N9463 / 48-0610 ¦ SAF 14.10.1995
Lockheed VC-121A (L.749) Constellation (c/n 2602)
Columbine II Inc.
Santa Fe-Municipal (SAF/KSAF)
14 October 1995
And this is "Columbine II", captured basking in the sun at Sante Fe in immaculate condition, after restoration to flying condition by Harry Oliver and Mel Christler during 1989-1990, and using spare parts of sistership N608AS, including the three white fin rudders!
Built for the USAF as C-121A 48-0610, it became a VC-121A by 1949, and was flying VIP missions for the USAF. Between 1952 and 1954 it served as presidential transport "Columbine II" for Dwight D. Eisenhower, becoming the first USAF aircraft to use the "Air Force One" call-sign. When a newer VC-121E took over in 1954, 48-0610 became a backup presidential aircraft. After being briefly leased out to Pan Am and the Government of Thailand in 1955, it returned to the USAF and was eventually stored at Davis Monthan in 1968.
In 1970 it was acquired by Christler Flying Service as N9463 as a spares source for other aircraft in their fleet. After successful restoration, Columbine II was parked at Santa Fe for a few years, and then operated on the US airshow circuit. In 2016 it was acquired by Dynamic Aviation and flown to Bridgewater, VA, where it is now preserved.
N9463 / 48-0610 ¦ SAF 14.10.1995
Lockheed VC-121A (L.749) Constellation (c/n 2602)
Columbine II Inc.
Santa Fe-Municipal (SAF/KSAF)
14 October 1995
And this is "Columbine II", captured basking in the sun at Sante Fe in immaculate condition, after restoration to flying condition by Harry Oliver and Mel Christler during 1989-1990, and using spare parts of sistership N608AS, including the three white fin rudders!
Built for the USAF as C-121A 48-0610, it became a VC-121A by 1949, and was flying VIP missions for the USAF. Between 1952 and 1954 it served as presidential transport "Columbine II" for Dwight D. Eisenhower, becoming the first USAF aircraft to use the "Air Force One" call-sign. When a newer VC-121E took over in 1954, 48-0610 became a backup presidential aircraft. After being briefly leased out to Pan Am and the Government of Thailand in 1955, it returned to the USAF and was eventually stored at Davis Monthan in 1968.
In 1970 it was acquired by Christler Flying Service as N9463 as a spares source for other aircraft in their fleet. After successful restoration, Columbine II was parked at Santa Fe for a few years, and then operated on the US airshow circuit. In 2016 it was acquired by Dynamic Aviation and flown to Bridgewater, VA, where it is now preserved.