Fact Sheet 92-23
VC-137B/C Stratoliner

Mission

     The VC-137 provides transportation for the vice president, cabinet and 
congressional members, and other high-ranking U.S. and foreign officials. 
It also serves as a backup for Air Force One, the presidential aircraft.

Features

     The VC-137B/C  Stratoliner is a modified version of the Boeing 707 
commercial intercontinental airliner that, for many years, was the 
presidential aircraft. Today, the president's aircraft, is the  VC-25A. The 
VC-137B/C body is identical to that of the Boeing 707, but has different 
interior furnishings and electronic equipment. The passenger cabin is 
divided into three sections:

     The forward area has a communications center, galley, lavatory and an 
eight-seat compartment. 

     The center section is designed as an airborne headquarters with 
conference tables, swivel chairs, projection screen for films and two 
convertible sofa-bunks. 

     The rear section of the cabin contains double reclining passenger seats, 
tables, galley, two lavatories and closets. Partitions may be placed 
throughout the cabin for added privacy.

Background

     In 1962, the first jet aircraft to be specifically purchased for use as 
"Air Force One," a VC-137B, entered service with the tail number 26000. 
It is perhaps the most widely known and has the most historical 
significance of the presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the aircraft 
that carried President John F.  Kennedy to Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, and in 
which his body was returned to Washington, D.C., following his 
assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th 
president of the United States on board 26000 at Love Field in Dallas. 
This fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnson's body to 
Texas following his state funeral on Jan. 24, 1973.  In 1972, President 
Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to the People's 
Republic of China in February and to the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics in May.

     Tail number 27000, a G model VC-137, replaced 26000 and carved its 
place in history when it was used to fly former Presidents Nixon, Ford and 
Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at 
the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Transport high-priority personnel and backup 
presidential airlift.
Builder: Boeing Company.
Power Plant: Four Pratt and Whitney JT3D-3B turbofan engines.
Thrust: 18,000 pounds (8,100 kilograms) each engine.
Length: VC-137B, 144 feet, 6 inches (48.79 meters); VC-137C, 152 feet, 
11 inches (46.33 meters).
Height: VC-137B, 41 feet, 4 inches (12.52 meters); VC-137C, 42 feet, 5 
inches (12.91 meters).
Maximum Takeoff Weight: VC-137B, 258,000 pounds (116,100 
kilograms) VC-137C, 322,000 pounds (144,900 kilograms).
Wingspan: VC-137B, 130 feet, 10 inches (39.66 meters); VC-137C, 145 
feet, 9 inches (44.17 meters).
Range: VC-137B, 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers); VC-137C, 6,000 miles 
(9,600 kilometers).
Ceiling: 42,000 feet (12,727 meters).
Speed: 530 miles per hour (Mach 0.81).
Load:  VC-137B, 40 passengers; VC-137C, 50 passengers.
Unit Cost: VC-137B, $36.6 million; VC-137C, $36.2 million.
Crew: 18 (varies with mission).
Date Deployed: VC-137B, October 1962; VC-137C, August 1972.
Inventory: Active force, three VC-137Bs and four VC-137Cs; ANG: 0; 
Reserve: 0. 

POINT OF CONTACT: 
Air Mobility Command, Office of Public Affairs; Building 1905, 
Room 118; 502 Scott Drive; Scott AFB, IL 62225-5317; DSN 576-
4502, (618) 256-4502.

(Current as of October 1992)