FRANKLIN

Franklin Institute to Remove, Restore Outdoor Aircraft

The Franklin Institute will be saying goodbye to the aircraft situated in front of the educational institute, at least temporarily.

The Franklin Institute on Wednesday morning will begin removing the Budd BB1 Pioneer aircraft for maintenance. The Pioneer has been a fixture at the institution since 1935.

Created by Edward G. Budd, the Pioneer — the first stainless steel airplane — will be removed and transported in preparation for its restoration. It will be the first time it's been refurbished since 1969 – the one and only time the plane underwent renovations.

The two-phase restoration process could take up to two years, and the takedown is expected to take up to three days. There is no specific timeline, but The Franklin said the plane is likely to return sometime in 2017.

A press conference in front of The Franklin is planned for Wednesday at 10 a.m. with remarks from Larry Dubinski, the institution's president and CEO, and Alfred Hagen, president and CEO of Hagen Construction Inc.

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