US Air Force C-121 48-613 participated in the Berlin Airlift before conversion to a VC-121A. It was General Douglas MacArthur's VIP transport christened "Bataan" in the 50s. Retired in 1966, it was transferred to NASA as N422NA to support of Apollo space program. To the US Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, AL in 1970 and on to the Planes of Fame Museum in 1993. The aircraft was restored during 2016 - 23.

Tucking it's wheels away on departure on 29th July.

Making a spectacular entrance at AirVenture 2023 after a technical delay.

Lockheed VC-121A registered as Nasa-422 and used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space centre, Greenbelt, MD, USA as support for the Apollo lunar program. Previously used as the VIP transport for General MacArthur from 1952 to 1953. Seen here around 1966/7 probably at Baltimore's Friendship Airport now Baltimore / Washington - International Thurgood Marshall (KBWI / BWI). Scanned from an original reproduced photograph from my collection, date, and photographer unknown.

The beautiful Constellation (ex USAF 48-613) takes flight once more. After an exhaustive 7.5 year restoration program, the ex-MacArthur "Bataan" VC-121 seen here on it's 7th post restoration flight. It is planned to attend the Oshkosh 2023 event later this month.

Restoration is not complete yet. Hope to see it flying again.

This classic airliner 'Bataan' is now on display outside the Planes of Fame Museum at Valle.

The cockpit of General MacArthur's VIP Constellation which he used during the Korean War. The complete aircraft is preserved at Valle AZ.

During my visit, I thought this cabin was original. I later found out that NASA had stripped out the interior and that it had been completely restored in 1994. Sold to Lewis Air Legends and aircraft is being restored and being made airworthy in 2018 at Chino Airport.

The interior of this aircraft was completely restored in 1994 in Addison, TX. This photo looks forward towards the cockpit.

This aircraft, named Bataan, was the personal aircraft of General Douglas McArthur during the early 1950's. After retirement from the USAF in 1966, it flew with NASA as NASA422 and later N422NA until 1969 when it was flown to the US Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama. It was purchased by the Planes of Fame Museum in 1994 and completely restored. Acquired by Lewis Air Legends and flown to Chino, CA in January 2016. Lewis plans on putting the aircraft on the airshow circuit after completion of a comprehensive restoration at Chino.