The U.S. Air Force announced that the new 747 aircraft to be delivered “this summer” will be painted red, white, blue and gold.
Air Force One gets a new red, white, blue and gold paint job
The new color scheme will apply to all presidential planes and other planes used by senior government officials.
One of America’s most iconic symbols is undergoing a makeover and upgrade in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary. The controversial Air Force One aircraft donated by Qatar is scheduled to begin deliveries to President Donald Trump this summer.
The U.S. Air Force announced that the new 747 aircraft to be delivered “this summer” will be painted red, white, blue and gold. The Air Force announcement did not specify exactly when the planes would be ready, but the timing coincides with the Fourth of July Independence Day and Quascentennial celebrations. President Trump’s birthday is June 14th.
The plane features a new red, white, dark blue and gold livery designed with input from President Trump, a significant change from the iconic two-tone white and blue livery designed by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.
Although technically any plane carrying the president of the United States is called Air Force One, the name has come to refer primarily to the special 747 that has carried presidents, starting with George HW Bush. The current pair of aging presidential 747s are officially known as VC-25As, and the donated Qatari 747s will be designated as VC-25B bridges.
Aircraft maker Boeing is building two new Presidential 747s, scheduled for completion in 2028, well past their original delivery dates and well above their original price tag of $3.9 billion. During his first administration, President Trump threatened to cancel contracts for new 747 aircraft.
The US Air Force announced that due to delays in the completion of two new aircraft, modifications to the Qatari 747 were necessary to protect the president’s safety. It was originally scheduled to be completed in 2024. The Qatar 747 has completed flight testing and is currently being painted in time for deployment this summer, the Air Force announced May 1.
The current contract value for the two new 747s is $4.4 billion, according to military purchasing records. The presidential plane is equipped with special communications equipment, is hardened against nuclear explosions, and has secret defenses built into it. It can also be refueled mid-air, allowing it to remain airborne almost permanently.
“Ultimately, the bridge aircraft fulfills a critical short-term requirement and ensures the Air Force continues to fulfill the Commander-in-Chief’s imperative mission while building a solid foundation for the future,” Air Force officials said.
U.S. military aircraft are typically purchased new from manufacturers such as Boeing to ensure they have not been sabotaged or loaded with spyware. The Air Force said it must develop new procedures to scan Qatar’s 747s for potential safety risks and could use its expertise to purchase and inspect used aircraft in the future.
Qatar’s donation of the 747 raised serious ethical concerns because it is one of the largest gifts ever given to the United States by a foreign government. President Trump has previously said his administration would have been foolish not to accept this. The White House announced that Qatar’s 747 aircraft will be transferred to the Presidential Library after Trump retires and a new 747 takes flight in 2028.
