to log 39,542 flight hours in various duties.
“It will be never fly again on its own. The ideal situation would be that we could keep it indoors or in casing in the Aviapolis area.
At the housing fair Lokki represents the significance of the huge development of air traffic to the city of Vantaa.” The details of transporting the aircraft from the museum to the fair site are being planned.
“We will move the aircraft at night around Midsummer. The plan is to move on its own wheels if it is strong enough,” Kyyrönen explains.
On the opening day of the fair, another DC-3 will fly over the fair site.
“That will certainly turn even the heads of those who do not share our love for aviation or know the DC-3,” Henri Äijälä, marketing manager of the Finnish Aviation Museum assures.
“For me the best thing is the sound of DC-3's radial engine starting. It sends shivers down my spine,” director Markku Kyyrönen explains enthusiastically.
They both have sparkle in their eyes.
Lokki
- Manufactured in California in 1943 (Douglas aircraft company)
- Aero Oy bought it from the United States military surplus stock in 1946
- Named with a naming contest
- Served as a military transport, passenger and cargo aircraft as well as in land survey missions and as a training aircraft for paratroopers
- The second aircraft ever to land on the new Seutula airport in 1952
- Currently owned by Airveteran Oy
- Read more about Lokki's history: ilmailumuseo.fi
- The Lokki project is looking for volunteers for restoration, transportation, assembly and disassembly of the aircraft: lokkiprojekti.fi
Photos: Erkki Kivikero, Pinja Rosenberg
