A Special Lockheed Connstellation
The First Airplane to use the call sign
Air Force One - Constellation s/n 48-0610
Lockheed VC-121A, Named Colmbine II


Homepage added 11/08/24, Last updated 12/28/24. If you find errors, or have questions please email at at westin@westin553.net and let me know.


URL for this The First Air Force One page is: https://www.westin553.net/batcat41.htm

Franklin Roosevelt was the first sitting president of the U.S. to use an airplane to travel. Perhaps he his best known when President Roosevelt used a Boeing 314 flying boat to travel to the Casablanca conference to meet with other allied leaders. The airplane was owned by the U.S. Navy, known as the B-314, civil registered as NC18605, named the Dixie Clipper flown by a Pan American Airways crew. President Roosevelt used one other airplane, one time, Douglas VC-54C USAAF serial number 42-107451 (see below). Neither of these airplanes used the call sign "Air Force One."

With President Roosevelt's death he was succeeded as President by Harry Truman. President Truman first used the Douglas VC-54C (DC-4) Skymaster named "Sacred Cow" for travel. Later President Truman used Douglas VC-118 (DC-6) Liftmaster named "Independence" USAF serial number 46-505. During missions with the in office President aboard no special call sign was used, rather the call sign used was the aircraft serial number.

The first airplane to use the call sign "Air Force One" came about due to confusion with call signs. In May 1954 President Dwight Eisenhower took a flight on USAF VC-121A serial number 48-0610. As the flight continued the USAF pilot checked in with Richmond Air Traffic Control as Air Frce 8610. At the same time Eastern Air Lines flight 8610 checked in with Richmond air traffic control. The air traffic controler confused Air Force 8610 and Eastern Air Lines 8610 thinking they were one airplane. If both airplanes had been given permission to fly the same route or land on the same runway tragety would have occurred. Fortunately there was no colision. Air traffic control had no idea that the President of the U.S. was flying on one of the airplanes. Shortly air traffic control got things straightened out both aircraft landed safely.

To avoid a similar problem from occurring in the future the Secret Service and the Presidential staff originated the idea that anytime the President of the U.S. was flying, the aircraft he or she was flying in would use the call Sign "Air Force One."

The story above about how and why the call sign Air Force One originated was from Mary Jean Eisenhower granddaughter of Presiden Dwight Eisenhower. At this time in VC-121A Coumbinee II is the only Post WWII presidental airplane not in a museum. May Jean Eisenhower is a director of the My Thanks to Mary Jean Eisehower via Charlotte Clinger for sending me the information. First Air Force One information added 11/08/24, Last updated 12/28/24.

After President Eisenhower begain using the
Lockheed Super Constellation VC-121E USAF 53-7885

After VC-121A s/n 48-0610 completed its service for President Eisenhower the USAF downgraded the deisnation from VC-121A to C-121A, the USAF retired the airplane from USAF service in 1968. C-121A was later sent to the "Bone Yard" during 1968 at Davis Monthan AFB for salvage. The airplane was in the "Bone Yard" for years until it was put up for sale, along with 4 other Constellations.

Four of the five Constellations were brought up to flying status, while 48-0610 was used for spare parts. In 1980 the Smithsonian contacted the owner to let him know thatt 48-0610 was the first Air Force One. The owner decided to return 48-0610 to airworthy.

The airplane was made airworthy and flown for a time, then parked in Arizona and displayed. Hot Arizona sun began deterating the sitting airplane. In 2016 a group got together to form the Air Force One.org to fully restore the airplane. Dynamic Aviation at Bridgewater, VA selected as the prime contactor to perform the restoration. VC-121A 48-0610 was flown from Arizona to Bridgewater, VA so work could begin.


The photograph of Constellation USAF s/n 48-0610 was taken August 2, 2016, by Ralph Petersen. My Thanks to Ralph Petersen for prtmission for use of this image,

Your Help Needed to complete the Restoration

Donations are needed to complete the restoration see URL Donate to restore VC-121A 48-0610 Restoration is planned to bring the inerior up the same standard in place when flown as "Air Force One" for President Eisenhower, including the interior.

Check here to view the Leadership Team who are heading up the project

Check here to view the Air Force One site The First Air Force One site is recommended - there are many historic and current images to view.





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