First Air Force One Decaying in Arizona
- 11 years ago
The US’s first presidential plane to be officially called Air Force One is in search of a new place to call home and is not in great condition.
Air Force One, the official plane of the US President, is an important part of American history.
The first presidential plane to be officially called Air Force One is in search of a new place to call home.
It is reportedly also in fairly desperate need of a major overhaul.
Back in the day it was the official air vehicle of President Eisenhower and named Columbine 2 after the flower of the first lady’s home state.
Now, privately owned, it sits in Arizona unshielded from the elements and reportedly decaying in the sun.
The plane was retired from presidential use in 1959 and from VIP transportation in 1968.
That was the beginning of the tough times for the aircraft. Eventually, and possibly accidentally, it was put up for auction and landed in the hands of its current owner.
In 1980 it was identified by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum as a former presidential plane, and was revamped and even flown in a few air shows in the early 1990’s. Soon after however, she was parked and forgotten again.
Air Force One, the official plane of the US President, is an important part of American history.
The first presidential plane to be officially called Air Force One is in search of a new place to call home.
It is reportedly also in fairly desperate need of a major overhaul.
Back in the day it was the official air vehicle of President Eisenhower and named Columbine 2 after the flower of the first lady’s home state.
Now, privately owned, it sits in Arizona unshielded from the elements and reportedly decaying in the sun.
The plane was retired from presidential use in 1959 and from VIP transportation in 1968.
That was the beginning of the tough times for the aircraft. Eventually, and possibly accidentally, it was put up for auction and landed in the hands of its current owner.
In 1980 it was identified by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum as a former presidential plane, and was revamped and even flown in a few air shows in the early 1990’s. Soon after however, she was parked and forgotten again.