The First Air Force One Flies Again
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- Опубликовано: 22 май 2018
- Video sponsored by Air Models
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Dynamic Aviation restored the original "Air Force One" "Columbine II" and flew it from Marana Arizona to Mt. Pleasant Texas then to Bridgewater Virginia. We were there to document this historic return to flight that the restoration team at Dynamic Aviation accomplished.
This is the most beautiful airliner of all time. I had the privilege of being a passenger in the late 50s between Brazil and the US. Unforgettable.
Used to stop North Vietnamese troop supply 1967 to 1972. I was on 90+ missions.
I'm glad that's it's being saved and restored to flying condition. Seeing a plane displayed as a static exibit is ok but seeing the effort of a historical aircraft kept flying is something that's hard to put into words. Thanks to the whole team!
flew in these out of pt mugu 3years
The Constellation (Connie) was the most beautiful aircraft ever designed, a brilliant Documentary and the devotion from the people involved in it's restoration should be honoured.
My Dad flew these throughout his career in the U.S. Navy retiring in 1971, died in 1999. He would have loved to have seen this. Gives me goose bumps
Had over 3000 hours in them, flew out of Midway Island for Airborne Early Warning from 1961 to 1965. They were wonderful, safe Aircraft until they became low priority in 1964, then it was not uncommon to lose an engine on our 14 hour, 2800 mile flight. I flew the Barrier for over three years and kept the Russians from attacking. We would fly out of Midway( lots of Gooney Birds) for thirty days and then return to Oahu for thirty days.
Thank you for your service too our country.
Thanks Edwin (from your allies in the UK). Great story - Would like to hear a lot more... I love the Connie too.
Late '60s the mission was off the West coast, and off Cuba. Had one Sq at Homestead. Had to support one in Vietnam too, called College Eye. Planes were getting old, and after a tour in SEA, they had corrosion issues. They flew so low over the Gulf, they kicked up a lot of salt water. The closer they got to the water, the further the acquisition radar would reach. 552d was, and still is, a great organization.
Martin D
Edwin phillips: I grew up practically next door to McClellan Field near Sacramento. My step-dad was crew chief on C-119's, the old Flying Boxcar, and flew training missions to Wake, Midway, and Guam several times. We'd ride our bikes to the end of I Street in Rio Linda & watch aircraft take off & land all day long. Air Force flew Connies a great deal out of McClellan in those days { 50's & 60's}. I've always considered the Constellation {even with RADAR dome} the most beautiful aircraft ever. I enlisted in the USAF ... 1971-1975. After discharge became an ex-pat for a number of years. In 1990 hooked a 2 year contract {stayed 5} at the Ballistic Missile Defense Test Range on Kwajalein, Marshall Island... only 700 miles from Midway.
Here in Australia we have a restored Super Constellation named CONNIE. It flies at a our shows and I have seen it fly twice. It put tears in my eyes, One of my Favourite planes alongside B17, 707, P51, I love them all and many more. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
1957, Philadelphia to St. Louis, my first flight ever at 5 yr old, aboard a Constellation. It is, was, and remains the most beautiful and graceful plane of all times. To all involved in the restoration and preservation please accept my heartfelt thank you.
Connie’s are with out a doubt the most beautiful,graceful airliners ever designed! ❤️❤️❤️
Agrred; with her in it, every airspace turns into a catwalk !
Her pilots call her the greatest three engine airplane ever built! I guess her engines were not the most reliable.
Designed by Howard Hughes.....
@Elaine Ricketts um no. Lockheed. Kelly Johnson. Hughes just defined the design specification i.e. payload, range, speed. Kelly Johnson was the chief designer. They let Hughes fly an early test airplane and he almost killed them all. It’s in Kelly’s biography.
fw1421 the Dehavilland dh91 Albatross is as beautiful and graceful. In fact it looks similar, but predates the Connie by 20 yrs. But it is all a matter of taste.
My dad used to fly TWA Connies out of the Dayton, OH airport in the late 50's and early 60's. I have great memories of being right out on the concrete with my mom an siblings as dad walked up the stairway and into the plane. What a beautiful aircraft! Edit: As I watched the rest of this video, I can't help but add that this is a really unique and fantastic project. My salute to everyone involved. Great video, great plane, great people!
When I was a young boy living near the airport in Orlando, Florida in the 50s I loved to watch the airplanes coming and going. When I would hear multi engine radial engines I would look to the sky. I would be disappointed when the aircraft was a DC-6 or DC-7, because nothing thrilled me like seeing a big Connie flying over at low altitude. The lines on the Constellation were and continue to be the most beautiful ever made.
i missed the time of big powerful prop engines and the sound filling the sky but i was born and still live in stoke on Trent UK and a very tiny part of it called butt lane its only a tiny village but the great Reginald Joseph Mitchell was born 3 houses down from where my nan lives and every year on his birthday they did a spitfire fly over very low and that sound will never leave me . My other nan lived in London in the blitz and she still had nightmares and in her old age with dementia, she wakes up screaming about the V1 . many nights iv woken up to her shouting about the engine has gone quiet its going to hit . or i find her outside trying to get in an Anderson shelter that doesn't exist. i also forgot to add my grandad was a mechanic in ww2 for the RAF and he was stationed in Scotland and he would work on the anti-submarine sea plans i have a picture of him elbow-deep in a Supermarine Stranraer
My folks had a ranch in Blythe, CA. I remember stand out in the field when B-36s would fly over at around 20,000 feet. I could feel the vibration from the 6-turnin’ and 4-burnin. :-)
It took a lot of people, a lot of money and a lot of dedication to get this gorgeous bird flying. And the man hours is astronomical, it’s hard to believe they flew them as long as they did. The maintenance costs on the engines alone is mind boggling. Good job to all those involved
The most elegant plane ever designed, bar none. A GREAT save for American aviation!!
The C-121 Connie and the C-47 Goonie Bird are the two most beautiful birds ever. I can’t imagine what a daunting task to get this iconic aircraft flying again must have been. These gentlemen deserve all the praise given.
My utmost respect sirs.
The Connie is the prettiest airplane ever built, and the photos starting at about 19 minutes into this video really do it justice. Thank you!
As a 6 year old kid it was my extreme pleasure to fly from Rio de Janeiro to Bogota Colombia in a Pan Air do Brasil Connie on our way to Dallas Texas. The way the Brasilians configured their Connies, the first class lounge was in the back of the cabin, not the front like all airlines do today. It was a night flight and I was amazed at the size of the flames coming out of the exhaust nozzles. The flight attendants handed out Chiclets chewing gum to combat the air pressure change on my young ears. I flew in a lot of different piston engine airliners in my youth, the Douglas DC-3, DC-4, DC-6 and DC-7 Seas, Lockheed Electra Model 10 and of course the aforementioned Connie. The Connie was by far my favorite. It was touching the way the narrator started choking up when talking about flying in the Connie I get that way every time I hear Anchor Aweigh and I was Coast Guard, not Navy.
The Connie and Super Connie are the sexiest planes ever made.
we have one in Albion Park NSW Australia its the pride of the fleet at all airshow here ,,, Man it takes so long to clean her
Meh the b29 is may fave
F111
@@trythinking6676 The Aardvark? Utilitarian yes, but sexy NO.
Agreed. One of the nicest looking planes ever made IMO.
Super Constellation G model... emmigrated from Prestwick Scotland in 1957 to Canada. Trip took 14 hours with a stop in Gander for fuel. I was 9 years old with a window seat and totally mesmerized by those massive compound radials throbbing away all night over the Atlantic. The stove- pipe sized exhausts glowing in the frozen darkness. I was sold. Got my pilots license years later. Still love that magnificent form in flight, so graceful. Well done team, God Bless and keep her flying. B. Mellis / Canada.
As a mechanic that has been in plenty of fuel tanks I am blown away that the tanks didn’t leak after being dry for so long. I’ve seen aircraft sit for a few months without fuel on them develop leaks from the sealant drying out. Nothing is more frustrating than thinking you’ve sealed the leak to put fuel on the aircraft to find that it is still leaking. 😂 This is an absolutely amazing process that you guys went through. As an aviation enthusiast thank you all for rescuing this amazing aircraft. I don’t care if it was Columbine II or not, there are not enough Connies left in this world. A truly amazing aircraft. THANK YOU!!
Thank you guys for a great effort in preserving a piece of our history....I flew the Connie in the early 50's with my Mom....Great Lady In All Respects.....There will never be another like her...
Lockheed didnt make too many civilian aircraft, but when they did *Damn* did they get it right! The Connie and the L-1011 are both flying works of art.
Thank you for putting the effort in to resurrect the first Air Force One. Those shots of it flying with the B-25 Mitchell are the most American thing I've seen in some time
The Electra was perfection too.
Yes. The Tri Star was way ahead in looks and technical ability like the Connie was.
What a beautiful aircraft, and a true icon of aviation history. In 1970, my first duty assignment after USAF aircraft maintenance tech school was to the 552 OMS at McClellan AFB in Sacramento CA where I had the privilege of working on the military version of this airframe, the EC-121D. Years later, I was very pleased to discover one of the planes I actually worked on, tail number 555 which we called triple nickle at the Air Force Museum in Dayton Ohio. One of the highlights of that time was when I got to sit left seat and be the brake rider during a 4 engine run up. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the "Connie".
Nice to see your comment. I was assigned to the 552nd as an Avionics Tech from 1971 to 1973, and also worked on TN-555. Our paths must have past on many occasions during maintenance activities. I spent three temporary 90 day deployments to Korat RTAFB in support of the College Eye mission, and was fortunate to fly aboard the EC-121.
I was at McClellan in 1971 when 555 was being flown to Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio to be donated to the Air Force museum. If I remember correctly an engine failed enroute causing the plane to land at Stead AFB near Reno Nevada where they swapped out the engine.. Interestingly the plane had been christened " Spirit of Sacramento" and the mayor of Sacramento was on the plane for the donation flight. The is a C121 at the McClellan Air Museum today. The tail number is 555 but it is in fact a former US Navy C121.
@@jerzycal I did not know she was a Navy handoff, but that's not surprising as the Navy were the recovery gurus for the returning Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft and the 121's were used for tracking the capsules, among other duties.
When I was a kid back in the 50s and 60s TWA CONNIES would fly over our neighborhood on their southbound approach to Philadelphia International Airport. I would always look up.
As a private pilot today I wish I could have flown a Connie or at least rode in one.
The Connies and Super Connies are my favorite pre-jet airliners by far. Thank you for restoring such a historic and beautiful aircraft!
I saw the Red Bull DC 6 last week at Duxford these massive piston giants are just awesome and very complex . For you guys to have the money and skills to have something like this fly again is a serious achievement of monumental scale .
The most beautiful, majestic transport aircraft ever built. I only wish I could have ridden in one. Thank you for the video and a glimpse into a piece of American history. Truly a national treasure.
A Connie is a breathtakingly beautiful airplane, I think possibly the most aesthetically beautiful machine that mankind has ever put in the air.
Thank you to everyone who got her running again, and thank you to everyone who filmed this. She's not just special because she was the first Air Force One, she's also a Connie.
My brother and I stood on the runway of Plant A1 in July 1944 to see the first Connie take off, then the next week to see the F80 Shooting Star take off we were helping build the P38's at that time. I'm now 92. In 1951 I was offered the job of Co Pilot to fly Connies to Brazil, but got Drafted instead. Memories
Don cordell Perchance did you know Richard ‘Dick’ Baldwin at Lockheed on the P-38 line?
This plane has tremendous historical meaning, also for many other nations.
What a labour of love. These men, who together combined extraordinary skills, commitment and enthusiasm, not only brought a singular work of art to life, but also made and discovered themselves as dedicated alchemists of 'sad metal' into the 'silver spirit' of the past. Well done!
Shudder to think of what all those overhauls cost plus all the guys redoing the lines etc. A lot of highly skilled labour...$$$. I'm glad there are rich dudes that love airplanes.
Rv4 Guy j
It takes a lot of poor volunteers too ;-)
And that is just a warm up for the formal restoration. Hope it will live in a hanger from now on.
Often times there's a lot of Skilled Volunteers, like the B-29 Doc
@@southjerseysound7340 - Poor ? . They are fortunate enough to live close enough to join them.
When I was a little kid, my dad returned from a business trip aboard a TWA Constellation. The experience of standing behind the fence as the mammoth aircraft taxied up to Sky Harbor's terminal was of an excitement that has never been surpassed (and I've had a LOT of exciting experiences). The sound of four giant redials and spinning propellers set on such a magnificent airplane is a true classic; would be thrilling in any era in the future. Back in 1956, when Pres. Eisenhower showed up at the Republican National Convention; everything was broadcast on live TV. As Eisenhower's airplane taxied in, the TV commentator noted its extra-long nose (for accomodation of radar).
To my eyes, the Constellation looks sleek and FAST even when it's sitting still ... one of its animal opposite is, of course, the cheetah (in addition to sharks and eagles).
In 1963 I was favored to be a passenger on a TWA night flight from Salt Lake City to Chicago ... and got a bonus. Seated by a window close to the right-side engines, I was amazed at the blowtorch flash of fire that shot out of the stacks. One thing I had NOT expected was all the inside-cabin noise and vibrations caused by the engines ... the Connie LOOKED sleek and smooth ... riding inside; not so. A stewardess chatted with another of the passengers; saying that TWA was currently replacing their Connies with 707s. I was on one of the last, if not THE last of the TWA Constellations.
THANK YOU MEN, FOR RESCUING AND RESTORING THIS BEAUTIFUL AIRCRAFT.
yes, prop planes don't allow too much in the way of casual conversations.
Thank you, Sir, for the opinion. Such a wonderful memory...
My dad turned wrenches on this as an Air Force crew chief when this plane was stationed at National Airport (now named DCA/Reagan National Airport) in D.C. He had many wonderful memories of his time as a crew chief, even meeting with President Eisenhower several times, and always spoke of this Connie as a living thing--not a machine. I salute you all. My dad would've loved to see and hear this jump back into the sky.
These Connies stationed at DCA had call signs SAM (for Special Air Missions) 80610 (which is this one´s) and the paint job was beautiful like white fuselage and the ever present then Dya-Glo orange up front and just next to the tail. SAM aircraft flew presidents and secretaries and of course Top Brass.
Thanks for saving a beautiful Connie. When I was a little kid, we flew the eastern shuttle from friendship to New York on Connies. I do remember that. I still love the old ww2 iron and and those old prop jobs. Awesome.
Glad to see this beautiful bird flying again. The Lockheed Constellation is a gorgeous airplane with that distinctive triple fin tail rudder.🥰
Several years ago my wife gave me a PT-17 flight at Fantasy of Flight. License was current and I got to fly a while. Biggest treat was a Connie on the ramp that I got to walk around. Gorgeous bird! Reminded me of an E Jag. Looks like it’s racing just sitting still! Congratulations to all the folks who made Columbine live again!
So, so cool. Thanks for restoring this gem. Connies are truly special. I flew in one back when they were actual airline airplanes. Sitting over the wing during runup was a bone rattling experience. The Constellation is truly one of the remarkable airplane designs.
I'll tell you North East Texans love their Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Mount Pleasant is a city but it's the size of a town. I love the show up! I remember when the largest cargo plane (An-124) landed in Longview, Texas. Thousand people showed up back in 2001 to watch it load up 4 helicopters from the nose.
This has to be one of the most beautiful aircraft ever built. When I was 17 I had the privilege of flying from Basic training to tech school in one. What a magnificent aircraft. Makes me feel so good to see people care enough to keep one alive. Thank You
Fellow Air Force Veteran Veteran Thank You for your Service from a US Air Force Veteran . I went to Tech School in Denver , Colorado @ Lowry AFB for AFSC 645XX Inventory Mgt Specialist .. Did you make the Air Force a career ? I didn't & I still regret it ' til this day in 2020 @ 68 years old .
@@bobshaw4063 Bob Thank you for your service also. I did not make the AF a career, but it was not that I did not enjoy my time as a 43250 Jet engine mech. But after my tour in Vietnam 68 - 69 I got stationed at Norton AFB in San Bernardino Ca. Which you would think would have been great duty. But we were a support base for Vietnam and I ended up working 6 and 7 days a week. So I was done with it after that.
@@racerd9669 Thank You for your reply . I don't blame you for not staying in . Working 6 and 7 days a week as Jet Engine mechanic I'm sure must have been quite grueling for you . While in Vietnam I hope you weren't affected by Agent Orange like so many others were . Do you know if it affected any females who served in Vietnam ? What rank were you when you discharged ? I tested twice for Staff Sgt I didn't make it the first time in Germany & tested twice but the scores hadnt been posted before I left Germany for discharge @ McGuire AFB in New Jersey . I was a Buck Sgt E - 4 when I got out . Could you have asked to be cross trained in another AFSC? Take Care & Stay well .
I saw one fly years ago at the El Toro airshow it was truly amazing the sound of those engines was spectacular the pilot was banking and doing low passes over the runway it's something I'll never forget. Cheers Howard Hughes 🖒
My guess it's going to be at least 15 to 20 years to get that airplane to the condition the vision for it. Worth the time, effort and money to have the very first Airforce One in flying condition. I am 63 years old and my pilot career is coming to an end, I hope to live long enough to see not only this airplane restored, but sitting next to the Current Airforce One, now that would be a photo for the ages.
I helped Harry Oliver get that airplane out of the boneyard at Davis -Monthan AFB in Tucson way back in the day. What a joy to see those folks are gonna really bring it back to life. Thank You Harry
And thank you for helping Harry!
Was is ever stored at the Pima Air Museum? They've had a few Presidential planes there. I seem to remember seeing it there in the late 70's early 80's.
I thought it was stored at Pinal County Airport, a few miles north of Tucson?
What is the chain of title?
Thank you for the beautiful views of a beautiful aircraft. Ever since I was a kid, Connie's have been my favorite airplane (I am a 72 year old retired A&P), so I understand your feelings about this whole experience. Thank you for saving this beautiful, historic machine. Oh, and I LOVE the sound of those big radial engines.
probably the best shots ever taken of a Connie
Had just short of 2000 hours as an aircrew radioman ATN-2, 1968-1970, VW-1 crew 7 on TE - 07. Headquartered on Guam, tracking typhoons and Vietnam missions we had 10 crews and 12 WC-121-N. TE-00 was our only C-121, Connie. Great years
I was blown away by this story. I hate seeing vintage aircraft wither away and become scrap. Watching this beautiful aircraft being saved and all the team work it took to get it there was nothing short of incredible. I was an aircraft mechanic in the military for 10 years and aircraft never leave your soul once you spend time giving them everything you have. An incredible story with a fantastic ending. Thanks to everyone of you that had a hand in this recovery and preservation......AMAZING!!
Scott H So happy you liked it! It was a lot of fun making this video
I used to live behind the Airplane Graveyard in Tucson, Arizona. It's one of the saddest things I have ever seen. I could literally throw a rock over the fence and hit some Boeing.
Thank you to you and your team for restoring and keeping alive an important part of the U.S.A.'s history! It looks fabulous!
Brings a tear to my eye to see history brought back to life. Thank you men and women for all your hard work. From Indiana ~ USAF 1971-75.
As an 8,9, 10 year old I would watch these fly over our house near High Wycombe and the first thing when you knew it was a connie was the drone of the four engines, I would rush outside and see this four engined triple tailed plane usually in TWA or Pan American airlines livery come over at around 3000 feet! What a sight and sound, can never forget it.!!!
Way way long ago I used to work at Lockhed Burbank and I used to clean off the sealant on the skins after they were installed - lot of hard nasty work in the hot sun outside the plant. Never want to see another gallon of MEK again. My dad was a project engineer on Hughes' connie, that used to sit at Burbank.long long ago... glad to see Columbine will have a proper resting place. JERRY PALMER, MAUI, HI 2019
Thanks for saving her. Keep them flying for the future, Thank you
Every once in a while, you see a video that touches your heart strings. When someone steps up and says words to the effect that, we've seen too many historic aircraft whither away, not again!
Well done gentlemen and thanks for the chance to see the real thing!
Grossman2868 so glad you liked it!! Thank you
As an almost 9 year Air Guard C-119C, C-119G and C-119L Flight Engineer I really appreciate all the hard work and effort to revive this historic Connie. My very first Military aircraft ride was on our States other WVa Air Guard unit's C-121C Connie, The167th AW, out of Martinsburg, WVa. I have flown to Panama a couple of times on their Connie's and once to England UK ! A Cadillac aircraft. Congratulations on getting her flying again ! Just Beautiful and a very wonderful well done Video ! Thank You
Walt sure glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching
ErikJohnston I was right there riding with you the entire Flight ! Our Unit the 130th AW was the very last USAF/ ANG unit to fly the C-119's in 1975. Our C-119G's and "L"s had the same R3350's engines that the Connie's had. Around 1972 time frame our "G"s were converted from 4 blade props to more efficient 3 blade props off of C-121 Connie"s. Loved the Radial Engines !
My Dad would be very proud of you all. Dad was a flight engineer for the Locheed Martin Mars Water bombers on Sproat Lake, Port Alberni, from 1972-79. Dad had a storied career working on vintage aircraft. I remember my Dad saying how these Constellations fly beautifully. You all did a great job putting this Connie together and a very good job doing the video. Thank you very much. I appreciate you all.
The first powered aircraft I flew in was a super G, Connie. I had flown in gliders before. About 1959
I'm thankful we have people with the expertise, money and passion to rescue these aircraft so we can all enjoy them. Thank you!
Thanks for saving this plane. I was part of a facebook group called Save the original air force one. the super connie columbine ii. I read up on it's history, hade some phone calls sent some emails to try to build interest in restring her to her original beauty. I fell in love with Constellations as a youngster in the 50's and flew home from Florida to Chicago on an Eastern Airlines Constellation. My first commercial flight. I now live in Arizona a hundred miles from where she spent her retirement years and not too far from the CAF Arizona Wing. Occasionally they make flights over the house with their restored B17 and I get excited when I hear the radial engines. Again, I salute all of you that put so much time and effort into Collumbie II. There is another C121 at the Pinal Air Museum in Tucson that is also named Columbine but I knew from the tail number she wasn't the Original Air Force One. I hope someday to be able to see her when she has her finest gown on. Wayne Fox USAF 1964-1968.
Sounds like once that second owner knew what he had it was always going to be saved. No one junks a presidential plane. I’m just glad it wasn’t sold back to the government to be cemented to the ground in some museum. All elegant planes, cars, boats, etc. are meant to be used and enjoyed.
The Super Connie is such an elegant machine. As a 10 year old I flew in a BOAC 749 from Bermuda to London via Santa Maria, Azores & Lisbon in August 1951.
I flew in and out of Santa Fe a few times back then and saw her there. I would have loved to been able to afford her. I am an a&p but still, lots of money to buy and restore her. I'm glad she made it to a good home. Congrats everyone!
What a great piece. This is what aviation is all about on so many levels. The passion, the respect for men and machine, the brotherhood. Thanks to everyone who had something to do with rescuing this airplane and thank you for sharing the beginning of the journey with us.
Talked to a retired Constellation pilot at a club we belong to. He flew every version and often over the polar route and had some amazing stories and facts about the plane.
Dive Bar Casanova Man, I’d love to talk to that guy! I would love those stories
Thanks for preserving a living, breathing vintage machinery! It's what makes our country great!
My dad flew for Capitol Airlines and flew Connies. He is gone now but he would have loved to see this video. Mom was/is/ used to be a pilot as well and she loved the lines on the Connies. Here in South-East Michigan we have the Yankee Airforce and they just obtained a Connie and I will be taking mom to see the aircraft as well as take her to the air show there. Mom is 98 years old and still sharp as a tack. She will love it. Thanks for the video and the memories it brings of my dad and mom together. Thank you!
Gary Schuster That’s really awesome!!
Outstanding work men
One of the most beautiful aircraft ever built kudos to all those who keep her flying
The jet equivalent to a 'beautiful' plane is the Boeing 727, alas 'not allowed' to fly in Europe any more, if I owned one I'd fly it at 3,500ft over Berlin, Brussels, Paris and Barcelona at midnight, piss them right off! Then climb to 20,000ft to Kumasi, Ghana, I'd need to keep it at Mildenhall, near where I live.
They have Boeing 707s at Mildenhall and they're nice old jets too.
Even from where I live in North East Scotland I find it saddening that an AF1 like this was cast aside in such a manner but on the other side in coin I find it heartening that people like these gentlemen giving up their time to do the kind of work to keep people's mind's on something that should've never been left to get in the state I was
The excitement these individuals have for this aircraft is contagious!
I may have been on board this plane, rolled down out of Grand Canyon toward Flagstaff and happened upon it outside of a museum on the way down. It impressed me as kind of plush inside, the galley in particular, beyond your usual military equipment.
I remember driving by Dynamic and seeing her sitting on the tarmac. There’s something about the lines of a Connie..nice work.
Glad I found this. We can see that the great passion and friendship among all the crews overides any issues, problems and challenges that they had faced while giving life back to the Columbine. I am into aircraft and I have read the history of Constellation , seen pics, videos and read about it. Its shape is a beauty, its powerful and its part of the American history . 70 years later it still can fly. A great job done by them. They deserve a salute by the people of this country.
Man, I’d have loved to have flown in an EC-121 Constellation Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) aircraft, but it was phased out by the time I reported for active duty in the Air Force on February 20, 1979. The E-3 AWACS, which was based on a Boeing 707 airframe, entered the Air Force inventory in 1977. When I was stationed at Eglin AFB in the late 1980, one of my fellow NCOs was a scope dope on board an EC-121 during the Vietnam War. Just seeing this video, I am glad that Erik Johnston and the rest of the flyboys got that Constellation flying again. Wow.
Only Concorde was ever (arguably) more beautiful!
It's really obvious that she's thankful to be back in the air!
My father used to work on one of these in the Dc air Nat guard. I must admit it was my first love. The Connie opened up the world of aviation to me an loved every minute of it since.
You bought a piece of history. Thank you for keeping it around for the rest of us to see.
I flew to Okinawa on a “Connie.” They were obsolete by the time I got out of the military. Two years in the 173rd Army Airborne as a parachute rigger, doing heavy drop from Caribou’s and C-130’s.
Interesting from a political and aircraft historical point of view
hey brother, i was 173rd too, 2002-2006 Airborne Infantry. 2/503 and 1/508
Wonderful film. Thanks for the making and sharing of it.
There's nothing as beautiful as a Tri-Tail Connie.
I had to drop everything and watch this video! I've been wanting an update/backstory on the retrieval and restoration of Columbine II. Excellent job Erik and all involved in this project!
My first flight as an 8 year old was in 1961 on a TWA Constellation from Wichita, KS to Albuquerque, NM as my dad's new employer flew our family out to join him. What a thrill for a kid to do something not very many others had experienced yet. About 25 relatives all joined us at the Wichita airport to see us off. Everyone still remembers that day all these years later (if they're still alive).
The stewardesses were young, beautiful, unmarried (required), and impeccably dressed. I asked one of them if I could keep the salt & pepper shakers with the TWA logo. She said, "You may keep them if you please."
I was at Ramey AFB when this bird came in. The best thing we saw was the engine starting. #1 would start turning and about 1-2 blades #2 would pickup followed by #3 and then #4. We couldn't figure out the switchology that allowed this bird to be started so smooth and obviously by a highly experienced operator.
Thank you Erik, for making this heartwarming video of American accomplishment, both in original concept and the remarkable teamwork of the many, many folks who got Columbine II flying again. I love the concept that it is private but can be seen, touched, explored, and maybe flown in again, by aviation enthusiasts and history buff members of the public. I well remember these graceful power-houses of the skies when I was a kid.
I remember when she was the Presidents airplane. She was beautiful then and she is beautiful now. Thank you for sharing
My work with the early history of TWA, and Jack Frye (father of TWA) who helped develop the Constellation with Howard Hughes and many others, brought me to your page. I was overwhelmed watching this video, being from Tucson, and knowing I drove past this plane at Marana many times. Thank you! When you talked about the indepth restoration process and crying like a baby when you finally got this transport in the air, I am not ashamed to admit, I cried too! Not only were there so many blessed souls who assisted you, but many who passed over who were right there beside you as well! Wow, what a moving video!
I recently visited the Air Force museum at Wright-Patterson and took a walk through Columbine III. I was taken aback by how beautiful that old Connie was. Seeing this video of her predecessor actually in flight (and stunning video and photography it was) was really moving. To people who work so hard so their fellow Americans can enjoy these beautiful pieces of history, thanks so much.
The Lockheed Constellation is a beautiful, flying piece of art. Lockheed was arguably head and shoulders over most other manufacturers for design and functionality. Think of the P-38....
You should bring it to Oshkosh! It would be amazing to see Fi-Fi, Doc, and Columbine II in formation!
Justin Weinberg that would be cool!
I am sure they will eventually. It will take a several years to do a full restoration, then she will really be a plane to behold.
FiFi, Doc, Columbine II, and Bataan! Talk about the ultimate formation!
It is truly wonderful that these three historic airplanes have been salvaged and saved. Hats off to everyone involved in the process.
It is a blessing that people like these are willing to put the love and care back into this beautiful aircraft and to hear Carl say this aircraft belongs to the American people makes me so proud to be an American. I had the pleasure to fly in a Connie from Lackland AFB to Chunte AFB in 1966. I will never forget the beauty of this amazing aircraft. Thank you so much for posting this on RUclips.
What an absolutely beautiful aircraft!
Amazing! My first time in an airplane was as a six-year-old in 1951. From Schiphol to Montreal, Canada. . . via Prestwick, Scotland and Moncton, New Brunswick.
I was hooked. 45 years later I started on my PPL, eventually acquired a 1966 Cessna 172 G, which helped keep me broke for 13 years. Would not have missed those days.
WOW!!!!! Scott , Eric and ALL of you guys did a FANTASTIC job getting this BEAUTIFUL Connie back up in the air. I hope to one day see her show herself at many many air shows around the country. May God bless ALL of you for saving such a AMAZING part of our history. Thank you ALL so much for sharing this AWESOME experience with us.
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A brotherhood of and for a mission..LOVE it. Keep up the great work crew! Any plane with a radial needs to be saved. Keeps us from having to listen to another turbine.
My grandfather drew the "3-view" of the Constellation, when he worked for Lockheed (before they had computers, of course).
So glad you brought it back to life!
When my late wife and I moved to AZ 11 years ago that 'aircraft junk yard' in marana was one of the first places we visited. that connie was the first one I ever saw up close, then about a month later we heard it was the first AF1 and it was going to be restored...yea😊
I got to visit and board Columbine III at the USAF museum and was blown away how beautiful it was! Thanks for the video Erik!
thank you everyone working on this project
Gorgeous aircraft.....my father was stationed in Ft. Brooke Puerto Rico until 1959 and as a 9 year old together with the family, we flew a MATS Connie back to the States. Still remember.......
Being born in 1949, President Dwight Eisenhower was the first president I remember,and I have always admired him. Knowing that this part of his history and our American history has been rescued is a beautiful thing. Thank you Mr. Stoltzfus for making this happen. Just WOW!
Been following Connies for years and thanks to Ralph Pettersen and his Connie survivors site for tracking the history of nearly all Connies and their known stories and current status. I began following the rescues of Bataan and Columbine II when the stories became known in the media. This is a beautiful video and tribute to the vision of Karl and his organization. Thank you to all who made this epic story possible!
Howard Hughes was a mad genius. An artist along the lines of a Da Vinci. That is a flying work of art.
When Howard Hughs was created, they broke the mold ! 🇺🇸
i had a VIP tour of Columbine when it was in Arizona at the museum. they mentioned to me that the engines are periodically started. i may have been only one of a few who actually knew how cool it really is.
What a beautiful aircraft. I,my brothers and friends were fortunate to grow up in Burbank, Ca in the Fifties. Because of the aircraft industry, back then.
We saw many Constellations taking off and landing at Lockheed Air Terminal on Hollywood Way in Burbank.
25-30 years ago, Columbine was at Fox Field in Lancaster, Ca. along with several other historic aircraft. The crew of the Constellation gave walk-in tours.
The Constellation based in Camarillo, Ca, the crew was auctioning off a ride from Fox Field back to Camarillo at the end of the day. The one catch? If one won one of the five seats auctioned, he or she would have to find a way back Lancaster. The drive back to the Antelope Valley about two hours. Lol. I did, indeed, buy a couple tickets. Did not win though.
I know the feeling the gentleman was referring to when he said the emotions he experienced when he watched the Plane rotate and take flight, I'm not an aircraft mechanic but I am an auto truck mechanic as well as a computer technician. I've built more engines than I can count in my 45-50 years as an engine builder. When the engine first 'lights', it's a feeling that matches no other, knowing you were a part of it. BTW, I remember seeing videos of this Aircraft a year ago or somewhere near that, of the previous owner not really knowing anything about the Historical value, "Columbine II", or the original "Air Force One", almost became a 'donor' for the restoration of other planes.
Bobby Tucker so true! It’s a great feeling!!
In my 20's i worked in my Dad's boat shop and rebuilt whatever needed rebuilding engine wise as i read every thing and went to AP school for a while, he used to say to me on firing up a rebuild I'd done (and they would always fire right up,) you should see you smile !! and you're right it's a great feeling .
I had the privilege of working and flying on the Super Connie's 1970 to 1973 out of 552 AEW and C-wing in McClleand AFB California. also Korat Thailand. there isn't a better flying Recip. aircraft around. Its nice to see this bird is gonna be perserved for our kids and beyond.
I flew on one of these in 1969 with the Tennesee Air National Guard. They were coming through Lajes Field, Azores on their way to the Canary Islands for their monthly training. I worked at the Hospital in the Administration offices and heard they were taking passengers on a first-come, first-serve basis. I grabbed two seats as fast as I could and I and a buddy of mine took the trip of a lifetime. We spent three days on the island of Tenerife and didn't want to come back (this was before the Tenerife disaster, which killed 583 people). We finally climbed back on the "Connie" and flew the 6 or 7 hour flight back to work. It was a magnificent airliner of its time.
Arguably one of THE most beautiful planes ever built.
In my opinion it is the most beautiful airplane ever built. I saw it at the Allegheny County Airport as a kid. It made a huge impression on me then and it still does today. Graceful lines top to bottom.