USAFNM Presidential Aircraft - April 28th, 2012
Lockheed VC-140B Jetstar flew 1961-87
Douglas VC-54C Sacred Cow first purpose POTUS aircraft
VC-140B carried Nixon, Ford, Carter & Reagan
Overlook the wing to Special Air Mission (SAM)26000
Cockpit of FDR's VC-54C
FDR flew in the Sacred Cow only once before his death
Special elevator brought FDR up into the aircraft
Beech VC-6A took LBJ between Austin & Johnson City
NA T-39A Sabreliner was stationed in Austin for LBJ
Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 was a 707 built in 1962
Kennedy did not name his aircraft - Air Force One began
SAM 26000 became the backup when 27000 arrived in 1972
Kennedy had the aircraft painting in striking blue & white
With UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and US flag on the tail
Cockpit of SAM 26000, a Boeing 707
8 presidents rode in the aircraft: Kennedy, Johnson, . . .
Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush-41 and Clinton
LBJ was sworn in on 26000 after JFK's assassination
26000 was retired at the museum in May, 1998
26000 provided 36 years of service w/13,000+ flying hours
Douglas VC-118 Independence (DC-6)
Commissioned in 1947 and named for Truman's hometown
Presidential aircraft for 6 years, retired for display in 1965
Cockpit of the Douglas VC-118
View of F-100D Super Sabre over the VC-118's wings
This F-100D flew with Thunderbirds 1964-68
Retired from service in 1977 & repainted a Thunderbird
4 tails visible on the back wall of the Presidential hanger
American Helicopter Co. XH-26 Jet Jeep pulsejet
Aircraft engine starter truck common during 1920-30's
Lockheed VC-121E military version Constellation
Only VC-121E built, was Ike's personal airplane 1954-61
Presidential aircraft until Ike left office in Jan. 1961
It transported officials & dignitaries until retired in 1966
Look down at Aero Commander U-4B, Ike's short trip A/C
1st presidential A/C w/2 engines and blue&white scheme
Get a high view of Truman's nearby VC-118
Walk through Eisenhower's Constellation
Ike is cozy inside in glass partioned conference area
President Eisenhower's Constellation cockpit
Near: Nixon-Reagan A/C; Back: FDR & Truman's A/C
Exit Eisenhower's Constellation
View of Constellation's patriotic propellers
Mamie named it Columbine after Colorado's state flower
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin B-36 parasite fighter
Testing lasted 1945-59, canceled, aerial refueling better
Avro Canada VZ-9AV Avrocar supersonic VTOL fighter
USAF took over the expensive project in 1958
Wind tunnel tests at Moffett Field, CA proved the aircraft was aerodynamically unstable & was canceled in 1961
Final photo while walking next door to the R&D Hanger