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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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).
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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
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
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.
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 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.
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
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).
Excellent video... THANK YOU for not adding corny background music and useless commentary through the video. The shots were great too, very good editing... The bit (1 min) of music a the very end is totally forgiven and appropriate. It shows that the video was put together by a true aviation enthusiast.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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.
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!
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....
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.
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!
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!
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
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.
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 !
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!
My brother works for the business that bought her. I was there the day she landed. Man was it ever a sight to behold. Wish I could add the landing video.
When I flew into and out of Rhein Main (Army duty) we flew on stretch DC8's in 1970, military and dependents personnel transports. Would have preferred a Connie.
I seen on the History Channel an episode called Air Force 1. It was very good. In 1954 Columbine President Eisenhower’s plane almost had a mid air collision over Richmond, Virginia with an Eastern Airlines Lockheed Constallation. After that near mid air collision, all Presidential planes have been called Air Force 1. It was a safety move. The most hated of all U.S.Presidents Harry S. Truman’s plane which was a DC 6 was called Independence. In the episode Air Force 1, it covered the history extensively, former crew members were interviewed, and they told of their experiences with the Presidents, one told of Richard M. Nixon who told home to take care of your family, I’ll be alright, that touched my heart that I cried.
I am old enough to remember living on the west side of Indianapolis and seeing them come in for a landing at Weir Cook airport. Of course my memory of the three disks for a tail is what was implanted in a small child’s mind.
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
There is something about old piston-engined aircraft that is so repelling (environmentally), and yet so attractive nostalgically. Especially with a Connie.
My dad took the family to Augusta, Ga to watch Ike leave from Bush field after he had played golf where the Masters is held at Augusta Country Club. I was a young child in the 50's when Ike was President. I loved to watch him wave and enter the plane and watch those massive engines start one by one and billow out all that smoke. We then watched the plane take off for DC.(the kitty's pal-allen from Ga)
Great vid of a beautiful plane. The engine start and the takeoff roll sounds fantastic! Also, the B-25 looks awesome too. I was surprised to see the Connie dwarf it. I always thought the Mitchell was larger, even though it was a medium bomber.
1st sight of one as a kid & it was parked across from U pick junk yard my Father sometimes visited & can only imagine of its fate. A beautiful Plane which ive always thought of, as the Concord of that age. TY, for the peek. 👍
till 1957 this was the jqueen of commercial aviation [ PanAm started Boeing 707 service NewYork - Paris and the era of radial engines would close ].. I remember in 1950's going to TCA hanger at Vancouver airport one saturday afternoon .. Our next door neighbour was a captain on a Constellation and we got a inside guided tour . What a massive airplane !
