Ike’s Bird Heads to Florida with the CAF Tampa Bay Wing
Lakeland, Fla. (February 27, 2025) - The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Tampa Bay Wing has recently welcomed a new addition to its fleet—an L-26B Aero Commander, famously known as Ike's Bird. President Dwight D. Eisenhower used this 1955 aircraft for short trips around Washington, D.C. Notably, the L-26 is the smallest aircraft ever to carry the Air Force One call sign.
When President Eisenhower took office, he declined to use Independence, President Harry Truman’s Air Force One, opting instead for a Lockheed Constellation as his primary aircraft. However, for short trips to and from his farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he needed an aircraft capable of operating from the property’s short and unimproved grass airstrip. At the time, helicopters were not yet reliable enough, and traveling by car caused traffic delays. Eisenhower instructed his chief pilot, Col. William Draper, to find a suitable aircraft to meet his need– an airplane that could efficiently handle short trips, including frequent travel to his farm.
Draper chose one of the most popular executive transport aircraft of the day—the Aero Commander 560A. The U.S. Air Force subsequently ordered several for the President’s use, designating them as the L-26. Eisenhower, a pilot himself, was advised not to fly, but he likely took the controls of the Aero Commander occasionally, enjoying the opportunity to fly.
Six L-26 aircraft were initially acquired for White House operations. They were used exclusively by President Eisenhower, Vice President Richard Nixon, Cabinet members, government officials, Secret Service personnel, family members, and White House staff. The aircraft now assigned to the CAF Tampa Bay Wing, serial number 55-4638, was one of these original six.
After it retired from government service, Ike’s Bird was purchased at auction in 1997 by a private owner, Scott Main of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Over the years, he meticulously restored the aircraft to its original White House configuration. In 2019, the Commemorative Air Force acquired the aircraft, ensuring its legacy would continue to be preserved and shared with the public.
The CAF Tampa Bay Wing is excited to bring this historic aircraft to its base at Lakeland Linder International Airport, where it will be housed in the SUN 'n FUN hangars. The Unit plans to display Ike’s Bird at airshows and other aviation events, offering the public the chance to see—and even fly in—a former Air Force One.
Follow the Tampa Bay Wing’s Facebook page @CAFTampaBay for updates on Ike’s Bird’s arrival. Don’t miss your opportunity to see this truly unique piece of presidential history!
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