Take a look at the first US Air Force One that flew President Eisenhower in the 50s

Ever wondered what taking a flight as the President of the United States was like? Well, let’s take a look at the first-ever presidential aircraft to bear the iconic Air Force One title, shall we?

This remarkable aircraft plane carried President Dwight Eisenhower around in the 1950s.

Half a century later, the plane is still around.

It’s quite a machine, you’d have to admit.

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The plane is located in Virginia.

Named Columbine II, the plane ‘was the first aircraft to bear the call sign Air Force One’ – according to the U.S Department of Defense.

Big, mighty and silver – the first Air Force One

@nbaatiktok

Did you know the story of the first Air Force One? 🛩️ Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation VC-121-A, was the very first aircraft to carry the now-iconic Presidential call-sign. In 1953, Dwight Eisenhower made history as the first Commander in Chief to fly on it. A mix-up in Virginia’s skies led to a groundbreaking solution: a unique call sign for Presidential flights, always including the number one. 🇺🇸Discover the incredible history behind America’s first business aircraft. #happypresidentsday #presidentsday #aviationhistory #aviationhistoryfacts #presidentalfacts #aviation #bizav #corporateaviation #businessaviation #aircraft

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Of course, as you’d expect, the plane is big and mighty.

But it is also a bright silver color – and was used to fly US President Eisenhower.

Eisenhower had three planes, named Columbine in honor of Mamie Eisenhower – the First Lady.

You see, Mamie was from Colorado, and the Columbine is the state flower of Colorado.

The yellow flower can be seen on the aircraft, highlighted against the silver chrome outside.

The plane was a 1948 Lockheed Constellation VC-121A.

It was the first ever designated Air Force One – and since then the aircraft has been updated, but the name has remained untouched.

It flew President Eisenhower, his family, and – of course – his staff – when presidential duties were scheduled.

It’s clear to see that the President really was flying in style and immense comfort.

What was the President’s first mission onboard?

The aircraft first carried the President even before he even started in the job.

The very first flight he undertook was to visit soldiers from the states in Korea.

He then met then-UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill another twelve months later at the Bermuda Conference.

Back then, flight times were much longer than they are nowadays.

In the 50s, it took almost 17 hours for an aircraft to reach London from LA.

But today’s Air Force One can reach the destination in a mere 10 hours – proving the stark difference in technology and engineering in just a few decades.