BOEING VC-137A (707) SAM 970 or “QUEENIE”

Toward the end of Eisenhower’s second term, in 1959, the Air Force added the first of three specially built Boeing 707 jet aircraft (VC-137As) into the fleet. Not really intended for presidential use, one of these aircraft, SAM 970 (nicknamed “Queenie”), was “borrowed” for the president when other world leaders, Nikita Khrushchev in particular, started to use jets. Another 707 was being built for Presidential use, but it would be awhile before it was ready. The high-speed jet technology built into these aircraft enabled presidents to travel long distances more quickly for face-to-face meetings with world leaders. Eisenhower flew aboard the VC-137 SAM 970 during his “Flight to Peace” goodwill tour in December 1959. He visited 11 Asian nations, flying 22,000 miles (35,000 km) in 19 days, about twice as fast as he could have covered that distance via one of the Constellations. SAM 970 stayed on as a presidential aircraft for many years primarily being used as a backup for the purpose built 707s. It is now at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.