top of page

PRESIDENT EISENHOWER'S 1955
AIR FORCE ONE

Restored, flying, and coming to an airport near you...

I_Like_Ike_button,_1952.png

History of "Ike's Bird"

"Ike's Bird" Video produced by the Aircraft Owners & Pilot's Association (AOPA).

This 1955 Aero Commander L-26B is nicknamed "Ike's Bird".  It is the smallest plane ever to be used as Air Force One.


From 1955 to 1960 it was used by the Eisenhower Administration and the White House to carry the President, Vice President, First Family and other VIP's on short distance trips.   

It's now fully restored and flying with the Commemorative Air Force.

2401p_CoverIkesBird.jpeg

Ike's Bird in the News

Ike's Bird was featured on the cover of the January, 2024 issue of AOPA Pilot Magazine.  AOPA is world's largest Pilot and Aircraft Owner's Association, with over 250,000 members.  

To read the article, click on the PDF image below:

Gallery

Click on the pictures to expand them.

Victory Flights for Veterans

Victory Flights for Veterans

Dick Belush.jpg
IMG_6866.jpg

One of the missions of the CAF’s “Ike’s Bird” is to fly veterans for free in an historic plane.  These flights are called “Victory Flights for Veterans”.

 

Victory Flights are done to honor the veterans service to the nation and our freedoms.       A unique feature of “Ike’s Bird” is its low entry door.   Only one foot off the ground, the Commander can easily accommodate wounded and disabled veterans…   men and women who otherwise have great difficulty in climbing into some of the CAF’s World War II aircraft.  

You can help by making a donation here.   

 

Thank you...

bottom of page