Air Force One 27000 at Ronald Reagan Library

[Rajay]

I missed the beginning of the Republican debate the other night and I was surprised, when I did finally tune in, to see the stage setup in the back of what appeared to be an aircraft hangar. It was only later that I realized that the venue was the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA and the 'parked' aircraft behind which the stage was setup was actually the former Air Force One, aka SAM 27000, itself setup on pedestals in a special pavilion at the library compound.

Personally, I found it a bit strange that one former President out of the many who used it would merit such special consideration from, as it of course turns out, the U. S. Air Force, from whom the aircraft is officially on loan. After all, according to the histories I found online, Boeing VC-137C serial no. 27000 was used by seven former Presidents and Ronald Reagan was neither the first nor the last. In fact, he was right in the middle – number four of seven. So, I’m wondering what made him so special in regard to this aircraft in particular and why his personal legacy was allowed to stake a claim to that aircraft. Not to mention the fact that so much money was presumably spent to move and set it up on his behalf. I sure hope that no Air Force or other taxpayers’ dollars were spent on the project and that all of the money that was involved came from the Reagan library itself and its donors.

It would also be nice if they would at least proof-read the text on their Web site. The following is the verbatim narrative there, complete with typos:

AIR FORCE ONE

"And as we liftoff aboard Air Force One…the winds of freedom will be propelling my mission… As I fly westward over our majestic land, I go knowing that we´re witnessing an awakening to those self–evident truths to which our forefathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor."
– Ronald Reagan, April 23, 1986

Ronald Reagan accomplished many great things while in office - and he did so far outside the Oval Office. President Reagan’s vision of face–to–face diplomacy was paramount in his achievements in promoting peace and democracy around the globe.

When you visit the Reagan Library, you will step aboard this same Air Force One that flew President Reagan over 660,000 miles – to 26 foreign countries and 46 U.S.states – and you will learn how he changed the face of global diplomacy.

This Flying White House, tail number 27000, served seven U.S Presidents from 1973 to 2001, including Presidents Nixon, Carter, Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush. For Ronald Reagan, this was the plane in which he hand-wrote many of his speeches, signed important legislation and even officially started the Daytona Beach, Florida NASCAR race via phone.

But the Air Force One Pavilion is about more than just his plane. View one of his presidential limousines and secret service suburbans as part of an exhibit on presidential motorcades. Experience the actual Irish pub from Ballyporeen, Ireland he visited on a diplomatic trip in 1984 which now sits within the Pavilion and serves as the Library’s snack shop. Explore a 120’ mural which represents all 22 aircraft that has ever flown a U.S. president. Walk around an actual Marine One helicopter that flew President Johnson.

The Air Force One Pavilion at the Reagan Library is one of Southern California’s “must-see” destinations!

Air Force One 27000 is on loan from the United States Air Force.

http://www.reaganfoundation.org/details_f.aspx?p=LM2023EAF1&h1=3&h2=7&lm=libraryandmuseum&args_a=cms&args_b=34&argsb=N&tx=18&sw=18

[ZRX61]

What is your suggestion for the aircraft?

[APG85]

1. The Library requested the aircraft when it was retired. 2. The Air Force decided to permanently loan it to them. That's the simple answer. Location and the fact that the Library wanted to restore it and preserve it indoors had a lot to do with it as well. While numerous presidential aircraft sit outdoors (Pima Air Museum) the Reagan Library offered a fantastic indoor setting that few museums could afford or compete with. I personally would have liked to have seen 26000 go to one of the other Presidential Library's in a similar set-up...

If you Google around, there are some neat pictures of it being assembled and then re-painted in place in the Library. They did a nice job with it inside and out...

You'll have to admit, the display is awesome...

[Rajay]

What is your suggestion for the aircraft?

I wasn't necessarily suggesting that something else be done with it - it's obviously in a good, new "foster home" now. I'm just questioning the criteria that were used to decide to place it there in the first place. There doesn't seem to be any kind of special association between it and Ronald Reagan per se - except that obviously it meant a lot to him to be able to phone in the start of the Daytona 500. (Big whup if you ask me...and I know, I know. You didn't.)

For that matter, why does the Reagan Library have a former "Marine One" helicopter that was used by Lyndon Johnson? Shouldn't it be at the Johnson Presidential Library? From the sound of it, it was retired before Nixon came into office and Reagan probably never even flew in it.

According to all of that, the only criteria that determines where these assets go is who has the money to bankroll the move and upkeep, and who asks for it first. If they decide that they want a 'retired' VC-25A (Boeing 747) for the Clinton Library, is it just a matter of putting up the dough and asking? Maybe W. should ask for the plane he landed on the carrier back when the "mission" in Iraq was accomplished. What was that - an S-3 Viking?

[ZRX61]

For that matter, why does the Reagan Library have a former "Marine One" helicopter that was used by Lyndon Johnson? Shouldn't it be at the Johnson Presidential Library?

The Johnson Presidential Library is a shed, there isn't room.

[APG85]

For that matter, why does the Reagan Library have a former "Marine One" helicopter that was used by Lyndon Johnson? Shouldn't it be at the Johnson Presidential Library? From the sound of it, it was retired before Nixon came into office and Reagan probably never even flew in it.

According to all of that, the only criteria that determines where these assets go is who has the money to bankroll the move and upkeep, and who asks for it first. If they decide that they want a 'retired' VC-25A (Boeing 747) for the Clinton Library, is it just a matter of putting up the dough and asking? Maybe W. should ask for the plane he landed on the carrier back when the "mission" in Iraq was accomplished. What was that - an S-3 Viking?

Another acquisition that they asked for. The chopper was in bad shape (if I remember correctly) and now it is in a good home. Many of the other Library's are space limited for housing aircraft. The Reagan Library was built for an aircraft pavilion...pretty cool, huh.

The Clinton Library (if they had the space) could get a plane if they requested one. The Viking could very well end up at the Bush Library when it is retired. I hope it does...wouldn't that be awesome!

[tulsaboy]

Rajay,

With certain notable exceptions, yes, that is basically how the NMUSAF allocates assets- who is in line first, who has the money to move it and put it back together, who has a reasonable plan for maintenance (with priority given to indoor exhibition), what is the impact/pr benefit for the AF in terms of the aircraft being seen...

With 27000, it's in a great place and the Library asked for it. I would bet that if the Clinton Library asked for the 747, they'd get it. But then again, given the Clinton Library's location, you and I can have a long discussion about how to get the 747 to the library from the nearest local airport. With the Reagan library, the nice thing is that the airplane, while big, wasn't a 747 and was a managable size once broken down into its components. Arguably the Kennedy Assassination AF1 would be neat to have at the Kennedy Library, but again, location makes that difficult. Additionally, for many of the libraries of the now deceased Presidents, their ability to raise substantial funds past their initial construction budget provided by Congress and private dollars is minimal. Having a living former President, ala Bush 41, Clinton, and Bush 43 will make a huge difference in their ability to decide to take advantage of the retirement of one of the 747s. I would think with the advent of the new 747-800, the Presidential fleet will see an upgrade in the next decade or so. The 747s will have served a useful life and it'll be time for new hardware. By that point, Bush 43 or Obama's library might be in line. The most significant one to have with Bush 43, obviously, would be the one that he was onboard on September 11, 2001. That one could be retired in largely the same condition as it was in when those events took place. I would hope that his library would be in talks with the NMUSAF about that eventuality.

kevin

p.s.- The S-3 is, I believe, at Pensacola in the museum there already...

[Misterg97]

I personally would have liked to have seen 26000 go to one of the other Presidential Library's in a similar set-up...

You'll have to admit, the display is awesome...

With all due respect APG85, and knowing I might catch some flak being an active NMUSAF Volunteer, I would like to add:

26000 is indeed a "special Air Force One' due to it's history with JFK's assasination, etc.

Had it been placed in any Library, raised on a Pedestal, only those visiting that Library would be able to see it's outside only.

On display at the NMUSAF along with other Air Force One's, open to the public viewing my conservative estimate for visitors is in excess of 500,000 visitor's to the Presidential Gallery every year ... how many take the time to walk thru, I have no idea ... my own estimate would be a minimum of 75%.

I base these figures on the number of buses (every half hour in some months and every hour in other months). In addition, there are drive ups as well as buses of reunion groups, special arranged groups, etc.

Some days during the busy months, reservations for the bus may be cut off as early as 11:00 am.

In addition to 26000, one can also walk thru those of President Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower ..

If you have yet to visit them ..... come on out.

Last edited by Misterg97 on Sat Sep 10, 2011 4:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[APG85]

The G.H. Bush Library does have an Avenger in it...hanging from the ceiling. Anyone know what happened to JFK's Caroline campaign plane...? I'm assuming the JFK Library is to small to house any aircraft.

Neat discussion topic by the way...

[APG85]

I personally would have liked to have seen 26000 go to one of the other Presidential Library's in a similar set-up...

You'll have to admit, the display is awesome...

With all due respect APG85, and knowing I might catch some flak being an active NMUSAF Volunteer, I would like to add:

26000 is indeed a "special Air Force One' due to it's history with JFK's assasination, etc.

Had it been placed in any Library, raised on a Pedestal, only those visiting that Library would be able to see it's outside only.

On display at the NMUSAF along with other Air Force One's, open to the public viewing my conservative estimate for visitors is in excess of 500,000 visitor's to the Presidential Gallery every year ... how many take the time to walk thru, I have no idea ... my own estimate would be a minimum of 75%.

I base these figures on the number of buses (every half hour in some months and every hour in other months). In addition, there are drive ups as well as buses of reunion groups, special arranged groups, etc.

Some days during the busy months, reservations for the bus may be cut off as early as 11:00 am.

In addition to 26000, one can also walk thru those of President Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower ..

If you have yet to visit them ..... come on out.

I've visited many times and have been inside 26000. The NMUSAF is a fantastic place and does a wonderful job. I just wouldn't have had any heartburn with a Presidential Library grabbing 26000 and setting it up like 27000. As much as I enjoyed walking through 26000, I'm not a fan of allowing the public to walk through historic aircraft (guess I'm a hypocrite ). Would you allow the public to sit in The Spirit of St. Louis? Probably a topic for another time and I'm sure there are two compelling sides to the argument. Again, the NMUSAF does a great job!

[tulsaboy]

APG-
I think that the Kennedy family donated Caroline to the NASM. Anyone that can verify?
kevin

[Rajay]

In addition to 26000, one can also walk thru those of President Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower ..

If you have yet to visit them ..... come on out.

I was going to ask, but you've already answered - 26000 is apparently at NMUSAF.

It's been years since I visited my folks in Seattle (bad son!) but one of the last times that I did, the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field (King Co. Airport) near downtown Seattle had a temporary(?) display of SAM 970, the Boeing VC-137B (USAF s/n 58-6970) that preceeded VC-137C s/n 26000. The "SAM" designation (Special Air Mission) was used before "Air Force One" was coined.

Well, according to its Web site, maybe not so temporary. It seems to still be there:

http://www.museumofflight.org/aircraft/boeing-vc-137b-707-120sam-970-air-force-one

RE: walking through historic aircraft, on the SAM 970 tour at MOF, everything (and I mean "EVERYTHING") was partitioned off behind lexan barriers. It was almost like walking through a decontamination chamber. It would have been impossible to do the same amount of damage that all of those infamous handprints did to rub off the paint from Flak Bait (Martin B-26 Marauder) at Air & Space.

[Invader26]

Well at least the "King's" aircraft is on display and you can walk in it.....

[JohnB]

As has been pointed out, there isn't room at urban sites (like the JFK library) for many aircraft.
And some may not want an aircraft, preferring to be seen more as a place for study than a "museum" (and who knows, some library officials may not want the "military" connection a large aircraft would bring).

The LBJ Ranch (not to be confused with the library) has a VC-140 JetStar on display.
An LBJ H-34, used when he was the VP, is on display at Pima.

The NMUSAF is a great place for the planes, I understand that a new purpose-built building is in the works for them. I was surprised that 26000 was sent there, I would have bet good money that the NASM would have wanted it. I wonder if there is a story there?
I've been throught the older planes (C-54, C-118, C-121) countless times but this year I finally got a chance to go through 26000. It is kept in fine shape and I don't mind the plexiglas...it only makes sense when you're dealing with that number of people going through it.
Also, they've opened the VC-140...though you really can't walk down the asile, you can see the interior. The U-4, Eisenhower's Aero Commander, is neat to look at, and you can just look through the windows to see the interior. Now if they could open the VC-6 King Air (I can see why they don't, the airstair door wouldn't last long with thousands of people climbing on it) and lower the VH-13J from the ceiling, it would be great.



I have read somewhere that the USAF s beginning the procurement process to replace the VC-25s...with an IOC in 2017.
With the economy the way it is, (I doubt if a president wants to be seen in a new plane right anytime soon) I wouldn't be surprised if that isn't pushed back. Besides, the 747s must have a lot of life in them. Anyone know..they're awfuly tight-lipped about them.
But that does lead to the question of what would they buy?
A 747-800 is the only answer if they decide they want to keep a plane as large as a 747.
It would be interesting to ask the 89th MAW and White House officials if the 747 isn't a bit overkill for most missions, not to mention ostentatious and "un-green".
Otherwise a 777 would be likely....and then there is the possibility that EADS/Airbus would bid (the 330 migh tbe too small, the 380 too big, so that leaves the 787-sized 350).

One note about AF1 at Andrews.
Back in the mid-90s, I arranged to have the Bell 47 I was flying (an exH-13E so it was a warbird) put on static at the Andrews Open House. My CFI and I ferried it there from nearby Hyde Field (so close you could see the 747 hangars at Andrews while approaching Hyde from the west).
Having never been to an Andrews open house, I figured they'd roll out one of the VC-25s and rope it off. Nothing doing.
Eventually, they did push out a VC-9 to let the taxpayers who bought it look at. Andrews is best known as the home for the AF1 fleet, and they wouldn't even push it out of its hangar. I was surprised and disappointed to say the least. I wonder if it was a 89th decision or if the White Huse was concerned about tlooking ostentatious, or if it was a Secret Service decision?
BTW: The Bell did get a good display spot, just down the line from the SR-71 and a Patriot missile launcher.

And yes, JFK's Convair Caroline, is in storage at the NASM.

[mustangdriver]

I am glad to see most of the former Air Force Ones end up in air museums. They should have put a control tower in the Reagan Library. And for the CLinton one, well I have seen a picture of the planned CLinton Library. IT is pretty cool.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=strip+cl ... =134&ty=31
And the George W. Bush library? Come on!

Sorry not a fan of these presidential libraries dedicated to par presidents. Not bad or good, just par.