Even though Trump may never fly on the new aircraft, he has been heavily involved in the order and design. A new livery?Īnother major change with the VC-25B aircraft could be the livery. We have yet to see what the aircraft will look like inside, but some reports suggest that President Trump has called for a more lavish interior – and larger beds. Plenty more will follow, including communications and defense systems, medical and catering facilities, and a full interior refit. The superpanels contain structural upgrades and cutouts for the VC-25B lower lobe doors, including internal airstairs for mission requirements.” “The first phase of aircraft modification involves cutting out large skin and structure areas in both the forward and aft lower lobes of the aircraft and then installing two newly manufactured superpanels. They are placed in the guest area at the rear of the aircraft, a tradition that began when Kennedy’s body was flown back after the assassination.Īccording to the US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, the first modifications to be made include: The aircraft also traditionally transport the caskets of former Presidents for state funerals.The British Queen and Prime Minister David Cameron has also both been guests within the US. This includes Nixon taking the Soviet premier Brezhnev with him in 1973. Presidents have invited other leaders to travel with them.It was later explained that there was fear of attack if it landed again at Washington. It remained airborne whilst all other air traffic was grounded, landing to refuel and for the President to address the nation before taking off again. On September 11st 2001, Air Force One took off with the President shortly after it was clear what was happening.Of course, over the past 30 years, the two VC-25A aircraft have flown plenty of domestic and international missions. President Franklin Roosevelt used this once, in 1945, to attend the Yalta Conference in the Soviet Union, for discussions regarding the postwar situation in Europe. The first aircraft that was approved was a modified Douglas C-54 Skymaster, nicknamed the ‘Sacred Cow.’ It was officially called 'The Flying White House ' but earned its nickname due to the security surrounding it. The first proposed aircraft was a modified C-87 Liberator Express aircraft, called the ‘Guess Where II.’ This operated until 1945 and carried several VIP passengers, including the First Lady, but was not deemed safe enough for Presidential transport. The idea of a dedicated Presidential aircraft, operated by the US military, came about in 1943. Introducing dedicated Presidential transport He flew to Morocco in 1943 on a Pan American World Airways crewed Boeing 314. Franklin Roosevelt became the first serving President to fly (according to the National Museum of the US Air Force). Flights, when they did happen, were with commercial aircraft. Before the Second World War, Presidential air travel was rare.
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