Marine One / HMX-1 Zippo Lighter, presidential helo, Welcome Aboard brochure For Sale
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Rare Carter- era presidential memorabilia and Marine Corps militaria. Zippo lighter (with presidential seal on one side and Marine One emblem on the reverse) and the Welcome Aboard brochure are both late 1970’s originals (not reproductions) that were gifts /mementos provided to VIP guests flying aboard executive transport “white top” helicopters operated by the Executive Flight Detachment of HMX-1 (US Marine Corps helicopter squadron at Quantico, VA). The detachment exclusively provides helicopter support to the president, vice president and foreign dignitaries. When the president is onboard, the call sign for the aircraft is Marine One. I am the original owner of these items which were given to me in the detachment hanger at Quantico in 1979 by a fellow marine who was assigned to the detachment. Both items were removed from one of VH-1N aircraft in the fleet. The lighter is Zippo classic regular windproof model. Condition is good—I used it on a daily basis for about a year when I was on active duty before I archived it. It has scratches, some dings and general pocket wear and tear. The zippo box pictured is not original. The brochure is 12 semi-glossy pages plus cardstock cover wrap, 4”x9” stapled on the spine is in very good condition but is NOT “like new”.
