Corgi
Series – Aviation Archive
AA32901- Boeing VC-137C-Air Force One
DIE CAST
Scale - 1/144 Wingspan is 12”
MSRP IS $91.99
Released in 2001,
SOLD OUT – no longer available from the manufacturer
Condition - MINT
This great model was released by Corgi in 2001, for many years now Corgi didn’t released any models of 707 and this specific model was sold out by the manufacturer many years ago. Now most Corgi dealers are “Sold Out” too. I was cleaning my warehouse for the 2007-year end sale and found a few large boxes with Corgi 1/144 scale planes models released in 1999-2001 and among it a few Air Force One models. So here is a blast from the past.
ABOUT THE PLANE
Background
Presidential air transport began in 1944 when a C-54 -- the "Sacred Cow" -- was put into service for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Then came the "Independence," a DC-6 (Liftmaster), which transported President Harry S. Truman during the period 1947 to 1953. President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled aboard the "Columbine II" and "Columbine III" from 1953 to 1961. While the call sign "Air Force One" was first used in the 50s, , or designated as VC-137 for military service,
In 1962, U.S. presidents were provided modern jet transportation with the introduction of the Boeing model 707-320B or C-137C - military for the same plane. President Kennedy's Boeing 707 was the first aircraft to be popularly known as "Air Force One." Specifically purchased for use as Air Force One, entered into service with the tail number 26000, in all this plane served seven presidents. “It is perhaps the most widely known and most historically significant presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the aircraft that carried President Kennedy to Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, and returned the body to Washington, D.C., following his assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president on board the aircraft at Love Field in Dallas. This fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnson's body to Texas following his state funeral 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 former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in May. Tail number 27000 replaced 26000 and carved its own history when it was used to fly Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
Tail number 26000 was retired May 1998, and is on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio”.
ABOUT THE MODEL,
Corgi calls this one “President Carter”, we should ask them why? JFK, Lyndon Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter and last but not least Ronald Regan were served by this airplane, though Ronald Regan intensively used the other 707 with tail number 27000 that now on displayed at his presidential museum.
It is a beautiful model indeed, with attention to small details; clear, sharp, historically accurate imprints (NO DECALS). Came with landing gears and heavy duty stand.
Packed in attractive box, that is very useful if you would like to make it a present. PICTURE ON A BOX shown plane with the tail number 27000, that was a prototype model, all models had this “problem”.
Displays absolutely great and could be a great patriotic gift idea and proudly display not only as a part of privet collection but on any executive desk!
BUY IT NOW! DO NOT WAIT ANY LONGER very few pieces left in my inventory and it sold out practically anywhere else.
COULD BE A GREAT GIFT TO YOURSELF OR ANY PLANE ENTUSIAST OR/AND MODEL COLLECTOR. IT IS NOT SUTABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 14 YEARS, BUT PERFECT TO THOSE WHO OVER 30!
