The deal was made under a different CEO, although Calhoun was on the board when it was negotiated. While the new 747-8 which will serve future presidents may maintain that classic livery, we could still the new liveryon Trump’s own jet. The new fleet was originally supposed to debut in 2024, but Boeing has projected the planes could be 17 months behind schedule. The aircraft that serves as Air Force One is currently a modified 747-200 featuring a paint scheme originally chosen by Jackie Kennedy in 1960 for a Boeing 707. The company has already lost $660 million developing the two 747 jets for the fleet following a 2018 deal Trump made with the company that makes Boeing foot the bill for all cost changes in the development process. The Kennedy administration chose the current color scheme of robin’s egg blue and white, with United States of America written along the plane’s body in lettering that’s said to mirror that of the Declaration of Independence.īoeing CEO Dave Calhoun told investors last month that the company probably shouldn’t have agreed to a fixed-price contract with former president - and “Art of the Deal” author - Trump to develop the new Air Force One fleet. President Joe Biden arrives at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, Friday, May 20, 2022. Our focus is on delivering two exceptional Air Force One airplanes for the country.” Air Force One with U.S. “It’s an honor to be entrusted with this responsibility and we take particular pride in this work. “We continue to make steady progress on the VC-25B program, while navigating through some challenges,” Boeing said in a statement. FILE: A model of Air Force One with a new color scheme is seen during a bilateral meeting between US President Trump (R) and Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC on June 20, 2019.īoeing said the company is making progress on the new Air Force One project. The VC-25B is Boeing’s military version of the 747. “Further analysis concluded darker colors, among other factors, on the underside of the VC-25B aircraft might contribute to temperatures exceeding the current qualification limits of a small number of components on the aircraft.” “The red, white and blue paint scheme was one of many possible livery colors proposed for the VC-25B,” the Air Force spokesperson said. “The Trump paint scheme is not being considered because it could drive additional engineering, time and cost,” the administration official said.Īn Air Force spokesperson suggested cost wasn’t the only factor in the decision. ![]() As CBS News has previously reported, Boeing estimates the project to be far behind schedule. The decision was made after a paint study was returned, showing how problematic the color scheme was. Politico first reported the scrapped paint scheme for the new Air Force One fleet. ![]() ![]() Workers removed parts of the aircraft’s skin to install structural upgrades and new doors.A red, white and blue paint scheme for the new Air Force One fleet that was approved by former President Trump has been scrapped over cost and other concerns, an administration official confirmed to CBS News. The first of the two aircraft began the modification process in February 2020, with Boeing removing commercial interiors, engines, auxiliary power units, and other components. ![]() All told, the project is expected to cost about $5.2 billion, according to DOD projections. Work is slated to be completed on the aircraft by 2024, and the planes will fly through 2050. The aircraft, which were resurrected from storage, will replace the two current VC-25As that have been in service since 1990. The White House and Boeing in February 2018 announced a new deal for two 747-8Is for about $3.9 billion. “The President has not spent a moment thinking about the color scheme of Air Force One,” Psaki said, adding that, “Certainly, we’re aware of the proposal.” Trump in June 2019 displayed a proposed new livery for the next Air Force One, which would replace the famous white, gold, and light blue with a red, white, and blue scheme.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |