Original Air Force One used by President Eisenhower was nearly abandoned, but this is what happened to it
- The first Air Force One, Columbine II, is being restored to flight
- It’s a military version of the Lockheed Constellation airliner
- The aircraft was nearly scrapped in the Arizona desert
Published on May 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on May 22, 2025 at 4:23 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
The history of Air Force One is fascinating, and one of the original aircraft, a Lockheed Constellation called Columbine II and used to transport President Eisenhower, was nearly abandoned.
The aircraft in question is the Lockheed Constellation used by the US President during the late 1940s and early 1950s.
But despite nearly meeting the scrap man, the aircraft is still with us today, and has been undergoing a painstaking restoration to bring it back to its former glory.
This would ensure that a very important piece of American culture and history is preserved for generations to come.
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The aircraft in question is a Lockheed Constellation VC-121A, given the name Columbine II by FLOTUS Mamie Eisenhower.
The original Columbine had been used by Eisenhower when he was a General before he became President.
As a result, Columbine II became the first official Air Force One.
And it did so after a near miss in the air due to confusion with callsigns.
Eastern Air Lines flight 8610 nearly collided with Columbine II, which was using the callsign Air Force 8610. And it’s why the craft now has the callsign Air Force One.
The Constellation was built in 1948 and entered service in 1952, becoming the Presidential aircraft in 1954.
It served in this role until 1959, and was supplemented during that time by another Constellation, Columbine III.
Columbine II continued to fly in US Air Force service until the 1960s.
The aircraft was briefly restored to flying again in 1989.
It then made several public appearances before making what seemed like its last flight to Marana Airport in 2003.
After which, the aircraft sat for some time abandoned in the Arizona desert and was under threat of being scrapped.
That was until Dynamic Aviation saved it in 2016.
Amazingly, the aircraft flew once more, from Marana to Bridgewater, Virginia, for its restoration to take place.
Not only will it be restored for static display, but the team behind its restoration hopes to get it flying once more.
That team is the First Air Force One group, and since 2016, they’ve been working hard to get the aircraft back in action again.
CEO of the project, Karl Stoltzfus, sadly passed away in 2020.
However, his son, Michael, took over and vowed to complete the restoration.
Work is very much still taking place, and there is hope that one day, Columbine II will be flying at airshows and on display at its Bridgewater home.
Seeing the very first Air Force One back in the air again would be a spectacular sight.
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Henry is a content writer with nearly ten years experience, having written for various publications since 2017. Qualifying with a Sports Journalism degree from Staffordshire University, Henry loves all things automotive but has a particular soft spot for classic Japanese cars and anything Lancia. He also has a curious passion for steam locomotives.
