Preserving the first Air Force One

[Jilly_in_VA]

Almost 80 years ago, a plane took flight for the first time with an important passenger; the President.

After many years and many flights, the plane was left in the desert to fade away and become lost to history.

That is, until it was taken in by Dynamic Aviation for preservation and restoration to its former glory.

Everyone knows Air Force One is the callsign for the President’s plane, but most people don’t know the story of the very first plane to bear that designation, and the people who sat in its seats.

From Dwight D. Eisenhower to Queen Elizabeth II, many well-known people hopped on board the Columbine and left their mark on its history.

https://www.whsv.com/2022/11/04/preserving-first-air-force-one/

One of my artist friends from the gallery where I sell my jewelry is actually working on this!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I wonder why the Smithsonian didn't take it a long time ago.

[Jilly_in_VA]

5. I'd rather have it

at the Air and Space Museum at Dulles. I love that place.

[Historic NY]

7. Who knows Ike had 3 versions

it was a plane assigned for air transport. I have photos of them when Truman came to Stewart and Ike came in both variants, mostly Columbine III the Super Connie.

Kennedy used a nondescript MAS plane until the new 707 was completed its maiden flight was to Stewart AFB Newburgh, on board were Truman & Eisenhower they went to Eleanor Roosevelts funeral at Hyde Park on Nov 10 1962

The National Museum of the USAF in Ohio has Sacred Cow the was used by FDR & Truman.
Truman got a new plane in 1953 the Independence.

[EX500rider]

2. They don't really say what type of aircraft it was/is

It was a Connie, a Lockheed C-121 Constellation.



Here she is undergoing restoration:

[ProudMNDemocrat]

3. Is that the display at the Parade Grounds at Lackland AFB?

I swear I have a photo of that same airplane when I was there in early 2018.

Just curious.

[ForgedCrank]

4. They've been

at this one for quite a while now.
And I share the consensus among many, the Constellation was one of the most beautiful aircraft ever produced.

[Trailrider1951]

6. I toured that plane, when it was parked at the Boeing Flight Museum near Seattle

Very interesting indeed to see all the old technology. You can see it parked here near the northwest side of the parking lot:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Museum+of+Flight/@47.5185934,-122.2959464,189m/data=!3m2!1e3!5s0x549042393d6efdfb:0x321bd0c831f0e108!4m5!3m4!1s0x5490423922701547:0x1a492897619baaa!8m2!3d47.5185379!4d-122.2968545?hl=en

Of course, I am old enough to remember seeing Constellations regularly flying over my house when I lived near the airport in Columbus, Ohio when I was a child. It was one of the few planes I could recognize, with the distinctive 3 vertical stabilizers.

[Stuart G]

8. NO pictures of the original "Air Force One" in the original story. Thanks for the pictures.

Thank You for posting the pictures of the 1st Air Force 1.