Our Presidents Fly High in Style

The name “Air Force One” is used to describe the airplane on which the president flies. Regardless of whether he is aboard a VC-137 (Boeing 747) or a VC-140 (Lockheed Jetstar), it is Air Force One as long as the president is aboard. When Richard Nixon resigned from office, the airplane ceased to be Air Force One at the moment his resignation became official and became simply Special Air Missions (SAM) 27000.

Air Force One has a venerable history.

Although presidents dating back to Theodore Roosevelt had flown on airplanes, their official airplanes began in 1945 with the "Sacred Cow," (VC-54C / C-54 Skymaster / DC-4). She served Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman during World War II and the Korean War and carried Franklin Roosevelt across the Atlantic Ocean, to the Yalta Conference in 1945.

“Sacred Cow”

Photo Credit: National Museum of the United States Air Force

The "Independence" (VC-118 / DC-6) was used by Harry Truman, who named the plane after his hometown in Missouri.

“The Independence”

Photo Credit: National Museum of the United States Air Force

The "Columbine I, II, and III" (VC-121 / Lockheed Constellation) were used by Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower.

“Columbine III”

Photo Credit: National Museum of the United States Air Force

“SAM 970” through “SAM 972” (VC-137B / Boeing 707) served Dwight Eisenhower. They were painted white with red and black trim colors. When "SAM 26000" and "SAM 27000" (VC-137C / Boeing 707) were introduced during the Kennedy administration, Mrs. Kennedy did not think that livery looked very presidential. She took a design by Raymond Loewy, removed the red and black trim and gave it its shades of blue in the theme we know as Air Force One today. “SAM 26000” and “SAM 27000” served every president from John Kennedy to Bill Clinton.

“SAM 26000”

Photo Credit: U.S. Air Force photo, public domain via Wikimedia Commons

"SAM 28000" and "SAM 29000" (VC-25 / Boeing 747) entered service in 1990 and have served every president from George W. Bush to Joe Biden.

“SAM 28000”

Photo Credit: Kevin McCarthy, public domain via Wikimedia Commons

Currently, a new and updated variation on the Boeing 747 is being developed to replace SAM 28000 and 29000. Some debate existed during Donald Trump’s administration about changing the livery to one that closely resembled that of his private Boeing 757. Faithfulness to history prevailed, however, and the latest word is that it will bear the same blue color scheme that has adorned every presidential aircraft since John Kennedy’s administration – as well it should, in this writer’s opinion.

So, there, we have it! Our presidents go off into the wild blue yonder in style. The accoutrements, both avionic-related and décor-related, change not only from aircraft to aircraft, but also can be updated from year to year.

It is good that all retired presidential aircraft are being preserved at the National Museum of the US Air Force. After all, they are a part of our American history.