The old air traffic control tower at the Helena Regional Airport joined the list of big, awkward things needing to be moved Thursday morning in Helena.

While crews with Hurni's Excavation were able to hoist the tower from its lofty perch in less than three hours -- compared to the Craig Bridge, which took three days to move -- the task still proved monumental at times with plenty of wind, rain and frustration to pass around.

"It's going to be a challenge getting that off there without breaking the glass," said Don Hulett, the tower's new owner. He and his wife, Barb, plan to haul the structure to their home overlooking Devil's Elbow. "The last three or four days, there's been a lot of chatter over what we'll do with it. We'll have to wait and see."

The tower, considered historic by some, was erected around 1960, though the building it sat upon was completed in 1938. Back then, according to Harold Williams, superintendent of airport operations, the main runway ended at "taxiway echo," about 7,000 feet to the east.

When the runway was extended another 2,000 feet, the tower no longer offered the best vantage of the field. A newer, more modern tower was erected.

"I'll miss the old building," said Williams, watching crews work. "But look at it -- it's all torn open. It was just held together with bubble gum."

With four nylon straps anchored to each corner, the 75-ton crane owned by Northside Welding began to lift. Black smoke washed from the exhaust stack. The cables drew tight and yet the module went nowhere.

"Hold on," shouted Don Hurni, the man charged with removing the tower. "It's stuck."

The walkie talkies crackled as the men climbed like ants upon the partially demolished terminal, trying to figure out why the tower wasn't moving.

"We had the crane up to 33,000 pounds," said Hurni. "There could be some hidden bolts still in the tower. We've got a little wind problem building here too."

Air traffic controllers reported wind speeds at 23 mph. A line of storm clouds had already crested the Continental Divide.

Sensing urgency, workers broke out their power tools. An hour passed as they cut through the stucco, creating a perforated line around the tower's base. The rain began to fall.

The crane increased its tension and, at 11:37 a.m., the crack of wood, cement and plaster rang out. One worker nearly jumped out of his boots it startled him so. Insulation wafted on the air.

The crane eased the module through the air. The structure resembled a UFO hovering high above the taxiway, twisting in the wind with 20-foot antennae rising from its roof.

Without incident, the structure was eased upon the back of Mr. Hulett's waiting trailer, drawn by his 1946 Kenworth tractor. The paint job on the side of his pristine rig read, "When I grow up, I want to be a VIT."

"That's a very important trucker," said a relieved Mr. Hulett. "Setting this thing back up is going to be a rascal."

Why would anyone want a 50-year-old glass shell? Mrs. Hulett explained: She envisions a sunroom with a hot tub, or just a nice airy sitting-room full of natural light. After all, the structure is mostly glass -- big sheets of it.

"Hopefully we'll have a friendly banker," Mrs. Hulett joked. "It would make a nice sunroom."

"It's going to be a conversation piece, that's for sure," said Mr. Hulett.

Reporter Martin Kidston can be reached at 447-4086, or at mkidston@helenair.com.