1960’s Airforce One
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This aircraft served as the official Air Force One for President Kennedy. It was the last propeller driven aircraft to be designated as the primary Presidential transport. Now at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson.
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A colleague who used to fly out of Andrews says he carted Al Gore to climate conferences in that plane before the 757's (C-32's) arrived. A lot of smoke and carbon credits from those Pratt JT3D engines.
Also, for domestic trips, one of the C-32's is often used as Air Force One. Some of the C-32's have the extra comm package with the satcomm radomes on top of the fuselage for the presidential mission.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Fo...try_to_jet_age
and according to the note posted by Niner Lima Charlie above, the museum in Tucson is claiming that it's DC6B was still the primary aircraft at the start of US President Kennedy's era (from start of 1961), which would imply the 707 was not operational yet.
Can't all be right.
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Meanwhile, according to Wikipedia (I know, I know) the 707 was first used by US President Eisenhower on his trip to Asia, departing 3 December 1959.
and according to the note posted by Niner Lima Charlie above, the museum in Tucson is claiming that it's DC6B was still the primary aircraft at the start of US President Kennedy's era (from start of 1961), which would imply the 707 was not operational yet.
Can't all be right.
and according to the note posted by Niner Lima Charlie above, the museum in Tucson is claiming that it's DC6B was still the primary aircraft at the start of US President Kennedy's era (from start of 1961), which would imply the 707 was not operational yet.
Can't all be right.
Another Wikipedia cite:
August 26, 1959 (Wednesday)
Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first President of the United States to fly in a jet airplane, as a new Boeing VC-137 (military counterpart to the Boeing 707) transported him to Bonn, West Germany, with a stop at Newfoundland for refueling. The presidential jet was nicknamed "Queenie"[48]
Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first President of the United States to fly in a jet airplane, as a new Boeing VC-137 (military counterpart to the Boeing 707) transported him to Bonn, West Germany, with a stop at Newfoundland for refueling. The presidential jet was nicknamed "Queenie"[48]
48. ^ Kenneth T. Walsh, Air Force One: A History of the Presidents and Their Planes (Hyperion, 2003), pp57–58
970 wasn't specifically assigned to presidential duty when Eisenhower took the August 1959 trip to meet Konrad Adenauer in Bonn and was never the primary Air Force One according to Dorr and other sources.
A picture of Eisenhower in Bonn on August 26, 1959 with 970 in the background is here:
http://l450v.alamy.com/450v/e0rg5c/a...ent-e0rg5c.jpg
Footage of the 1959 VC-137A arrival in Bonn:
as a new Boeing VC-137 (military counterpart to the Boeing 707) transported him to Bonn, West Germany, with a stop at Newfoundland for refueling
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Dorr's book cited above says that the CIA outfitted 970 with secret cameras in preparation for a planned 1960 Moscow summit that was scuttled by the U-2 shoot down on May 1.
There were persistent rumors that Pan Am planes operating in the Berlin corridors had similar extra equipment. I never found any of it on my walkarounds in TXL.
I started at Lockheed Air Service (LASI) at Idlewild International Airport in New York (KIDL) in 1954 and the most important contract they had was servicing the Presidential Fleet and VIP aircraft for the USAF. At that time the SAMFLEET as the VIP operation was known had a number of VC-121A Constellations of the L-749 model. Some of the aircraft were named and there was the Bataan and the Columbine being respectively General MacArthur and General Eisenhowers's. President Truman though had a VC-118 DC-6 type named the Independence.
However there was also one of the VC-121 named "The Dew Drop". The legend and lore around the hangar floor was that it had been so named for President Dewey. Of course that didn't happen. Reportedly, Mr. Truman as President was not amused and refused to set foot in a Constellation using Douglas VC-118 thereafter. Also it was said he made the Air Force keep the name Dew Drop on the aircraft. I did indeed see it there in 1954.
I certainly can't verify this but it was common knowledge among us at LASI in those days. And, after all, this is a Rumor Network. Can anyone provide backup for this?
However there was also one of the VC-121 named "The Dew Drop". The legend and lore around the hangar floor was that it had been so named for President Dewey. Of course that didn't happen. Reportedly, Mr. Truman as President was not amused and refused to set foot in a Constellation using Douglas VC-118 thereafter. Also it was said he made the Air Force keep the name Dew Drop on the aircraft. I did indeed see it there in 1954.
I certainly can't verify this but it was common knowledge among us at LASI in those days. And, after all, this is a Rumor Network. Can anyone provide backup for this?
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Also it was said he made the Air Force keep the name Dew Drop on the aircraft. I did indeed see it there in 1954.
I certainly can't verify this but it was common knowledge among us at LASI in those days. And, after all, this is a Rumor Network. Can anyone provide backup for this?
I certainly can't verify this but it was common knowledge among us at LASI in those days. And, after all, this is a Rumor Network. Can anyone provide backup for this?
It appears that the Dewdrop was 48-608 and was unfortunately scrapped as N806AS in 2002 according to this webpage with pictures linked below:
Final registration - N608AS
First flight October 11, 1948
Delivered to USAF November 1948 as 48-608
Converted on assembly line to the only VC-121B for VIP use
Named "Dewdrop" for the anticipated win by Thomas Dewey. When Truman won the election, he kept his VC-118
Flew VIP missions during its USAF career
Retired by USAF and flown to Davis Monthan AFB for storage in April 1968 after removal of interior furnishings
Sold to Kolar, Inc at DoD auction on June 17, 1971
To Aero Tech, Inc on September 23, 1971
To Aviation Specialties, Inc on September 26, 1972 for conversion as an agricultural sprayer
Registered N608AS on March 26, 1973
Stored at Mesa, AZ late 1976 to early 1979 and then again in 1981
To Globe Air, Inc April 1981 and for sale for $84,000 early 1982
Sold to Tom Woodward at the Globe Air Auction October 1985
Ferried from Mesa to Tucson-Ryan Field July 19, 1986
Sold to Harry Oliver February 21, 1990
Used as a source of spares for the restoration of N9463/48-610 "Columbine II" in 1989
Stored at Ryan Field in derelict condition until scrapped on January 11, 2002
First flight October 11, 1948
Delivered to USAF November 1948 as 48-608
Converted on assembly line to the only VC-121B for VIP use
Named "Dewdrop" for the anticipated win by Thomas Dewey. When Truman won the election, he kept his VC-118
Flew VIP missions during its USAF career
Retired by USAF and flown to Davis Monthan AFB for storage in April 1968 after removal of interior furnishings
Sold to Kolar, Inc at DoD auction on June 17, 1971
To Aero Tech, Inc on September 23, 1971
To Aviation Specialties, Inc on September 26, 1972 for conversion as an agricultural sprayer
Registered N608AS on March 26, 1973
Stored at Mesa, AZ late 1976 to early 1979 and then again in 1981
To Globe Air, Inc April 1981 and for sale for $84,000 early 1982
Sold to Tom Woodward at the Globe Air Auction October 1985
Ferried from Mesa to Tucson-Ryan Field July 19, 1986
Sold to Harry Oliver February 21, 1990
Used as a source of spares for the restoration of N9463/48-610 "Columbine II" in 1989
Stored at Ryan Field in derelict condition until scrapped on January 11, 2002
According to Von Hardesty's 2003 AF1 book, the Dewdrop served as a backup VIP transport and carried Secretaries of the Air Force and other cabinet officials in the Truman and Eisenhower administrations. In the Kennedy administration the plane carried Secretary of State John Foster Dulles with the Dewdrop nickname removed.
See: https://books.google.com/books?id=qt...page&q&f=false
Back to the future... 92-9000 is turning final landing to the north at Andrews right now as AF1 with 82-8000 in trail as SAM 45. SAM 18 and SAM 023 also checked in during the Hawaii fuel stop earlier today.
My deepest thanks to Airbubba for confirming that old rumor about the Dewdrop (now spelled properly) and the link to more information. I was, while at LASI, occasionally assigned to work the VC-121A and B aircraft. On one notable occasion, we were preparing to deliver one of them after Phase Check and I was assigned to comb the carpet in the cabin so all the nap lay in a rearward direction. Yes, actually use a horse comb on the rugs. Fortunately I had my FAA A&P licenses to qualify me for the task.
Later, when at Eastern Air Lines I was assigned as Tech Rep to many White House Press Charters in one of our DC-8. I rode jump seat in the cockpit. We had to get the Press on the ground ahead of Air Force One so the photographers could take that same picture of President Nixon emerging from in the open door of Air Force One with hand upraised. It was eye opening to see the preparations ahead of a visit by the President. Also was revealing to see the harried and nervous Secret Service men doing the utmost to protect him. I was lucky though, never had a mechanical delay on my aircraft on any of my trips. I believe my head would have been posted on a a pike if I had.
Later, when at Eastern Air Lines I was assigned as Tech Rep to many White House Press Charters in one of our DC-8. I rode jump seat in the cockpit. We had to get the Press on the ground ahead of Air Force One so the photographers could take that same picture of President Nixon emerging from in the open door of Air Force One with hand upraised. It was eye opening to see the preparations ahead of a visit by the President. Also was revealing to see the harried and nervous Secret Service men doing the utmost to protect him. I was lucky though, never had a mechanical delay on my aircraft on any of my trips. I believe my head would have been posted on a a pike if I had.
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Later, when at Eastern Air Lines I was assigned as Tech Rep to many White House Press Charters in one of our DC-8. I rode jump seat in the cockpit. We had to get the Press on the ground ahead of Air Force One so the photographers could take that same picture of President Nixon emerging from in the open door of Air Force One with hand upraised.
These charters required additional background checks and a security clearance and were flown by management pilots.
Now, this is no s**t ...
During the Reagan administration George H.W. Bush was the Vice President and on the road he would sometimes play tennis with Pan Am pilot Ben Shelfer.
On one trip Bush called the flight crew layover hotel looking for Captain Shelfer for some tennis. As is still common with crew hotels, the sign in list had the room numbers jumbled and the call went through to Shelfer's colleague Sam Cannato.
Sam didn't recognize the voice and asked 'Who the hell is this?'
Bush was taken aback and said 'Why, this is the Vice President, I'm looking for Captain Shelfer'.
Cannato thought a Pan Am executive was interrupting his rest period with something that could be put on a note under the door and he indignantly challenged 'Vice president of WHAT???'
Sam didn't get any more press charters for a while.
Contrary to some belief, although all the major US carriers up to that time, and beyond, had substantial numbers of long range and widebody aircraft, many of these were only fitted out for US operations and did not have over-ocean navigation or safety equipment. This gradually reduced as the other carriers picked up intercontinental work, but they still only fitted the minimal subset of their fleets necessary. Pan Am was different, of course, and all their fleet had the full set of equipment (diluted quite a bit when they took over National), and they also had handling arrangements in all major points worldwide.
The other group that had the full capability was the US charter carriers, who did military and other charters worldwide, but they generally only had charter-density cabins and thus weren't suitable from another point of view for such work.
The other group that had the full capability was the US charter carriers, who did military and other charters worldwide, but they generally only had charter-density cabins and thus weren't suitable from another point of view for such work.
My time was late 1960's and early 1970's. Eastern flew the Press Charters in the 1972 campaign. WHBM is right about nav equipment on the domestic airlines at that time. Col. Albertazie on Air Force One was shocked to find that our new DC8-63 had only VOR navigation and Loran (for Bermuda and San Juan work). It was not until EAL started doing MAC charters with the DC8-63 that we fitted two of them with Doppler nav.
As an aside, I might mention that on an earlier press charter to Denver in a DC8-61 in the sixties, we found, on the takeoff on the return flight back to Andrews AFB that the airplane didn't want to unstick and used excessive runway. At Andrews we found the Press boys had loaded up the baggage compartments with many cases of Coors Beer which was unobtainable back East at that time. The flight crew was unaware of that little matter and with Denver altitude and a warm day it became interesting to see the runway length markers going by. We did get off just short of making the runway numbers. The DC8-61 was not a lively performer compared to the -63 for sure.
As an aside, I might mention that on an earlier press charter to Denver in a DC8-61 in the sixties, we found, on the takeoff on the return flight back to Andrews AFB that the airplane didn't want to unstick and used excessive runway. At Andrews we found the Press boys had loaded up the baggage compartments with many cases of Coors Beer which was unobtainable back East at that time. The flight crew was unaware of that little matter and with Denver altitude and a warm day it became interesting to see the runway length markers going by. We did get off just short of making the runway numbers. The DC8-61 was not a lively performer compared to the -63 for sure.
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Several sources claim that Coors was 'smuggled' back East to be served on Air Force One during the Eisenhower and Ford administrations.
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nati...-coors-banquet
It certainly was fashionable to carry Coors eastbound on military aircraft large and small forty years ago. Or, so they tell me.
Just as with the more recent fake golf clubs smuggled from Asia and sold on eBay, some idiot in the squadron would sell a few cases of the Coors to his buddies and the local tax people would go ballistic. A memo would come down saying no more Coors cross-country flights. Then a general or admiral would get thirsty, the beer would be loaded again until somebody else messed up the deal for everyone once more.
Another favorite liquid contraband was wine from the Azores. Military planes would land for a 'fuel stop' at Lajes coming back from Europe whether they needed it or not. Mateus and Lancers Portuguese wine was about 70 cents a bottle (probably twice what it's worth) at the Air Force exchange and they had had handtrucks to load cases into planes on the ramp.
By the late 1960s, Coors’ scarcity had helped it cement cult status. According to legend, Eisenhower and Gerald Ford packed it aboard Air Force One, and Ford had it served at the White House mess every Thursday.
It certainly was fashionable to carry Coors eastbound on military aircraft large and small forty years ago. Or, so they tell me.
Just as with the more recent fake golf clubs smuggled from Asia and sold on eBay, some idiot in the squadron would sell a few cases of the Coors to his buddies and the local tax people would go ballistic. A memo would come down saying no more Coors cross-country flights. Then a general or admiral would get thirsty, the beer would be loaded again until somebody else messed up the deal for everyone once more.
Another favorite liquid contraband was wine from the Azores. Military planes would land for a 'fuel stop' at Lajes coming back from Europe whether they needed it or not. Mateus and Lancers Portuguese wine was about 70 cents a bottle (probably twice what it's worth
) at the Air Force exchange and they had had handtrucks to load cases into planes on the ramp.
Slightly OT, but Lossiemouth in Northern Scotland was a popular detachment for the German F-104 squadrons - the gunports on the Starfighter were reputedly exactly the right bore to accommodate several Scotch whisky bottles ...
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Speaking of Air Force One and liquid refreshment, I've heard it claimed in recent years that Air Force Two has no alcohol served onboard, is this really true?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...-air-force-two
Several online clickbait trivia lists seem to reference this 2012 Bloomberg article above (which is unfortunately now behind a paywall):
https://www.thrillist.com/cars/facts...-air-force-one
13 Insane Facts You Didn't Know About Air Force One - Odometer.com
The Pros and Cons: Air Force One v. Air Force Two
By Hans Nichols
October 12, 2012 4:37 PM EDT
There’s a crucial difference between the president’s and the vice president’s plane: The stewards don’t serve alcohol on Air Force Two.
By Hans Nichols
October 12, 2012 4:37 PM EDT
There’s a crucial difference between the president’s and the vice president’s plane: The stewards don’t serve alcohol on Air Force Two.
Several online clickbait trivia lists seem to reference this 2012 Bloomberg article above (which is unfortunately now behind a paywall):
https://www.thrillist.com/cars/facts...-air-force-one
13 Insane Facts You Didn't Know About Air Force One - Odometer.com
