See the plane that transported JFK after tragic death at Air Force Museum

A plane on view at the U.S. Air Force Museum has an intimate connection to one of the nation’s greatest tragedies.

The Boeing VC-137C on display was the first jet aircraft built specifically for use by the President of the United States. During its 36-year flying career, it carried eight sitting presidents and countless heads of state, diplomats, dignitaries and officials on many historic journeys known as Special Air Missions (SAM), according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

>> PHOTOS: A look back at JFK’s visits to the Dayton area

DAYTON, Ohio -- Boeing VC-137C SAM 26000 at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

icon to expand image

This is the same plane that carried the body of President John F. Kennedy after he was assassinated in Dallas, and taken back to Washington, D.C. on Nov. 22, 1963.

>> 7 must-see planes at the Air Force Museum

The inside of this plane was also the place where Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th president of the United States.

U.S. Air Force museum historian, Jeff Underwood said, "This aircraft tells so many stories and encompasses so much American history, Air Force history, air power history, world history, that it's absolutely one of the most important American artifacts for the American people and for the world."

>> A look back at JFK’s visits to Dayton

The Boeing 707 jetliner known best as “JFK’s Air Force One” will be closed temporarily beginning Monday for restoration work. TY GREENLEES / STAFF

icon to expand image

When the pilot, Col. James Swindal got word of the assassination, he prepped the aircraft for a quick take-off once everything was in order.

Four seats in the rear of the plane were cut out to allow room for the president’s casket.

Sid Davis, a Westinghouse Broadcasting Co. radio reporter, was on the plane at the time when Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in. According to Davis, the ceremony was a total of 28 seconds with 28 people counted as witness.

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated today in 1963, as he rode in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza in downtown...

Posted by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on Friday, November 22, 2019

“President Johnson’s first words after he took the oath was, ‘Let’s get airborne,’” Davis said. The Boeing 707 was able to set 30 speed records, including one in May 1963 with the fastest non-stop flight between Washington, D.C., and Moscow.

The plane is on view at the Air Force Museum in the Presidential Gallery. Guests can walk through the aircraft.

>> The front page of the Dayton Daily News after President Kennedy’s assassination

About the Author