Photos: Columbine II, the first Air Force One
A Lockheed Constellation known as Columbine II, also the first Air Force One, leaves Marana Regional Airport.
Columbine ll Moves On
The country's first Air Force One started out as a cargo plane. The 1948 Lockheed Constellation, built in California was refitted for Dwight Eisenhower which he used prior to and during his presidency. It got it's Air Force One monicker following a close call with and Eastern Airlines airplane over New York City in 1953.
Columbine ll Moves On
The 1948 Lockheed Constellation was the sleek and stylish passenger airplane of it's day seating about 70 passengers.
Columbine ll Moves On
The country's first Air Force One started out as a cargo plane.
Columbine ll Moves On
Recent inspections of Columbine 2, the country's first Air Force One, indicate a bad propeller blade. The aircraft flys 4 propellers, each 15' in diameter.
Columbine ll Moves On
Weather and time have been unkind to the airplane. Hydraulic issues have been a problem during the repairs.
Columbine ll Moves On
The last time the four engines were fired up three of them worked. Parts are hard to come by for these old airplanes.
Columbine ll Moves On
Mechanics pore over the Columbine II. More than 100 air worthiness directives from the FAA needed to meet compliance standards in order to make the plane flight ready.
Columbine ll Moves On
Pete Blood, a warbirds mechanic with Planes of Fame, keeps records of the work he is doing.
Columbine ll Moves On
Mechanic Hiram Leon removes one of 36 spark plugs from a 500 horsepower Curtis engine.
Columbine ll Moves On
Mechanic Jack Kubit, left, works on a wiring project as others gather tools for their projects in the on-site work trailer.
Columbine ll Moves On
Brad Holliday sorts the shims to be used in re-installing rebuilt uplift locks for the wheel wells.
Columbine ll Moves On
Brad Holliday, left, and Rocco Minitch work in a wheel well installing uplifter hooks.
Columbine ll Moves On
Work is being done on the outboard rudder system.
Columbine ll Moves On
Many flexible hoses have been replaced with new, fire-sleeved units.
Columbine ll Moves On
Some interior details remain of the original.
Columbine ll Moves On
The interior will get a facelift when the aircraft is moved to Bridgewater, Virginia.
Columbine ll Moves On
Original seatbelt in the 1948 Lockheed Constellation.
Columbine ll Moves On
A photo of the original galley is lit by a porthole window.
Columbine ll Moves On
Navigation equipment still on board .
Columbine ll Moves On
Cockpit during the ongoing refurbishing project.
Columbine ll Moves On
New wiring in the cockpit was necessary to meet airworthiness compliance requirements to fly the aircraft.
Columbine ll Moves On
Visitors view the inside of the nation’s first Air Force One during a recent farewell event. It is almost ready to take flight again.
Columbine ll Moves On
The cockpit of the nation’s first Air Force One is ready to go.
Columbine ll Moves On
Owner of the nation’s first Air Force One, Karl D. Stolzfus Jr. plans to restore the plane to the exact shape it was in when Eisenhower flew in it.
Columbine ll Moves On
A large crowd gathered for a walk through of the plane during a VIP farewell reception on Friday, March 18, 2016.
Columbine ll Moves On
The nation’s first Air Force One, which sat abandoned in the Arizona desert for more than a decade, is almost ready to take flight again.
Columbine ll Moves On
Monday, March 21, 2016 spectators look at a B-25 that will act as a chase plane for the Columbine II.
Columbine ll Moves On
Mechanic Rocco Minitch watches as the props roll.
Columbine ll Moves On
Pilot Lockie Christler, signals to the ground crew.
Columbine ll Moves On
Columbine II, pulls onto the taxi way.
Columbine ll Moves On
Columbine II, lifts off.
Columbine ll Moves On
Columbine II, on its way.
Columbine II
A piece of paper marks where Eisenhower's desk was in Clumbine II, the first Air Force One at Marana Regional Airport in 2003. Aaron J. Latham / Arizona Daily Star
Columbine II
J.R. Kern points to old pictures of the first Air Force One, Columbine II, inside the Lockheed Constellation at Marana Regional Airport in 2003. Kern is director of maintenance for The Constellation Group. Aaron J. Latham / Arizona Daily Star
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. Photo taken in 1987. Fergal Goodman / Submitted photo
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. Photo taken in 1989. Harry Oliver / Submitted photo
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. Submitted photo
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. Photo taken in 1990. Harry Oliver / Submitted photo
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. Photo taken in 1953. Submitted photo
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. Photo taken in 1953. Submitted photo
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. LIFE Magazine
Columbine II
The first plane to be designated Air Force One, also known as Columbine II, a Lockheed Constellation, currently at Marana Regional Airport. Photo taken in 1953. Submitted photo
Columbine II
Columbine II starting engines at Davis-Monthan AFB in 1990 for her final flight to Marana Airport. U.S. Air Force photo
Columbine II
Ringed by a security guard, the Columbine, newly named Constellation which is the president’s private plane, waits at the military air transport terminal along the Potomac River in Washington on Feb. 26, 1953. William J. Smith / Associated Press