How?

In this project the former SAS Caravelle SE-DAF, acquired into the possession of Aviation Museum Society Finland, was transported from Arlanda airport by land and sea to Finland. Then it was restored into the colours of Finnair OH-LEA “Bluebird” and placed on display at Turku airport, close to the passenger terminal. It is open to the public as a memorial for jet age passenger travel.

In summer 2022, in the first phase of the project, the airliner was disassembled in Arlanda for transport. Wings, stabilizers, rudder, and the engine nacelles were detached from the fuselage and the wing halves separated from each other. The parts were loaded on four special trailers to be transported to Finland. Furthermore, Caravelle spare parts, tools and accessories obtained from Arlanda were brought to Finland in a sea container and by truck. The Caravelle arrived in Naantali harbour on August 19th, 2022.

The aircraft was brought into a former shipyard workshop hall in Pansio harbour for the winter 2022-23. There the old paint was sanded off and the traces of decades under the open sky were removed. The second phase of the project was completed when in spring 2023 the Caravelle was painted and polished into the appearance of Finnair’s OH-LEA “Bluebird”. The aircraft has the paint scheme of 1963 when Finnair celebrated its 40th anniversary. The aircraft is not airworthy.

In summer 2023, in the third phase of the project, the Caravelle was reassembled at Turku airport. During the final assembly the parts removed for transport and restoration were installed back into place and the painting and polishing work was completed.

During 2024 and 2025 the refurbishment of the cabin interior has progressed. The passenger door was repaired, the electrical installation for cabin lighting and power outlets has been completed. Four rows of restored passenger seats with new padding and mended covers were assembled in the cabin. On the flight deck the pilots’ seats have been restored and more instruments have been installed in the instrument panel. We were donated an office container which has been used as visitor centre and volunteers’ workspace. The area around the aircraft has also been improved, including accessibility and security issues.

The Caravelle has been open to the public since June 2023. In 2023 (including the Turku Airshow weekend) about 2500 people visited the aircraft. In the summer period of 2024 there were over 900 visitors and in 2025 about 900. Several different kinds of club gatherings and events were arranged around the Caravelle. It seems that it has become a tourist attraction presenting Finnish passenger jet travel history and a location for arranging different events.