Tour through Eisenhower's Air Force One - VC-121 Columbine III

Eisenhower's Air Force One Lockheed Super Constellation VC 121 Columbine III detailed tour, on display at the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, Ohio.
Thumbnail credit National Museum of the US Air Force
Other Presidential aircraft:
SAM 26000 VC-137C: • Detailed tour through ...
Lockheed VC-121E “Columbine III”: this video!
Douglas VC-118 “The Independence”: coming soon
Douglas VC-54C “Sacred Cow” : • Video
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#airplane #plane #plane
0:00 intro
0:22 tripple tail design
0:55 Columbine III name
1:02 forward design
1:30 going inside
1:45 cockpit, pilots and flight engineer
4:12 presidential state room

[@That_Stealth_Guy]

No matter how many times I see a Connie I am in awe of just how beautiful the design is. To me it is as iconic as a Jaguar E-type

[@corneliuscrewe677]

You and I are of a mind, that is the perfect description of a Connie.

[@billakers6082]

V-12.

[@johndeere865]

Both are timeless.

[@crushingvanessa3277]

But I think the Connie is more reliable for staring up. I'd take either.

[@dougtaylor7724]

I’ve always considered the Connie the shining star of American aviation. It just looks state of the art and way ahead of its time. If someone built a modern turbo prop copy of the Connie I would fly them every chance I had. Even if they were slower and louder, I want to arrive in style.

[@dc10fomin65]

Always loved this airplane, I think it's the most aesthetically beautiful frame ever designed, and I had the absolute unforgettable pleasure of flying in two of them. First 18 August , 1961 at 12 years of age I flew in a VARIG ( RG ) Super Constellation G from Sao Paulo to Idlewild ( now JFK ) with several technical stops. Second, August 19 1961 flew in a TWA Super G from LGA to MDW, ( O'Hare had just opened and was not operating at full blast yet. I recall TWA marketed the service as "AMBASSADOR", I felt important, wow, real class. And, this is my whole Connie experience, after that, came the 707, DC-8, CV-880 and all else, I am now 75 and still fly whenever I can, regards to all!

[@paulhall170]

We have the world's only flying Connie Super at an airfield a couple of miles from my home here in Australia. A group of private citizens flew back and forth to the US for seven years re-building her, then flew her back here to Albion Park Airport. It flies, regularly, and every time I hear it I rush out of the house and look up at this beautiful old airliner passing overhead. It is also available on the ground for visitors to get inside and look around, such an experience!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep HARS is great. I live nearby too.

[@raywhitehead730]

Lucky guy! I flew in one as a child passenger in the late 50's. Many versions were made.

[@bobgraham3289]

Yes, a beautiful plane. I remember admiring a TWA Constellation from the observation deck at Philadephia International Airport. I might have been 16, so 1963, and I walked over to its gate and asked a stewardess who had come off the plane if she would show it to me, She did! She took me down the terminal stairs, across the tarmac, up the boarding stairs and into the plane, and even introduced me to the pilots. I remember being surprised at how the seat backs seemed high and there was not a lot of headroom above the seats, but maybe I'm remembering wrong as I don;t think I was ever in another Connie. Anyway, thanks so much to that stewardess who came off working a flight, and helped a young kid with his enthusiasm for flight.

[@Reid-yy5nw]

I got to see President Eisenhower and his Columbine land many times at our local airport on his golf trips to the Augusta National Golf Club. Once as a kid I even raced through the crowd and shook hands with the President. Such memories.

[@ronwinkles2601]

I got to fly on this aircraft on December 20, 1966 from Wright-Paterson AFB, Dayton, OH to Andrews AFB, MD. I was able to catch a hop on it flying home to get married while serving in the Air Force at Edwards AFB, CA. It was then designated Air Force III and still carried the Presidential Insignia. It was a gleaming beauty both inside and out.

[@167curly]

In August, 1951 I flew alone from Bermuda to London via Santa Maria, Azores & Lisbon via a BOAC (later BA) Constellation 649 or 749, the oldr version of this Super Connie. It took 21 hours to reach London, and Heathrow was still a row of wooden buildings along the Old Bath Road. The aircraft carried 64 passengers in comfy lesther seats and we were served several hot meals on china plates. Memorable to a ten year old.

[@ZippyThePinhead]

Thank you for the tour. Even though I realize this isn't a commercial airline layout, seeing the limited area compared to aircraft today it's very interesting. I was born during the time of the switch over from prop powered to jet powered aircraft. I used to watch these beauties fly over my house when I was very young, and it was a bit of a bummer when they stopped. Kind of marks a significant sad change in my childhood. 🙁

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@paulazemeckis7835]

My fav vintage aircraft!

[@khanhasanm]

Am really thankful to you that your are showing us such astonighing birds. Respect your efforts.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

You're welcome. Many more similar videos on my channel :)

[@khanhasanm]

@@PaulStewartAviation Yes, have seen many of them. They are really informative and excellent for a flying machine lover, like me. ;)

[@darrellh1840]

The Presidential aircraft displays at the USAF museum in Dayton is a must see! I toured last year and found myself with a few elementary school students. One pointed to a strange black device and asked what is that? Their guide said “ that is a telephone!”. Made me feel old!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@cruisinguy6024]

The USAF museum is so massive and so incredible that one could spend an entire week there and still not cover everything. One of my favorite places in the entire world!

[@anthonyg9739]

I was fortunate enough to take a tour through this magnificent aircraft when she was at Santa Fe.

[@historyinbitesizedchunks5857]

At the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson Arizona, they have the VC-121A "Columbine that Ike used as SHAPE commander in the fifties.

[@joebonomono5078]

I used to watch "Save a Connie" fly over Kansas City, she was low, slow, and beautiful.

[@iloveaviation-burgerclub-a8145]

There is no more majestic plane than the Super Connie. Todays airliners are designed to cost showing constant cross section to reduce complexity. The drag is accepted for this easy to manufacture strategy. This is in an emotional view sad but really makes sense. We will never ever see such sexy crafts. No matter if aircraft, car or what ever. So good seeing it fly when the Flying Bulls appear in a mirror finished Connie.

[@jackriley5974]

Back in '60 the Air Force was kind enough to transport me from California to Japan via Hawaii, Midway, Wake and Guam on a C-121. Very impressive for an 18 year old starting a lifetime of adventures!

[@raywinters1472]

At 6 years old I was flown from Tokyo to Wake Island to San Francisco (possibly Travis AFB) on a super Connie with my parents and baby sister when my father's tour at Johnson AFB outside Tokyo was completed. Then in high school I watched Connies adapted for airborne radar fly out of Otis AFB on Cape Cod. A durable, flexible aircraft.

[@jasongarufi8187]

Hi Paul what a magnificent looking plane! Thanks for the tour.

[@danielmorris6523]

My father used to work at British Aerospace as a photographer and he took some great photos. On one occasion he took photos of Eisenhower's Air Force One arriving in the UK and I'm guessing it would be this actual aircraft (without looking in the loft for the original photo I couldn't be 100% sure). Beautiful looking aircraft. All the best.

[@GeneralGayJay]

A beautiful aircraft!

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

This aircraft spent many years outside at the Santa Fe airport out in the dirt far away from the regular traffic of the airport. Back in the mid 90's I can remember walking all around it with my father wondering about it's fate. It's nice to see that it was properly restored and has a good home now. Who ever told you it was flown to the museum in the 60's for permanent display was mistaken. I still have photos of it sitting out in the desert.

[@crushingvanessa3277]

Is this the one that sat on her tail as a parts plane? I heard of one that was saved and the owner was trying to raise money for restoration but had a hard time.

[@GaragebandandBeyond]

@@crushingvanessa3277 The one I saw was still all together. Just dusty

[@anthonyg9739]

@@crushingvanessa3277 No, the aircraft at Santa Fe was all together and I believe was in flyable condition, with a bit of work. I was fortunate enough to board and tour this plane during one of the airshows there in Santa Fe. Beautiful plane.

[@thomasjacques5286]

The Connie s so iconic and one of the most beautiful aircraft EVER built.

[@DavidRLentz]

Thank you for your acknowledgement.

[@KiwiPlaneVideos]

Thank you so much for sharing this tour of this VC-121 Columbine III with us!!! It's always fascinating to see the history and technology of aviation, and this Air Force One is certainly an impressive piece of both. I appreciate the time and effort you put into creating this video and sharing it! 👍👍 Keep up the great work Paul!

[@leonb2637]

My father worked for Curtiss-Wright from 1952-1963. His work included inspections of engines undergoing a major overhaul. One time an engine from this plane was damaged during a test. Everyone involved was investigated. It turned the 'master control' for the fuel, like a carburetor, that had been serviced by an outside vendor, had a part get loose and got into the engine.

[@johnharris6655]

The Reagan Library has a full size 707 that was used as Air Force One for Reagan. I was surprised how small it was.

[@Robslondon]

Beautiful aircraft and a great video Paul.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bluebarron351]

Great video! Short and to the point!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@greghudson1489]

My first flight on an airplane was in one of these. Pan Am flight from California to Japan back around 1962.

[@leestebbins5051]

I believe this used to be on display at the Pima Air Museum in Tucson.

[@flyingfortressrc1794]

Great tour, Thanks Paul.

[@oldbigshoe]

The first Air Force one, Columbine II, is currently under restoration at Dynamic Aviation in Bridgewater Virginia. It is the one that was found in the Arizona desert in 2015 and after a year's hard work, was able to fly in March 2016 to the Bridgewater airfield. i know because I was there and only live a short distance from Bridgewater. Restoration is about 85% complete. Search on KZbin and the story of Columbine II is here.

[@dlbrittain1976]

hey paul....after many years..i was finally able to visit the presidentIal aircraft...at th NMUSAF....i noticed the older they were the door headroom was lower.........😮😮

[@Bad_Karma1968]

Great vlog as always Paul

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks 👍

[@prezdough3049]

The aircraft and museum look amazing! It’s pretty cool to think that Eisenhower flew on this. Technology has changed so much since then! Thanks so much for this great tour, Paul!

[@QurikyBark32919]

It’s fascinating to see how all of these presidential aircraft have very similar interiors. They almost all look like the same plane from the inside.

[@HankyInTheTanky]

Thank you for these videos I live only 45 min away from the museum and love going and always love learning about the museums planes especially the presidential aircraft that I think are some of my favorites

[@stephenalexander6033]

Never occurred to me that the triple tail was to keep overall height low, but makes perfect sense. And all this time I just thought they liked the look!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep. it's interesting stuff! Check out my Super Connie tour video for more explanations for why it's the the shape it is. I'm looking at filming the Connie at HARS in Australia and I'll go in to it in more detail in the early new year.

[@scotty11782]

Thanks Paul

[@radardimaria2261]

Planning a trip to Dayton to see the museum this summer...I had no idea it even existed, will definitely check it out! Great video....thank you!!!!!!!!!!

[@jefferyepstein9210]

You will not be disappointed

[@jumpingjeffflash9946]

I just specifically went there in early Dec. just to see this museum. It's absolutely worth the visit. Plan at least 2 solid open to close days there, 3 is best plus there's aircraft outside and a big memorial garden as well. It's just....awesome and I only learned of it about a year ago.

[@neilsolomon9149]

God bless USA. Forever. 🇺🇸

[@michaelguerin56]

Cheers. Beautiful aircraft.

[@dvmurkus]

Excellent video, Paul! Very informative, good pronunciation, smooth filming. Your storytelling enables me to travel and visit aviation museums just laying in bed. Thank you!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@catliciousoz]

Love the Connie 😍

[@geraldmiller5260]

When I was a child in the late 1950's I flew on a Connie to Germany. It was a very noisy!

[@roberttalarsky4238]

Always have liked this aircraft!!

[@roberttalarsky4238]

THANKS PAUL 👍

[@PaulStewartAviation]

you're welcome!

[@ianmc87]

Beautiful plane

[@ARTinDECAY]

Awsome video. Old aircraft are just so unique. Although it will always annoy me that there’s almost always a glass partition on every tour. Makes it seem like the interior is much more cramped plus you can’t have fun and touch anything:(

[@richardc488]

Yes we walked in that

[@gatewayz75]

Magnificent aircraft isn’t it, thanks for sharing it

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Thanks for watching!

[@lgarcia67]

Compare to AF1 now this looks like a little airplane. Amazing how much technology has changed

[@SifsSwag]

Connie, Conc, 747, F14 best looking planes ever.

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Enjoy your work, Paul, but I'm missing those flight reviews that you do so well.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Some are coming :)

[@paddyglenny]

I love that narrow doorframe you have to pass through at the bottom of the stairs. In other words, "If you're too fat to pass through this, don't bother going any further as you'll get stuck inside the plane!"

[@heathertruskinger6214]

Hi Paul. I dunno if it's because of all the Perspex walls to protect the interior, but the passenger part of the plane seems more cramped than its predecessors.🤔 I love the way you described the engines as "lazy engines", and that is the reason the propellers are so big. When I heard that, I was imagining them, lazing around, and yawning!😂 LoL

[@jefferyepstein9210]

People weren’t supersized back then

[@donmunaweera1346]

I live near there!! 🤩

[@OldmanGamerYT]

It's great to see this amazing history! Thank you for sharing!

[@ajreberjr]

Dad had a bunch of favorite planes.. D17 beechcraft .. P51 .. but he always mentioned his flight back from Korea on a Lockheed Super Connie.. it is still a very beautiful plane and I, sometimes will glimpse one from one of Hollywood's finer movies... you know.. the ones before all the CGI crap.

[@mattmc1083]

Connie's are beautiful.

[@cashmax12gaming42]

thank you

[@andrewjackson5127]

I'm not sure about the newer ones you're probably right but at the beginning of 747s there was a flight engineer in the cockpit

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep the 747 had a FE up until the 747-400 model

[@jaybee9269]

Isn’t it actually a Super Constellation? Thanks for the tour, Paul!

[@PaulStewartAviation]

What do you mean?

[@edgaraquino2324]

​@@PaulStewartAviationHello, Paul! Good video! Looks like a tight fit even when fully equipped...I believe this bird is the military version of the civilian Super Connie...

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@edgaraquino2324 yes this is the military VIP version of the Super Connie. Similar naming to the VC-137 which was the military version of the 707

[@morphix007]

voice sounds clearer than normal

[@raywhitehead730]

The US Navy f!ew various versions of the Super Constellation. There are books about this remarkable aircraft. I personally know that the US Navy aircrew, liked it very much. I flew in one as a child, passenger in the late Fifties, and as an Adult Navy Pilot knew the CO of the last Navy Squadron to fly them in Eighties. US Navy retired them out even though they were still in excellent shape. I heard that the Navy didn't want to bother getting its less common fuel any more. It was a very dependable aircraft with a good range. Some were still flying as civilian planes into the 2000's. Remarkably it was a concept of Howard Hughes.

[@kiereluurs1243]

I never regarded it beautiful, just remarkable, maybe like a bat, or a frigatebird.

[@larrynoe6162]

Sexiest airplane ever. Always loved the Connie.

[@margarita8442]

was hard to make a log on this ?

[@cdogg86]

Hey thank you so much for this video it was absolutely great to see. I can't wait to go down and see it in person. I got the very cool and short-lived privilege to fly my dad's plane right up to it right before it was put into restoration. Is there a way I could send you the picture of that?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brentsummers7377]

1:12 'CAUTION Walk-through narrows to the width of this gateway' You can't make this stuff up🤣🤣

[@Beechnut985]

Curttis electric props?

[@mjw1955]

On the first day of ground school for the connie, the instructor would tell the would be Pilots Connie that it took a real man to handle three pieces of tail.

[@michaelhayden725]

If you want to see a flying Connie come to Australia - to HARS at Shellharbour Airport (about 60 miles south of Sydney).

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yep there’s multiple videos on my channel of the HARS connie. I’m a member there :)

[@ConversationStartersVideo]

Wish I could have flown aboard a “Connie” Sigh…

[@littlelazycat]

nice

[@kyledorsty906]

I think the video of “the independence” is missing

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yes I havent got around to it as there wasnt a lot of interest expressed.

[@davidm7824]

Pretty small and simplistic compared to modern air force one.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Absolutely! Check out the Sacred Cow which is even more basic.

[@dalehall2067]

😊

[@DavidRLentz]

It was NOT "Air Force One". That is the call sign of any USAF aircraft bearing the President of the United States of America. At the time of this aircraft's service, the USAF had not implemented that reference. Years past had I walked along the aisleway. I had found it disconcertingly constricted in comparison to contemporary transportation. And I am a relatively slim person (180 cm, 70 kg).

[@markgrunzweig6377]

If the Wright engine's 'bugs" were not worked out be the time this plane was made, I doubt that they would be used on the presidential plane and have such success in passenger airline service. Ike, in fact was a pilot himself, so he wouldn't fly on an unreliable plane.

[@jimkennedy7050]

Did he have a spare plane now in the graveyard?

[@larryberglof639]

What’s with the ridiculous plexiglass partitions throughout?

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Stop people from touching and stealing stuff I guess. :(

[@nathanfugate8210]

It's a museum! It's purpose is to preserve. You can't just walk up and literally touch the Mona Lisa! Jeesh.

[@theodorejay1046]

I agree the amount of plexiglass & metal is weird but probably needed if tours are self guided.

[@billkessinger6806]

You donot "Trun Off and Engine" You " Start and Shut Down" Engines.

[@ronliebermann]

Just for the record, the President of every other country flies commercial. Is there any particular reason that the President of the U.S. needs a private plane? In a way, “Air Force One” sends the message that the government is more important than the citizens. It’s not.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Sorry, but that's just completely wrong. A simple google will show that that many, if not the majority, of countries have dedicated VIP aircraft for their leaders. Even little old Australia with a population of 24 million has VIP 737s and A330s for the PM.

[@ronliebermann]

@@PaulStewartAviation Fair enough. I stand corrected. But that still leaves the question: Why do these people need private aircraft? I don’t think they do.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@ronliebermann they travel with a lot of media (have to keep them happy), security and staff. 30 business or first class tickets on a plane probably costs as much as a private jet. Sadly security will only become more and more of a concern after events like Abe’s assassination and Pelosi’s (and maybe even pence) attempted assassination. 🤷‍♂️

[@ronliebermann]

@@PaulStewartAviation I disagree on that point as well. First of all, I think that the government often fabricates stories about “attacks”. That gives them a reason to eliminate democracy. And secondly, we don’t even have a legitimately elected government. The elections are a fraud, and the stated objectives of Washington are a fraud. We’ve got an insular communist dictatorship. Not a government. And for that reason, Washington understandably expects some resistance. So they cry “Uncle” and arm themselves against a democratic rebellion. Thirty first class tickets? It should be one economy ticket.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

@@ronliebermann OK 🤐

[@Galkac]

What happened to the airships why did air travel shrink in size we would have air cruise ships the best things in life always disappear I'm disappointed.

[@joeyoliver579]

No. The REAL Columbine is in Bristol, Virginia. The REAL AIR FORCE ONE. That one is "like" it, but it is not "THE ONE"

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Yes there is Columbine I elsewhere. As the title says, this is Columbine III. This was also a real air force one.

[@Sprucetroy69]

Super cool 😎

[@pacz8114]

...So, if I understand correctly, Ike would have bunked with the entire staff dormitory style.