Probably the most elegant, curvaceous propliner ever built, this Connie flew President Dwight Eisenhower in the latter half of his presidency.

Ike had been previous served by two C-121A Constellations; VC-121A "Columbine I" when he was Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and then VC-121A "Columbine II", which became the first true "Air Force One" when the call sign was introduced in 1954 after a new midair collision between Columbine and another passenger plane sharing the same call sign.

Columbine III started life originally intended as a R7V-1 for the US Navy. The L-1049B was modified on the assembly line with square windows instead of the eight round portholes of the Navy Connie, and a VIP interior which included a galley, desks, chairs, and some of the first modern comforts for Eisenhower- a telex machine, and a television set. Columbine III entered service in mid 1955 and continued with Ike's presidency until he left office in January 1961. She was then replaced by a Boeing 707 jet, as the VC-137. Columbine continued to fly as a VIP transport until being retired and flown to the NMUSAF in 1966 and placed on display.