Presidential Gallery - National Museum of the U.S. Air Force — Attraction in Riverside

Come check out SAM 26000, JFK's Air Force One. Walk through, see where Lyndon Johnson was sworn in as the President, standing next to Jackie Kennedy. They have cut marks on the plane where they had to make entry for JFK's casket.

The USAF Musuem Website states. "On Oct. 10, 1962, the Boeing Co. delivered to the Air Force a highly modified civilian 707-320B airliner, serial number 62-6000. Bearing the unique call sign “SAM Two-Six-Thousand,” this aircraft illustrated the Air Force’s commitment to providing safe, reliable and comfortable air transportation for the president and other key personnel to locations anywhere around the globe. Whenever the president was onboard the aircraft, the call sign changed to “Air Force One,” a special designation established in 1953 to avoid confusion with other aircraft in flight.

At the request of President Kennedy, a new paint scheme was developed by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and famous industrial designer, Raymond Loewy. In addition to the vibrant blue and white colors, the words “United States of America” were emblazoned in tall letters along the fuselage and an American flag was placed on the tail. These distinctive markings reflect the stature of the Office of the President and serve as a highly visible symbol of American prestige.

One of the world’s most historic aircraft, SAM 26000 carried eight American presidents: Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Clinton. SAM 26000 played an important role in American presidential, political and diplomatic history, and it remains an important national symbol from the Cold War. In June 1963, SAM 26000 flew President Kennedy to West Berlin, Germany, where he declared to the world that “Ich bin ein Berliner” (“I am a Berliner”), boldly assuring continued American support in the face of communist threats and the construction of the Berlin Wall.

SAM 26000 bears an intimate connection to one of the nation’s greatest tragedies, a moment that forever altered the course of American history. On Nov. 22, 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated while traveling in a motorcade through downtown Dallas, Texas. Hours later, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the new president aboard SAM 26000. The aircraft then carried Kennedy’s body and President Johnson back to Washington, D.C., and a grieving nation."

The Sacred Cow, a Douglas VC-54C which features a wheel chair lift for FDR. The Sacred Cow carried President Roosevelt to the Yalta Conference in February 1945. Illustrating the high stakes associated with presidential airlift, the Sacred Cow’s serial number was changed for the flight as a special security measure. The trip to Yalta was Roosevelt’s only flight aboard the aircraft before his untimely death in April 1945.

Roosevelt’s successor, Harry S. Truman, used the aircraft extensively during the first 27 months of his administration. On July 26, 1947, President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 on board the Sacred Cow. This act, which became effective on Sept. 18, 1947, established the US Air Force as an independent service, making the Sacred Cow the “birthplace” of the US Air Force.

The Independence which was used by Harry S. Truman. Douglas VC-118 on display was the second aircraft built specifically to transport the President of the United States. A military version of the Douglas DC-6 commercial airliner, it was used by President Harry S. Truman from 1947 to 1953. At the suggestion of the aircraft’s pilot, President Truman named it The Independence in recognition of his hometown, Independence, Mo.

The Columbine III, used by President Dwight D. Eisenhower primarily used a Lockheed VC-121E Constellation aircraft, nicknamed "Columbine III", as his personal plane during his presidency; this was a military version of the Lockheed Super Constellation airliner and was named after the Colorado state flower, in honor of his wife Mamie Eisenhower who was...

Duration. 1hr entire museum 3-5 As presidential aficionados this was the highlight of our visit. You get the rare opportunity to walk through four different presidential airplanes. No the walkway is very narrow and can feel a bit claustrophobic. If you're concerned about covid highly recommend coming here right when it opens and walking through the Air Force One planes while they are empty. Otherwise are not feel safe visiting this exhibit as there is little to no air circulation and very...

Very cool. Several air force one aircraft are on display. A majority of them are open and have walkways that allow the visitors to view the interiors. The walkways through the crafts are surprisingly tight, as plexiglass walls line the aisle ways to preserve the contents. Wonderful exhibit. Be sure to arrive with plenty of time, as you may find yourself burning several hours and not even he halfway through all of...