Gilmer, TX — An Aero Commander 685 arrived at Fox Stephens Field at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, fresh from Cheyenne, Wy., where Harold “Chris” Christensen had ridden with Steve Dean to teach the new owner some of the quirks of the latest additon to the Flight of the Phoenix Museum at the Gilmer airport. A deputation of Chamber of Commerce representatives, including president Miriam Hill and museum members and friends, greeted the new arrivals.
“When the new Aero Commander settles in at Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum, our little Air Force One will be one of only two examples flying in the US that will campaign at various public events throughout the Southwest, promoting Gilmer and the mission of Flight of the Phoenix Aviation Museum,” Dean said.
Dean is making reference to the plane used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower on short hauls, such as to Camp David when he was in office 1952 to 1960. Dean previously had acquired a red-and-white Aero Commander, but it could no longer be flown because of a lack of available parts.
Ike’s Air Force One-type plane joins air museum collection Read more: The Gilmer Mirror – Ike s Air Force One type plane joins Gilmer air museum collection