Boeing VC-137C SAM 27000

Boeing VC-137C SAM 27000

Boeing VC-137C SAM 27000 first entered service in 1972 during the administration of Richard Nixon. A modified Boeing 707, SAM 27000 replaced the aging SAM 27000 as the primary means of presidential travel, although SAM 26000 remained as a back-up plane. SAM 27000 served seven presidents in its twenty-nine years of service: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. In 1990, it was replaced as the primary presidential plane by two Boeing VC-25 747 jumbo jets — SAM 28000 and SAM 29000. President Nixon used it to fly to Europe and the Middle East. But one of the most unique flights with Nixon on board SAM 27000 took place August 9, 1974. This was the one that took him from D.C. to California just after he had resigned the Presidency. Midway on that flight he ceased being President.

Ronald Reagan flew in SAM 27000 more than any other President, so it was fitting that, upon its retirement, it was presented to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. That is where I came in. When designing the Air Force One Pavilion to house SAM 27000, they put into the design a mural that would tell the history of the Presidential aircraft. That became my 120 feet X 12 feet oil painting “The History of the Flying White House”. It is prominently displayed with SAM 27000. When you visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, be sure to take the tour through the jet. It is quite fascinating! The cockpit is powered up and the view out the windshield look like you are flying. The air conditioner sound adds to the feeling of b being in flight and the cabin is set up with everything to make it look like everybody just left the airplane and they will be right back!