Aircraft
Classic Lear Jet Moving into Bombardier Hangar
After sitting on a ramp in Florida for 27 years, Lear Jet 23-003, the first one delivered to a customer, is ready for restoration to begin.
Lear Jet 23-003
Plans call for Lear Jet 23-003 to be fully restored to flying condition. (Photo: Matt Thurber/AIN)

Bombardier is donating space to store a historic Learjet 23 being restored by the Classic Lear Jet Foundation. The third-built and the first production model delivered to a customer, S/N 23-003 was deteriorating on a ramp for 27 years at Bartow Executive Airport in Florida. The Foundation arranged for its disassembly relocation to Wichita, where it was stored temporarily at a Lee Aerospace facility.

The jet’s fuselage was moved to Bombardier’s former Learjet delivery center at Wichita Eisenhower National Airport on May 25 and the wings will be moved there shortly, according to the Foundation. “Using this facility will make it possible to show the aircraft on a limited basis to VIPs and potential donors,” the Foundation said. “Bombardier is providing the space as an in-kind donation.”

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