Airplane To Be Headed to Bridgewater, VA Soon

The team working to restore the Lockheed Constellation Columbine II to airworthy condition is nearly ready to ferry the plane back to Bridgewater VA, where the restoration will be completed. But the team also says that the flight won't be just under an airworthiness certificate for a ferry flight. It will be able to make the trip as a certified aircraft.

The 1948 Connie (USAF SN 48-610) served as Air Force One for President Dwight Eisenhower from  1952-1954. She was the only "Air Force One" airplane to be sold by the U.S. Government.

An update posted March 12 on the team's website indicates that after a year of work by a dedicated and skilled team, "Dynamic Aviation's Columbine II is nearly ready to fly! In fact, if all continues to go well it could happen this month or at least by mid-April.
  
"According to the company's founder, Karl D. Stoltzfus Sr., this was only possible because of the on-site leadership of Dynamic's Brian Miklos and the generous contribution of others, in particular Scott Glover and his Mid-America Flight Museum, of Mt. Pleasant, TX.
  
"The team has not only prepared the aircraft for a ferry flight, they have gone to the effort of bringing it back to airworthy status and will fly it to their home base, Bridgewater Airpark, Bridgewater, VA, as a certificated aircraft. All systems have been thoroughly gone through; brakes overhauled and new tires installed; many engine accessories overhauled, and much more. At Bridgewater it will be restored to its former glory and prepared for the air show circuit."

Columbine II was mostly intact including its 2500-HP, Wright R-3350 engines and much of the original interior, instruments, avionics, and other important historical details, but was at risk of being scrapped because of the complexity and cost of preparing it for flight.

Columbine II is itself an airplane worthy of a preservation effort, but it is more than that. It represents a period in history when America was united for the good of our nation and our world - - a cause that was advanced through the integrity of those who led us. Recognizing and promoting such values inspires those who lead this preservation effort.

(Image from restoration team website)

FMI: www.john2031.com/columbine/main.html