The Boeing 707
Although it wasn’t the inaugural jet-powered airliner, the Boeing 707 stands out as the most successful among the first generation of jet airliners introduced in the late 1950s. The development of the 707 begun in 1952 with the creation of the Boeing 367-80, a demonstration aircraft designed for both military and commercial applications. The “Dash 80” resulted in the development of the military KC-135 aerial tanker and the 707. The first prototype of the 707 took to the skies in 1957, with the model starting its airline service in 1958. The aircraft quickly established itself as the leader in the long-distance air travel market, displacing earlier propeller-driven airliners and overshadowing other jets produced by Douglas and de Havilland.
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy was the first president to fly in a jet that was specifically designed for presidential purposes—a customized Boeing 707. Throughout the years, various other jet aircraft have been utilized, with the initial Boeing 747-200B (designated VC-25A by the Air Force) being provided in 1990 during the presidency of George H.W. Bush.
The VC-137C Air Force One
On October 10, 1962, Boeing provided the US Air Force (USAF) with a highly modified civilian Boeing 707-320B, designated VC-137C, with the serial number 62-6000. This Boeing VC-137C was the first jet aircraft specifically manufactured for usage by the President of the United States. Throughout its 36-year operational life, it transported eight sitting presidents as well as numerous heads of state, diplomats, dignitaries, and officials on many significant journeys referred to as Special Air Missions (SAM).
With the distinctive call sign “SAM Two-Six-Thousand,” this aircraft showcased the Air Force’s commitment to ensuring safe, reliable, and comfortable air transportation for the president and other important figures to destinations worldwide. When the president was on the aircraft, the call sign would switch to “Air Force One,” a special designation created in 1953 to prevent confusion with other flying aircraft.
At President Kennedy’s request, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and famous industrial designer Raymond Loewy developed a new paint scheme. In addition to the vibrant blue and white colors, the words “United States of America” were emblazoned in tall letters along the fuselage, and an American flag was placed on the tail. These distinctive markings reflect the stature of the Office of the President and serve as a highly visible symbol of American prestige.
Removing scuff marks of the Air Force One
How did you remove scuff marks of the Air Force One’s shiny livery?
‘You wouldn’t guess this one in a thousand tries,’ Ron Wagner, former pilot in the 89th Airlift Wing (the “Presidential Wing”), recalls on Quora.
‘I was a pilot in the 89th Airlift Wing (the “Presidential Wing”) at Andrews Air Force Base. Part of my training to become certified to fly “Special Air Missions” (SAM)—which are White House missions—was a tour of “SAM Supply,” which is a special warehouse on Andrews.
‘They had all the leftover crystal, china, and silverware, from various administrations and the leftover carpet as well. Jacqueline Kennedy had designed new carpeting and so they made a lot of it, assuming that JFK would be in office for eight years. Unfortunately, his service was cut short. Lady Bird kept the Kennedy carpet, but Pat Nixon wasn’t about to trod on the Kennedy carpet, which left SAM Supply with many factory-mill rolls of Mrs. Kennedy’s carpet.
‘The warehouse also held all the food prep supplies for cooking in the aircraft gallies. We turned a corner in the food section, and I saw several shipping pallets of “Gold Medal Enriched Flour,” and my first thought was, “Wow, Gerald Ford really likes baked goods!” But there was far too much flour for baking.’
Enriched Flour used to remove Scuff Marks of the VC-137C Air Force One
Wagner continues;
‘So, I asked, “Why so much flour?”
‘The answer was that the bare aluminum on the outside of Air Force One was so highly polished that they used baking flour as an abrasive to polish it. Anything more abrasive than flour would scratch the pristine shine they had.
‘And they said that “Gold Medal Enriched” was the best for polishing.
‘So, that’s how scuff marks on the shiny bare aluminum on the outer skin of 27000 and 26000 were removed back when I was a pilot in that wing.’
[In December 1972 SAM 26000 became the president’s backup aircraft when the Air Force acquired another Boeing VC-137C (serial number 72-7000)].
Wagner concludes;
‘They were so shiny I could comb my hair in the reflection on the side.
‘And back then I had hair to comb! I can’t comb my hair using either one of them anymore—they’re not shiny enough and I don’t have enough hair left.’
Photo by U.S. Air Force
