Original Air Force 1 (Page 2): Bit of Trivia: The Connie was a plane that did not take off nor land. All they did was raise or lower the wheels. (To explain why one had to climb up...

Stephan G

Bit of Trivia: The Connie was a plane that did not take off nor land. All they did was raise or lower the wheels. (To explain why one had to climb up, then down, ALL those steps!)

badapple Loc: Twin Lake, Michigan

I remember seeing a Constellation sitting in the middle of 63rd street and Cicero Avenue in Chicago. It could not stop before the runway ended at Midway Airport, went through the fence and into the street. No one injured as I recall. I think the problem was failed brakes.

singleshot Loc: Georgia

ghbowser wrote:

Visited Dynamic Aviation in Bridgewater, Virginia as part of a Project Healing Waters event.They had the hanger with the original Air Force 1 open. It was first used by President Eisenhower. It was restored enough for flight in Arizona then flown to Bridgewater where is going through a complete restoration to original condition. Pics with either cell phone or canon powershot A710. Wasn't sure if pictures would be allowed so did not have the big cameras.

Beautiful old girl, logged a few hours in a 121 myself. She was a terrific aircraft. Thanks for the memories, great shots.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

My brother workered for TCA (Air Canada today), I remember him bringing home small metal models, about 3 - 4 inches long.
Somewhere in that area there is a static display of one, I need to find out where. Found a picture on line of it.

My much older brother fueling a Coni, must be mid to late 50's.

Stock photo fly over Toronto, 1954,

Tukwila, Washington. MUSEUM OF FLIGHT.
Tukwila, Washington. MUSEUM OF FLIGHT....

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

PhotoPhred wrote:

Absolutely !!!

Did anyone other than TWA and Ike ever fly the plane? Memory very hazy at age 76.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

Alafoto wrote:

Did anyone other than TWA and Ike ever fly the plane? Memory very hazy at age 76.

Well, had I read on a bit, I'd have answered my own question.

kufengler Loc: Meridian, Idaho 83646

Alafoto wrote:

Did anyone other than TWA and Ike ever fly the plane? Memory very hazy at age 76.

There were quite a few: Trans Canada Airlines, British Overseas Airlines, Royal Dutch Airlines, Nordair, Qantas, Air France, Air India International.... some I found.

Trans World Airlines may have been the largest user.

PhotoPhred Loc: Cheyney, Pa

They were so sleek looking. When I was a kid in the 1950's near Philly Pa, sometimes my dad would take us to the airport to watch the planes (back before TSA days) from the rooftop observation area. I remember when the Boing 707 came out, and we went to see one at the airport, it looked huge next to the Constellation. I still think the "Connie" is still the prettiest commercial airplane.

vonzip Loc: cape cod

When I was 10 I traveled from California (Travis AFB) to the Philippines (Clark AFB) with a stop in Hawaii in one of these, then called a C-121, nicked named Mr. 3 tails. A big adventure at the time.

izziadog

Agreed....arguably....

Stephan G

The last 2 flying?

https://liveandletsfly.com/airworthy-lockheed-super-constellation/

trapper1 Loc: Southside Virginia

I believe the first Air Force One was the converted C-54 named "The Sacred Cow" which was in use as the presidential plane during Harry Truman's presidency. I remember seeing a picture of The Sacred Cow on the tarmac at the famous meeting between President Truman and General MacArthur when President Truman cashiered MacArthur for insubordination.

Alafoto Loc: Montgomery, AL

kufengler wrote:

There were quite a few: Trans Canada Airlines, British Overseas Airlines, Royal Dutch Airlines, Nordair, Qantas, Air France, Air India International.... some I found.

Trans World Airlines may have been the largest user.

Should have read to the end if the thread before posting question.

Buckeye Loc: Dayton, OH.

trapper1 wrote:

I believe the first Air Force One was the converted C-54 named "The Sacred Cow" which was in use as the presidential plane during Harry Truman's presidency. I remember seeing a picture of The Sacred Cow on the tarmac at the famous meeting between President Truman and General MacArthur when President Truman cashiered MacArthur for insubordination.

The Sacred Cow was FDR's presidential plane. It had an elevator that came diwn from t he belly of the plane to load Roosevelt in his wheelchair. It is on display at The museum at Wright Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio.

AirWalter Loc: Tipp City, Ohio

Dannj wrote:

We visited the Reagan AF One on display at the museum in Simi Valley, CA. I’m not sure what I expected but it’s safe to say I was “underwhelmed”. It was very cramped and purely functional in design. I suspect today’s versions have been upgraded a bit😊

Quite a bit!