LOCKHEED VC-121A (749) CONSTELLATION “COLUMBINE II”

LOCKHEED VC-121A (749) CONSTELLATION “COLUMBINE II”

The Constellation was President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s choice for his presidential aircraft. On a Presidential trip from Washington D.C. to Florida, Columbine II, which was known to air traffic control as Air Force 610, or just 610, came into an area which had an Eastern flight 610, or just 610 also entering it. For a few minutes, confusion reigned with air traffic control as to which 610 was which and where they where in relation to each other. Later that day, it was decided by the USAF and the FAA that whenever the President was aboard an aircraft, it would be called “Air Force One”. At the end of “Columbine II’s” life in the USAF, they had forgotten about its history as a Presidential aircraft and sold it to a private individual who didn’t know its history either. That was until the Smithsonian called to tell him what he had. He restored it to flying condition. After a few airshow appearances, it was parked in Arizona until 2016 when it was purchased and moved to Virginia where it is again being restored. This was the first of the true “Air Force Ones”.