null
Toggle menu
Free Shipping on orders $75+ (Click for details)
Toggle menu
1-855-215-2914
Aviation Oil Outlet
Log In Create an Account Quote Request Credit Application Contact Us
View Cart Cart
loginLogin
Cart Cart

HOME OUR PRODUCTS OUR MISSION CUSTOMER SERVICE VIDEO BLOG
sun-n-fun logo
sun-n-fun countdown
Aviation Oil Outlet Aviation Oil Outlet
  • Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Application
    • Aviation Piston Engine Oils
      • Straight Grade Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Straight Grade Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Mineral Oil for Engine Break-in
      • Multi-Viscosity Ashless Engine Oil for Normal Use
      • Multi-Viscosity Grade Oil for Light Sport Aircraft
      • Aviation Oil with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Turbine Oil
    • Aviation Hydraulic Oil
    • Aerobatic Smoke Oil
    • Aviation Greases
  • Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • All Aviation Lubricants By Weight
    • Aviation Grade 65, SAE 30
      • Straight 65 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
    • Aviation Grade 80, SAE 40
      • Straight 80 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 80 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
    • Aviation Grade 100, SAE 50
      • Straight 100 Grade Mineral, Break-In Oil
      • Straight 100 Grade, Normal Operation Ashless
      • Grade 100 with Lycoming LW 16702 Additives
    • Aviation Grade 120, SAE 60
      • Grade 120 Mineral, Break-in Oil
      • Grade 120 Ashless for Normal Operation
    • Aviation Oil SAE 10w-40
    • Aviation Oil SAE 15w-50
      • Multi-Grade 15w-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 20w-50
      • Multi-Grade 20w-50 Break-In Oil
      • Multi-Grade 20W-50 Ashless for Normal Use
    • Aviation Oil SAE 25w-60
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 for Engine Break-In
      • Multi-Grade 25w-60 Ashless for Normal Use
  • Sanitary Products
  • Bookmark Our Site
  • Get Aviation Oil Outlet's FREE Web App
  • PayPal Resource Page
  • Credit Application
  • Shipping Information
  • Our Products
  • Our Mission
  • Customer Service
  • Video
  • Blog
  • Return Policy
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Quote Request
  • Terms and Conditions of Online Sales
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Terms of Use
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Shop By Brands
  • Login Create an Account
  • Blog
  • Site Map
The Flight Blog - Read Articles The Flight Blog - Read Articles
Back to Blog Homepage
Rebuilding the Very First Air Force One

Rebuilding the Very First Air Force One

By Sarah Simonovich on Mar 25th 2016

air-force-one-658420_1920

Aviation history is being remade in Bridgewater, Virginia.

While images of Air Force One landing in Cuba have taken social media by storm (it's the first president to visit Cuba since the days of Coolidge, therefore the first time Air Force One has ever been on Cuban soil), the Boeing 747-200B isn't the only presidential plane that has taken flight recently.

Today the designation of Air Force One refers to specific planes equipped to transport the President of the United States, although technically such a title can be used to describe any Air Force aircraft carrying the Commander-in-Chief. 

Why Air Force One?

While Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first president to fly in an aircraft while in office, it was during Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency when the president's plane earned a specific designation-a very near-miss collision occurred in 1953 between the president's plane and another from Eastern Airlines with the same flight number. -Air Force One- was then born as a means to differentiate it from every other plane-staring in 1953 but not -officially- until 1962. Col. William Draper is credited with the moniker.

That presidential plane was a 1948 Lockheed Constellation named Columbine II.

And until recently, that plane was parked in the desert.

Columbine II -First Air Force One Facebook

One man's Air Force One is another man's junk is another man's treasure.

How exactly does a former US President-bearing airplane find its way into the Arizona desert?

When the plane was decommissioned in the late sixties, it, like many decommissioned planes, was sold as surplus for parts. And while attempts were made to restore the aircraft and its appeal to aviation enthusiast, it was a no go. And where do dead-end planes go? The desert.

Boneyards are where aircraft go when there's no use for them-either because they've been decommissioned or they are simply on standby for when they are needed. This means that some are given the Lazarus treatment and brought back to life with a little (or a lot of) TLC.

For 16 years the Columbine II waited patiently in the Arizona desert heat. Now the Constellation is getting the chance to fly across the sky again.

On March 19, 2016 at 12:28pm, Columbine II took to the sky after over a year of preparation. Spearheading the restoration of this Connie is Karl Stoltzfus of Dynamic Restoration and his team. Stoltzfus purchased the plane and spent over a year putting her back together again.

From Marana, Arizona, the crew flew her to Mount Pleasant, Texas, on Monday (March 21) in collaboration with the Mid America Flight Museum. On Wednesday (March 23), the historic plane made its flight to its new home in Bridgewater, Virginia, where Stoltzfus will spend the next several years fully restoring the Connie to its former glory. Once restoration is complete, the Columbine II will serve as an education tool.

The First Air Force One is the only privately-owned presidential aircraft. According to historian Farris Rookstoll III, from an interview with North Texas station WFAA, all other former air Force One planes are in the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, and the Ronald Regan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Without Karl Stoltzfus's intervention, it's likely that this historic plane would have been lost to the annals of aviation history.

The life cycle of the Columbine II begs us to consider our duties as American citizens and the preservation of our own history.
  
For more information on the history of all Air Force One designated planes, head on over to the White House Museum.

For photos, video, personal accounts, and more information on the Columbine II's journey, check out the Facebook pages for First Air Force One, Dynamic Aviation, and Mid America Flight Museum.

 

  • #Aviation History
  • #Air Force One
  • #Aircraft
  • #airplane
  • #aviation
  • #Boeing 747
  • #Collumbine II
  • #Government
  • #History
  • #Lockheed Constellation
  • #sarah simonovich

You might also be interested in:


Newsletter | May 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on May 5th 2022

Another Year in the Books! Sun 'N Fun 22 Edition
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | April 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Apr 8th 2022

AeroShell Aviation Grease Grease 5 amber colored, high temperature grease composed of a…
monthly newsletter
Newsletter | March 2022
by Aviation Oil Outlet on Mar 4th 2022

Recommendations for Infrequently Flown Aircraft Ideally, aircraft engines should be use…
monthly newsletter
!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates on new products and upcoming sales

aoo logo
Aviation Oil Outlet
454 South Main Street
Wilkes Barre, PA 18703
United States of America

1-855-215-2914

Information

  • About Us
  • Brands
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Newsletter Signup
  • Online Shopping Security
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shipping Information
  • Terms & Conditions of Online Sales
  • Terms of Use
  • Video Library

Customer Service

  • Contact
  • Credit Application
  • Quote Request
  • Returns
  • Sitemap

Account

  • Account
  • Cart
  • Checkout
  • Order History

© 2022 Aviation Oil Outlet

payment method icons Bizrate
​