OT- Who wants Air Force 1?

[ChrisK48]

The plane is listed in the FAA records as owned by the State Department (as is N683AL), with a certificate issue date of 10/26/11. Presumably, they have decided they don't need it.

The auction notice says it "May have acted as Air Force 1."

[swbailey]

Just FYI, the third aircraft, 73-1683 was acquirred by the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, OR. We are in the process of getting it ready to fly and ferrying it up here within the month. The only thing it was missing was a transponder. Still, the aircraft hasn't flown in several years, so our ferry crew is giving it a thorough going-over before we attempt to fly it. Once it arrives in its new home, we will have it open for public viewing. Not sure yet if it will be open everyday, or just on select days during the month. A lot will depend on our volunteer docents...

One thing we did learn about it... 1683 was the aircraft used to fly the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" US Olympic Hockey Team to their meeting with the President at the White House. So, the President may never have flown in it, but a bunch of rowdy hockey players did.

Stewart

[Steve Nelson]

Cool..is the cabin set up in a standard passenger configration, or some special arrangement reflecting the aircraft's diplomatic mission?

I remember some years back during a visit to the NMUSAF Presidential Hangar, a visitor was reading the list of presidents and VIPs who had flown on SAM 26000 and he got visibly angry when he saw Queen Elizabeth's name. I thought he was joking at first, but he was genuinely upset that his tax dollars had been used to give Her Majesty a "joyride."


SN

[robkamm]

When I was in a&p school I was told we were working on Ikes aero commander. we would try to get the engine running ,set timing etc. it was at College of aeronautics at LaGuardia in NY. (across the street ). any one can confirm? If it is my names in that logbook.

[groundpounder]

So....Monica should be enshrined? Oh wait, that wasn't the posterior,was it?

well, you just never know.....

[mike furline]

When I was in a&p school I was told we were working on Ikes aero commander. we would try to get the engine running ,set timing etc. it was at College of aeronautics at LaGuardia in NY. (across the street ). any one can confirm? If it is my names in that logbook.

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsh ... asp?id=572

[robkamm]

I saw that. said they got it from a private owner in 1996. we messed with it in school in 1991. could be...

[swbailey]

Steve-

From what I've seen of it, it has the VIP cabin up front, and first class seating for 30 or so staffers in the back. If you go to the Air Mobility Command Museum's page they have a full 360 view around the cabin of 73-1682. That particular aircraft was held by the Air Force for their museum system because of the three VC-9s, it had a set of long range tanks installed, so it was the "preferred" ride for the Vice President.

We got good news out of Arizona yesterday in that the ferry crew got in the aircraft, ran up the engines, taxied, did a simulated take off and abort, and all systems worked beautifully. We're now dealing with a whole bunch of FAA airworthiness paperwork, but it looks like the bird should be flying up to us within the next two-three weeks.

Stewart

[ChrisK48]

It's still at Gateway Airport. Any idea when it will be leaving?