Columbine II

Overview

Columbine II is a Lockheed VC-121A-LO Constellation (Air Force Serial Number 48-8610, Lockheed Model 749–79–36); the aircraft that was to become the first plane to use the Air Force One callsign and the only presidential aircraft ever sold to a private party. The aircraft was ferried from long-term storage in the Sonoran Desert at Marana Regional Airport, Arizona, to the east coast for restoration in March 2016. The aircraft was ordered and named by U.S. President Eisenhower, it was named Columbine II because he had earlier flown on Constellation named Columbine when he was General. It became the first Air Force One, when the President was aboard after a near miss due to confusion with callsigns.