CHRISTENING OF THE PRESIDENTS PLANE, C0LUMBINE III Part 2

Description

Summary: The christening of President Eisenhower's plane, "Columbine III", at National Airport, Washington, D.C., 24 November 1954. Standing by are Mrs. Eisenhower, Maj. Gen. Charles I. Carpenter, Air Force Chief of Chaplains, Secretary of the Air Force Harold E. Talbott and the "Columbine's" commander, Lt. Col. William G. Draper. Eisenhower arrives after the christening and is greeted by British field Marshal Montgomery. 1) CU nose of the C-121 Super Constellation. The name of the plane can be seen: THE COLUMBINE III. In small letters underneath the pilot's window is the lettering: Aircraft Commander, Lt. Col. William G. Draper. This is President Eisenhower's new plane, which was christened by Mrs. Eisenhower at National Airport, Washington, D.C., 24 Nov. 1954. 2) MS platform at side of planes nose -- fg can be seen Sec'y of Air Talbott, Maj. Gen. Charles I. Carpenter, Chief of Chaplains of the Air Force, Mrs. Eisenhower, and Col. Draper, the aircraft commander. Gen. Carpenter and other officers are saluting, Sea of Air Talbott has hat over heart. 3) MDS group of officers can be seen saluting -- among these are Field Marshal Montgomery. 4) MS platform at side of president's plane, Gen. Carpenter saluting, finishes salute, general and Sec'y of Air Talbott turn to Mrs. Eisenhower. 5) Gen. Carpenter talking over microphones on platform, Mr. Talbott, Mrs. Eisenhower, and unidentified officer with heads bowed -- champagne bottle covered with straw is handed up to Col. Draper on the platform who in turn hands it to Mrs. Eisenhower, who speaks over microphone and then breaks bottle on side of aircraft. Champagne sprays out, Mrs. Eisenhower blinks eyes, Sec'y of Air Talbott hands Mrs. Eisenhower handkerchief and she rubs face and coat. She is then helped down steps from platform by Sec'y of Air Talbott. 6) MLS SV steps leading up to doorway of C-121. The steps are covered by a canopy, many newsmen and officials stand around bottom of steps. 7) LS guard standing at attention, crowds behind guards watching the ceremony. 8) MDS president's car arrives at plane, president steps out on far side of car, is greeted by Field Marshal Montgomery camera pans left to show president and entourage walking over to steps of plane and boarding plane. 9) LS steps being pulled away from plane and plane doors closed. SLATE: CAMERAMAN. BILLINGS, 24 NOV 54. DEDICATION OF COLUMBINE AT NATIONAL AIRPORT. 10) A series of MS's showing the interior of the president's plane, including the seats, the kitchen in the plane, toasters, coffee-maker, soup-warmer and other equipment, aerial and navigation equipment and pilot's compartment. 11) CU EXT showing Mrs. Eisenhower, Sec'y of Air Talbott standing to her left -- Sec'y of Air Talbott escorts Mrs. Eisenhower up the steps into aircraft. 12) INT LS 1/4 FV of Columbine III, Air Force C-121 super Constellation, which is the president's aircraft. 13) MS FV Pres. Eisenhower being greeted by Field Marshal Montgomery and walking from R to L to planets steps. 14) CU Pres. Eisenhower talking to Field Marshal Montgomery. 15) LS Pres. Eisenhower climbing steps to aircraft door. 16) LS past crowd of people showing the Columbine III taxiing from R to L. SLATE: CAMERAMAN: BILLINGS, 24 NOV 54. 17) LS Mrs. Eisenhower arrives at airport, gets out or car, walks up platform to Columbine III. 18) MLDS showing Air Force Band playing. 19) LS direct SV christening of the Columbine III by Mrs. Eisenhower. 20) MS U.S. Air Force band. 21) MS Field Marshal Montgomery and Sec'y of Air Talbott conversing bear the Columbine III. 22) MS direct FV Mrs. Eisenhower gets out of car and is greeted by Field Marshal Montgomery. 23) MPS Sec'y of Air Talbott, Mrs. Eisenhower, and Col. Draper, the aircraft commander, waiting R to L towards nose of Columbine III, the president1s aircraft. They are met in front of steps by Gen. Carpenter, Chief of Chaplains of the Air Force -- they walk up the steps to top of platform. 24) MUS showing Mrs. Eisenhower christening the Columbine III. fair (Basic: Orig. Neg.)

Collection

Records of U.S. Air Force Commands, Activities, and Organizations

Series

Moving Images Relating to Military Aviation Activities