I have just been reminded (via a TV quiz show) the Vice President Lyndon B Johnson was inaugurated as US President whilst aboard the USAF Boeing 707/VC-137 following the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963.
Does that mean that the aircraft took off as a ‘standard’ VC-137 – but landed as ‘Air Force One’ ????
If so – is that a unique event in history ??
Ken
By: Short finals - 23rd January 2018 at 21:48
The final Nixon flight was on 27000, according to this book, which gives a very good account of the development and use of air transport by US Presidents up to GW Bush. https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4013-0004-3
It also confirms that LBJ’s inauguration was while on the ground at Dallas. His order after the swearing-in was “Now let’s get airborne.”
By: J Boyle - 23rd January 2018 at 20:16
The swearing-in took place on the tarmac so it’s designation did not change in flight.
However, I understand Richard Nixon’s resignation became effective while he was in one of the two Boeings enroute to California. At that time, the ATC call sign switched from Air Force One to “SAM XXXX” (I don’t know the number, but it may have been 27000).
I don’t know if the flight was in the older (1962) VC-137C 26000 that used used on the Dallas trip (now at the USAF museum) or the later (1972) 27000 that is at the Reagan Library and museum.
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January 23, 2018 at 6:53 pm