In 1953, President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower crafted a plan to end the Korean War aboard the first-ever Air Force One, an overhauled Lockheed C-121 Constellation aircraft named Columbine II. Sixty years later, it was abandoned and rusting until aeronautical entrepreneur Karl Stoltzfus decided to restore it. Columbine II played a significant role in Eisenhower’s presidency, revolutionizing presidential diplomacy. Stoltzfus purchased the plane for $1.5 million in 2015 and embarked on a challenging restoration journey. Today, a team meticulously works on the restoration, aiming to complete the project for $12 million. This unique endeavor honors history and showcases American ingenuity.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/first-air-force-one