The Northern Neck – Middle Peninsula chapter of the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society will hold a program on the first Air Force One when it meets for its monthly luncheon meeting next Thursday.
The buffet lunch program at the Pilot House Restaurant, Topping, begins with a meet-and-greet at 11:30 a.m., followed by lunch at noon and the program at 12:30 p.m.
Chapter member Tom Duke will give a talk with pictures about the original Air Force One and the SAM fleet, including Lockheed’s Constellation “Connies” planes and Boeing 707s that flew President Dwight D. Eisenhower around the country and the world.
A 1948 version of the Lockheed Constellation, Tail Number 80610, has been resurrected from the scrap dump and is in Bridgewater, Virginia awaiting funds to repair the whole aircraft for display and perhaps for flying. The project is running short of funds and one of Eisenhower’s granddaughters, who as a 4-year-old often flew aboard 80610, is assisting in raising money. Duke actual...