Pres. Kennedy's AF1 (SAM 26000) going to Texas?

[Misterg97]

Local News Media here in the Dayton area covering the story of the possible move from the AF Museum to the Johnson Space Center in Texas of the AF1 that returned President Kennedy's body to Washington.

For the Wixer's in Texas, is there any reports your way?

[APG85]

I'd believe it when I see it. That plane is a significant part of the NMUSAF collection and I'd be surprised to see it leave Wright-Patterson. Also, Johnson Space Center doesn't have an indoor display area for an aircraft that size to my knowledge.

Looks like it's the LBJ Library that is trying to grab it:

http://wyso.org/post/lbj-library-vies-h ... one-nmusaf

[ChrisK48]

The article quotes Congressman Mike Turner of Dayton as follows:

“We want to make certain that this doesn’t become a habit of presidential libraries seeking the planes that really should be on public view, public display as part of the Air Force Museum," he said.

Seems like that train has already left the station, since the Reagan Library has 27000.

[JohnB]

Seems like that train has already left the station, since the Reagan Library has 27000.

I always thought that was odd, I would have thought some other museum would have wanted it. If anyone had ever asked me for a prediction, I would have said the 26000 would end up at the NASM and 27000 at the NMUSAF. I guess the NASM didn't need a 707 since it has the 367-80.

I guess the Reagan library wanted it bad enough to build a proper indoor space for it. Good for them, at least it's under cover. The JFK musem didn't want it, probably because of space, so I guess LBJ would be next in line.

With the new addition to the NMUSAF and the AF1 collection being a major tenant of that, and the 707 being the "crown jewel" of that collection, I'd be surprised to see 26000 leave Dayton.

It might come down to a case of "whose congressional delegation has more clout".
But since Texas is largely Republican, I don't see them getting much support from the current administration (SecDef, WH, etc).

[APG85]

If anyone had ever asked me for a prediction, I would have said the 26000 would end up at the NASM and 27000 at the NMUSAF. I guess the NASM didn't need a 707 since it has the 367-80.

I would have liked to have seen 26000 displayed at the Hazy Center myself (stay in DC) and 27000 go to the NMUSAF. I will say that the Reagan Library has done a fantastic job of restoring and displaying 27000...

[daviemax]

My personal view is that all presidential aircraft belong together in one display, and that it ought to be at the NMUSAF. In addition, given the (at best) murky nature of the Kennedy assassination, having the aircraft lodged at the Johnson library seems very inappropriate and - shall we say - tacky.

[Pat Carry]

My personal view is that all presidential aircraft belong together in one display, and that it ought to be at the NMUSAF. In addition, given the (at best) murky nature of the Kennedy assassination, having the aircraft lodged at the Johnson library seems very inappropriate and - shall we say - tacky.

Well stated! I'm not a betting man but I would bet is is going no where!

[Pat Carry]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns- ... 5013.story

[APG85]

While we are on the subject, here's a link to polishing SAM 970 at the Museum of Flight

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/sh ... detailed-!!

SAM 970 is in the collection of the Museum of Flight but does anyone know what became of 971 and 972...?

[Pat Carry]

This probably does not answer your question but this is an interesting site http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/special/AF1

[APG85]

Did some digging. Looks like 971 is at Pima and 972 was scrapped in the 90's (shame)...

http://www.air-and-space.com/Boeing%207 ... litary.htm

[Garth]

I think, like everyone else, I can't see this happening. At all. In fact, given that the USAF museum just repainted the aircraft a few years back into its proper AF1 scheme, I think they have every right to be indignant about this "request".

It really strikes me as the LBJ Foundation picking a fight to get its name in the news and raise its public profile.

[old iron]

Dixiemax wrote:

My personal view is that all presidential aircraft belong together in one display, and that it ought to be at the NMUSAF. In addition, given the (at best) murky nature of the Kennedy assassination, having the aircraft lodged at the Johnson library seems very inappropriate and - shall we say - tacky.

COME ON - PLEASE! There is nothing "tacky" here, unless Dixiemax is one of those conspiracy theorists who think LBJ killed JFK...

LBJ was inaugurated in that airplane, and flew many places in it (likely many more places than JFK flew in his short term). It is far more logical for the plane to go to the LBJ museum than the JFK museum - would the JFK museum really want an airplane whose major claim in that context is that it brought Kennedy's body back! (the JFK museum has had no interest in displaying JFK's campaign aircraft still in storage at NASM, which is the airplane they should have if any).

[APG85]

(the JFK museum has had no interest in displaying JFK's campaign aircraft still in storage at NASM, which is the airplane they should have if any).

That's another interesting plane that needs some attention. It's too bad the Kennedy Library doesn't take it on...

[daviemax]

Dixiemax wrote:

My personal view is that all presidential aircraft belong together in one display, and that it ought to be at the NMUSAF. In addition, given the (at best) murky nature of the Kennedy assassination, having the aircraft lodged at the Johnson library seems very inappropriate and - shall we say - tacky.

COME ON - PLEASE! There is nothing "tacky" here, unless Dixiemax is one of those conspiracy theorists who think LBJ killed JFK...

LBJ was inaugurated in that airplane, and flew many places in it (likely many more places than JFK flew in his short term). It is far more logical for the plane to go to the LBJ museum than the JFK museum - would the JFK museum really want an airplane whose major claim in that context is that it brought Kennedy's body back! (the JFK museum has had no interest in displaying JFK's campaign aircraft still in storage at NASM, which is the airplane they should have if any).

The phrase "conspiracy theorist" has become very pejorative, unfortunately. Anyone who has taken the time to seriously study the assassination will have a very difficult time maintaining belief in the "lone gunman" theory as advanced by the Warren Commission. The extent to which LBJ had prior knowledge and/or direct involvement is worthy of reasoned debate. Because of the shadowy nature of his personality, and the facts about the assassination and subsequent cover-up that are slowly coming to light, I personally think it is best for the aircraft to remain where it is.