Eisenhower's Lockheed Air Force One, Columbine
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- Опубликовано: 24 мар 2016
- On March 21st 2016 Lockheed Constellation named "Columbine" by US President Dwight D. Eisenhower departed Marana Regional Airport in Southern Arizona. The plane was beginning a ferry flight to Bridgwater Virginia for a full restoration.
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I lived near the Burbank air field in California where Lockheed was busy turning out connies as fast as they could. My family and I would eat at the restaurant attached to the tower quite often. I was a kid and planes fascinated me no end. I spent part of my adulthood as an A&E mechanic before entering the Air Force.
In my opinion the L-1049 constellation was the most graceful and proportioned airliner ever to fly. There are some still flying in South America and Africa. I imagine parts are getting hard to find.
Eisenhower had class just for traveling in a Constellation. The Constellation was the pinnacle of the Golden Age of air travel. I am glad to hear it is being restored.
Beautiful plane. 1957, 10 years old, emigrating from Amsterdam to Victoria BC. window seat right over the port wing. Moon shining off the gently waving wing tip tanks, holding a small metal model of the plane they gave out. Thanks for the memories.
For my money the Super G Constellation has always been the most beautiful airplane ever built. Lockheed really hit a home run with that one!
Any operational Connie is a joy. This one is an historical treasure.
instablaster
I flew in to Roswell, NM with my cousin in the early 90s. This plane was sitting on the tarmac, a guy working on the plane gave us a tour inside. He showed us where Eisenhower's desk was placed. You could still see the outline of the desk legs that were secured to the aircraft. A beautiful plane.
I spent 37 hours on this aircraft in September 1962.(I still have my orders for that and every flight from 1953 to 1966.) It was on a one-way round the world flight to Andrews/Bolling AFB near D.C. where it was to be retired and then completely restored. I don't know exactly what needed "restoring". The interior was like no plane I had ever been in to date. Two hours out of Travis the Captain announced that something had "gone out" but we would not be returning to Travis (CA) as the plane would still fly without whatever "it" was. We landed at Pearl and had a 2.5 hour hold-over while the ground crews worked on "it". We finally heard the call to re-board and off to Wake. About two hours out of Pearl the "It" went out again but on to Wake anyway. It finally dawned on me that the "It" had something to do with the aircraft "air" system as the cabin, galley and heads (W.C.'s) were all getting warm and really "stuffy," so to speak. We stayed on Wake long enough for me to find out that part of the runway extended into the Pacific. I knew it was some time between midnight and 0500. While on Wake I walked all the way out to the end of the runway and then followed the runway from one end to the other. That turned out to be one side of the island to the other. They finally load-speakered the call to "load-up". We were off to Anderson (Guam). Again after only three hours "It" failed again. The Captain basically announced to our cabin, "the Hell with it Folks!," and we flew on. We held over at Anderson while they worked on "It" again. While sitting on a bench outside of the Quonset-hut base OP's a Chief-Master Sergeant introduced me to a four-inch "Rice Bug" I was about to squash with my foot. He warned me not to do that or hundreds of other ones would descend on us to "aid" the former "rice bug." After three hours we re-boarded and were off to Clark at last. At least the poor Columbine's "it" was consistent, if nothing else. We did fly through the outer edge of a typhoon in the late afternoon and lightning bolt struck the tip of the right wing (the wing outside of my window). While it didn't seem to damage the Columbine the thing that was absolutely beautiful (to me anyway) was the wing, engines and all else I could see was shimmering with a liquid blue "fire". Except for "It", we finally reached our destination, Clark AB, Pampanga, Tarlac, P.I. The Columbine was the most comfortable Prop-aircraft I can remember flying on. Breakfast and the evening meal were among the most savory and enjoyable, if not elegant meals I have ever been served. Lunches and sometimes "snacks" were also unforgettable for a different reason--- the infamous, proverbial "in-flight Box lunch!"---and the last of those I have ever eaten. This time the Columbine held over for a day and a half and left Clark, mid-afternoon in the rain. It truly was a beautiful, unforgettable aircraft. I can also add, at the time that I flew on the Columbine, our seats were of a Royal blue velvet or velour and very comfortable. At the front was a section of Burgundy and Gold velvet/velour seats. I am very glad to see that She is properly being cared for. GP Holk.
GP Holk Thank you for sharing.
GP Holk
Thank you very much for sharing that.
Thank you.
Great machine.
It's obvious you aren't a mechanic by the statement of not knowing what needed "restoring". I saw this plane when I was in Arizona several years ago. BTW...I was stationed at Anderson AFB and never saw a rice bug. They were in Thailand.
The Connie is still one of the most beautiful airplanes ever built.
I was lucky to fly on a Quantas one while they were in regular service. Also a DC6,(TEAL) and a DC7 (BOAC) Lockheed Electra ( TEAL) . Missed out on the Pan Am piston engined plane of the same period ( Late 1950's ) My Dad was on the last Short Solent flight to Fiji.
I agree, a wonderful arch back appearance, not the straight aluminium tube of most modern airliners.
I agree, there is just something about them that looks so neat.
Absolutely. Lockheed was always artistic when designing their airplanes.
I flew one of these, but before the "super" designation.
Ron Pintfeyman
R Feynman phd thesis
As I grew up in the '50s, these were the aircraft I saw most often; the DC3, DC4, DC7, Sunderland, Harvard, Vampire, Friendship, Viscount and Electra being the commonest, as we lived at the time below the flight path to Whenuapai and Hobsonville, the International, National and Military air fields. We could identify by sound before we saw them. Those were the days!
I would love to see the most beautiful aircraft ever built live one day. I am absolutely addicted to the beautiful Connie! 😍😍😍
A Lockheed Constellation just like this one was the first airplane I ever flew on . I was 20 years old , and it was November , 1965 . Went from McGuire AFB , NJ to Lackland AFB ,Tex . for Air Force basic training . Took 10 hrs with 2 stops on the way . Never will forget . I wish I could do it again ! Video sounds great with head phones on a computer . Just what HP is suppose to sound like . Thanks .
I was a radioman on a VQ1 Super Connie EC-121 from 1967 to 1968. They were a graceful beautiful bird, even with all of the extra stuff our Reconnaissance squadron needed. We flew 12 hour missions some longer. The only thing that hurts my memory is the friends I lost on the North Korean Shoot Down of PR-21The Pilot and the radioman I was friends of both.
I was with VQ-1 from August 1969 till July 1971,crewed on PR25
To me, the Super Constellation was the most beautiful plane of all times. Thanks for uploading.
My dad was a nav on the ec121 in Middletown PA when I was a kid. He was the nav that gave all the others their check ride. He loved flying missions in that old bird. He got promoted to 06 and his job was an 05 slot and he retired. Flying missions with the 93rd special operations group was the thing he enjoyed most. He was never as happy when he retired. They flew missions all over the world. His nickname was Roadrunner because when they landed he didn't stop exploring until it was time to fly. He brought home all kinds of things from around the world. Carvings from Thailand and paintings from Spain. The man loved the USAF in a huge way.
My father was a career USAF CWO-4 stationed at Turner AFB in Albany, Georgia from 1959 until he retired in 1965 after 25 years. President Eisenhower flew into Turner a number of times during his presidency to go hunting for Bobwhite Quail. In 1960 he made his last trip as President and my father was able to get my mother and I onboard this plane for a little tour while it was parked. I was 11 years old, and I still distinctly remember the nose art on that plane. There was no security other than one individual who directed my mother to sign a visitors log and then showed us the interior of the plane. Connies are among the most beautiful of airplanes. Standing still, they still look like they're going 300 mph.
Saw my dad off on one on these in 1958...remember it so well because it was for his sisters funeral...
Beautiful aircraft! Love the sound of those Cyclones as they come to life. Thanks for keeping Ike's aircraft alive for future genetrations to appreciate!
I flew from LaGuardia to LAX in a Connie in 1958. I was 7. We had a sleeping berth and they gave me junior wings, comfy sox, and a tour of the cockpit. But I couldn't sleep because of the fiery exhaust flaming from the engines. I thought we were going down. In the morning we had insane turbulence over the Grand Canyon and my scrambled eggs made an encore.
The engines of a B29 in a beautifully styled airliner, Probably the best looking prop airliner ever built.
it is
First off, Thank You so much for not adding any music. Thank you for posting Ike's Triple Connie in the air. It was justly saved from the wrecker's for the Triple Constellation is an high expression of an American art form from a time gone past. A beautiful piece of work.
That B-25 is another work of art of equal status, but from a different time and different roots.
Not very different time. The original Connie saw service during WWII. This C-121A was built in 1948.
បចេកទេសការហោះហេ។ ល
សរសេមិកេ😀
An absolutely beautiful aircraft, I am very pleased that the aircraft was eventually taken care of, the former Airforce One (the finest of them all) deserves only the best.
This Connie ( Columbine II ) was flown into Abilene, KS for Ike's 100 birthday celebration back in 1990. I lived there at the time. They had it on display at the local airport for the public to view. We were allowed to go into the cockpit and sit in the seats. A P51-D Mustang was there too. What a thrill that was.
It’s a symphony of engines working in harmony.
For such large planes the Connies and Super Connies were absolutely beautiful. I was in a Super Connie Squadron VR7 from '58 to '61. I trained pilots in our Simulator, and got to fly a couple hundred hours in our Connies. I was a TD2 and have great memories of those times!
I was in VR8 60to 62
Was at Hickam 58-61 and worked on many Connies of VR7. 1502FMS, Transient Maint. Recip eng Mech. Even got to start a few after maint was complete. What more could a 19 yr old kid do to beat that. No doubt the most beautiful A/C of its day.
nothing like the sound of 4 propeller engines at full power during takeoff. The Connie was one of a kind, such a beautiful and elegant plane.
God bless you for taking the time to restore this legendary aircraft, as an A&P F/E ATP it's a joy to see her flying again
I grew up with Connies flying low overhead. We were on the approach to LaGurdia. In our 1 bedroom apartment, in Brooklyn, on the 6th floor, on cloudy days when the cieling was very low, the smell of aviation exhaust permeated our apartment and neighborhood. For little kid it was a thrill not a nuisance (born 1943).
Yes- thank you for not adding music. Those engines are the music-perfect harmony-great video guys!
I've been in that plane. It was at the Santa Fe Airport before being in Arizona. It was there for years. Love this plane and the interior is so 50's neat.
March 1959 San Francisco or Travis AFB. Got on a contract MATS flight to Tachikawa AB in Japan. Aircraft was a Lockheed Constellation. Flew by way of Hickam/ Wake to Tachikawa. Out of Wake we ran in to heads winds and had to return to Wake before reaching point of no return. We each were given actual box lunches for the flight. I was active duty E-3 heading for 2 year tour of duty at NAF Oppama, Japan. Memories.
April 1962, Travis to Clark Field in the P.I. with refueling at Hickam and Wake Island. Took 36 hours, and I kept my eyes on those engines all the way. Flying Tigers Airline had bought it surplus from the Navy and I knew what kind of maintenance they had.
I did the same route but in 1958. To Johnson AFB. With 1st AACS Mobile. Hope you enjoyed Tachi.
I have just over 2000 hours pilot time (US NAVY version) in the Connie.
Perhaps the best looking transport airplane ever built, and a delightful machine to fly
I was scrambled once while on soesterberg afb on standby , radar directed me to a blib entering Belgian airspace without filing a flight plan flying west to east . I identified the plane was a usaf constellation and was ordered to break off. I was told later back on base that the plane had General Eisenhower on board.
Now THAT'S a good story.
I saw this plane and Pres. Eisenhower in 1955 or 1956 in Woodward, Oklahoma. It was a special day I will long remember. Beautiful plane!
Ain't nuthin' like the music of round airplane motors!
My love for and appreciation of Lockheed Connies started when I was in second grade. We had newspapers for kids called "The Weekly Reader" a weekly newspaper printed with kids in mind. One of the stories was about the Columbine. It had just been delivered to the Air Force for use as Eisenhower's plane -- this was, I believe, before the designation Air Force One was created. I still remember the quote that was credited to Ike by the newspaper. "Isn't it a beautiful plane?" Yes, it was, Mr. President and it still is. I am so glad this airplane still flies and wasn't chopped into tiny pieces of aluminum scrap.
TheWaywardWind p
On of the very greatest. A Constellation on the ground looks like it's already in flight. I saw my first in around 1960 in Hawaii, when I was even younger than that, and it stood out like a swan among pelicans.
I agree...when I hear one I run outside to watch it fly over
From an old Flight attendant, what a thrill that was to watch, a super aircraft for sure!
I flew in one coming back from Alaska on the Fourth of July in 1970. And seeing all the fireworks from the air. From Seattle to LAX, Beautiful sights.
Nothing like hearing those 3350's crank up! I still think the Super Connie was the prettiest plane ever made! Thanks to Uncle Sam, I got to work and fly on this beautiful bird.
Your a lucky guy.
IM IN UK AND I THINK THE SAME MOST MAJESTIC AIRCRAFT EVER THEY SHOULD DO A LIMITED ADDITION REMAKE
Myself, from 1955-1959 at Charleston AFB, SC.
Ratdog 305 Was 7
3350's as in same as b29 engines?
Flying beauty... thanks for the gentle (and not too loud !!) music
What a day at the airfield.. Connie rolls out.. B-25 rolls out.. a P-51D was in the run-up / hold short even. Hell if the King Air is a great looking plane. Glad you got it on film for the rest of us.
You forgot to mention the DC 3, DC4/6 and other pistons in the background.
Why do you think it was a P51 at the threshold ahead? Looked like a modern aerobatic to me (CAP 300 or similar).
Still one of the most beautiful planes ever built !
Not
@@michaelmccoy5931 click baiter.
I agree,
@@richarddotter9681 k
I'm old enough to have experienced the change over from the propeller powered to jet powered commercial aircraft. I used to watch the Connies fly over my house as a child into & out of the airport near my house, I grew up & actually got a job working at the airport. I've been there more that 20 years now, and have hd the privilege of seeing many different types of aircraft in that time including the Constellation, and the B25 Mitchell. I even got to see the B2 and B117 while I've been there.
This is the original "Columbine", the aircraft in the USAF Museum is “Columbine III” a Lockheed VC-121E. I am very glad to see this plane being taken care of now, as it should have been done many years ago.
www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/195805/lockheed-vc-121e-columbine-iii/
I agree 100%, we have lost too many of our heritage aircraft to time. now we can save the best of the best thats still at rest..
Many thanks! Knew I had seen Ike s plane in Dayton so couldn't figure it out.
I have been a war bird lover all my life just about, from the first time I knew what an airplane was. I got my pilots certificate when I was 28, but haven't flown for years because of medical reasons. I had a special place in my heart for the Super con, as it was the first model I ever built as a youngster, but the fact that this was the presidents, has to be a special treat to see it going to be immortalized, for what it was and who it carried, is fantastic. I cant begin to express how much I would love to be a part of any restoration, of any type, unfortunately , I wasn't born with the bank account to accommodate this type of pastime, plus not being in the right place, to be close to this kind of action. I'm 72, so most time is behind me now, but glad there are you folks to keep this all going. Thank you . I flew on the B-17, last year, aluminum over cast, and it was the highlight of my life, thanks to my grandson, getting me a ticket.
This is by far the best video of this event...thanks for being there!!!!
Coming of age in the 1950s I remember this plane well and its attachment ot IKe. Bravo for savying it.
I flew to England in 1965 on one of these girls... Great aircraft
I flew on these in the 50’s. Once on HH’s personal Connie.
I was on the other end in Mount Pleasant. TX when they came in. To witness that sight was a once in a lifetime event.
Yeah, been a long, long time since big recips were rather common in the skies. I live near Wichita and have recently seen our newly restored B-29 "Doc" take flight around us on some days. Basically same engines as on the Connie now - quite the sound and sight.
The Lockheed Connie was a wonderful plane but my fave the Lockheed 1011 TriStar was a luxurious dream to fly in.
My father took me to KC airport (the old one) when I was a child. There were several Connies on the field, and one 707. He also took me out to see a B-25 that hadn't made it to the Olathe Naval Air Station, and landed in a cornfield. What a coincidence to see both planes in one video.
One of the most beautiful aircraft ever designed and produced.
I got goose bumps watching those engines spin up and come to life. It's like an "awakening." Very exciting.
thanks for not having distracting music. Brings back some nice memories
I've been up on one in the 90s operated by the Constellation Group out of the Scottsdale airport. Such a beautiful plane.
this is beautiful, really beautiful....thank you
What a Historic, Triple-tailed beauty. In 1976, I blocked - in the Flying Command Post of the USAF at Dover AFB, and was allowed to take a walk inside, without an escort. I spent 2 1/2 years in the Follow-Me Truck there. Btw, Dover was a Lockheed Base ... C-5's and C-141's
Wonderful Aircraft great to see them still flying.
So elegant for it's time...just a beautiful bird.
Totally freaking LOVED IT! Many thanks and high-fives to those who engineered the camera and sound, couldn't have been better and more exciting. I play my PC sound through my office stereo system and it was great! I was happy with just 4 radial engines but they added the B-25's two! Round Engine Heaven!
Pima Air Museum is just about 8 miles from my house. Love passing by on Valencia RD and seeing all the planes!
Nice music toward the end too. Loved the Connies, thanks for posting this.
I know Marana well ! Took my first balloon ride there and my private pilot test flight. That is a very beautiful B25. It is one of my favorite military aircraft along with the P51 and the F86. All made by North American Aviation !
My two favorite planes,outstanding!
I worked on EC-121’s back in 1972. They were beautiful birds.
Great editing of the film and lovely ending music! Hats off to all who contributed to this flight and video.
Saw this years ago at the Pima Air Museum and I even got to go inside it. Glad they are going to restore it.
...what a beauty. so glad she's going to be restored.
Great plane and vlog. Sure would love to see inside Columbine.
That's pretty cool to see that plane in startup to takeoff... beautiful plane.
Oh, the iconic Connie. The only plane built that was flying even when not in motion. What a glorious design.
I think it kinda reminds me of the Concorde only with propellers instead of jets.
The sight and sound of this plane is awesome
I've been flying out of Marana Regional since 2005. The Columbine was parked just to the west of runnway 12/30 and I would glance at it every so often. I've always liked Connies. They are such beautiful aircraft. All that time I had no idea it was Ike's plane. Wished I'd taken some pictures.
Love the sound of those big old radial engines!
Wow! Love the Constellation!
I was stationed at Eglin AFB near Fort Walton Fl in 1968. I was a Security Police Officer. And guarding an EC 121 was part of my job. The plane was an Electronic Surveillance plane that flew all over the world gaining information.
Still a beauty! Love this old birds!❤️
In my opinion the Connie is the most elegant large aircraft ever built, and am happy to remember flying in a BOAC 749 from Bermuda to London via Santa Maria in the Azores and Lisbon on August 1951.
Great air craft .fantastic to see .brilliant. on all four propellers the rour of the engine. Very outstanding. I go quite a few air shows in the past very entertaining to see . Brilliant
I lived Near Sea Tac Airport Seattle , 1954-1962. The sounds,Of the Planes pistons so cool
What a beautiful aircraft, from an era where they were more common, aviation was more diverse and the word "columbine" exclusively referred to a species of pretty flowers
GOT to see the TWA Connie
DuPage Airport Airshow
1995 or '96
WITH the GeeBee R2...!!!
Just wanted to compliment the cameraman / person whatever. Superb continuous focus and great audio without limiters on it. Thank you for a job well done.
Shame on the guy who took a ride on that maintenance battery trolley. You got caught out not pushing, buddy. Ha!
ydyjuu
Stu Art. 9
I noticed that. Shame!
Wow! Awesome Video! I will be keeping up with the Restoration.
Wow.... just wow. As an Australian I love how the yanks are restoring their old planes. This one obviously has historical significance.
And as an American, it makes me proud to see the planes of one of our past presidents take to the skies once more
One of these was restored from the Arizona desert, for your airline, Quantas.
I was stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB (DNAFB) in Tucson AZ, I lived on the East side of the base. There was an aircraft scrap yard close to the house I was renting at the time where I could see the triple tails of several Constellations from the back yard. One day an older guy showed up at the gate of that yard and asked the owner if he could come in an take some pictures of one of the Constellations and the owner asked why. The gentleman said he knew the tail number of that aircraft and that he was a Crew Chief of that particular aircraft for several years. Then he said it was President Eisenhower's aircraft the Columbine and wanted to take pictures of it before it was broken up. The owner of the scrap yard was shocked by this news and called the Air Force for conformation about the aircraft the next day. When it was confirmed, he was sick because the interior was stripped, all instruments and a lot of other stuff was pulled from the aircraft. This guy spent years trying to get what he could back and put it back on the aircraft and get it airworthy. He had gotten a hold of several museums to see if they wanted the aircraft. I watched it take off from DMAFB when it went up to Marana airport where it sat for several more years until this day when it went for it's full restoration.
If it wasn't for that one guy, it would have ended up as so much aluminum scrap!
Too bloody right, mate. I reckon the Australian Warbird scene is pretty healthy considering our population base etc, but compared to the USA, well, theirs certainly is enviable.
Its one thing you can never take away from the Yanks, they don't forget their history, or their allies they have shared that history with.
Off the top of my head I can think of at least 3 airframes in Victoria that the US have generously been a part of. The National Vietnam Veterans Museum has a UH-1D and a AH-1 Cobra, Point Cook RAAF museum has an F-4 Phantom. I'm positive there are more
Fantastic. Kudos to him.
Beautiful the Eisenhower's Lockheed Air Force One, Columbine. . .
Very Brave the crew when landing gear goes up.!!
Another jewel from Kelly Johnson. He's like Bach; this stuff can't be imagined by human beings, it comes from somewhere else. The Constellation is beautiful but every line has a function; its beauty comes from its expression of natural laws. No one ever like Kelly, no one since.
My dad worked for Kelly Johnson for many years. He eventually became vp of field services, and was instrumental in developing the F-104 Starfighter. He remained with Lockeed until his death in 1963. I spent a lot of time their with him in Burbank; fond memories.
CRYING!
Used to see Connie's out of Tampa International
1960s...
I love DC-6Bs... BUT!
That is one beautiful Connie!
Terrific video of Ike's Connie "Columbine" and the B-25 bonus! Thanks for using the background music appropriately at the very end instead of during the whole video which would have disrupted the mighty sound symphony of the Lockheed Constellation's four Wright R-3350 engines. Nice editing job too and thanks for sharing!
Very cool to watch. Thanks for posting this.
One of the most beautifully designed planes EVER.....
I've been able to see a few Connies flying over the years. I think that the last one I observed was at Nellis for the 50th Anniversary of the Air Force show.....So it's been quite awhile....but it's a sight you don't forget....
Excellent video and editing! I second the choice of music at the appropriate time and volume! Bravo Zulu!
The history of this aircraft is great, and I hope the refurb goes well. Years ago on Lufthansa, I opened their catalog and in it was a mini model of a Connie - I got it, but can't find it right now, but it was very nice. Beautiful plane, and great performance. Several weeks ago, my wife and daughter were on a NYC area highway when they saw, off to the side, a very long, silvery tube - the hull of the Connie that's going to JFK to be at the TWA hotel.
there was a Lufthansa Connie on display at Frankfurt Flughafen.
Tight pilot quarters. Beautiful aircraft. I worked on them at Flying Tigers in LAX. They were freighters. Nice
Fantastic ! Thanks for sharing this fine video of two iconic aircraft. Brings back memories of my youth growing up in Burbank, Ca. As kids we would ride our bikes to Lockheed Air Terminal, now Hollywood Burbank-Bob Hope Air Terminal, to watch Connies take off and land.
I was in Van Nuys as a boy and you could hear 'em coming and B29s long before they flew over our house.
I had over 1,000 hours in Navy EC-121Ms of VQ-2 as a spook. I loved those old planes. Sometimes we'd come hone on three engines; but we always made it home!
I think the Connie was the most beautiful aircraft ever made! Love it! :-)
The Connie & the B17 will always be my favorite looking planes!
Glorious..my favorite plane
There is something about old piston-engined aircraft that is so repelling (environmentally), and yet so attractive nostalgically. Especially with a Connie.
Love those constellations