Us aviation geeks tend to be more interested in aircraft liveries than the average person. Along those lines, the United States Air Force jets that carry the country’s top leaders will soon be getting a new look, inspired by Trump’s personal plane.
In this post:
Top US Air Force jets will get red, white, gold, and blue livery
It has been confirmed that part of the fleet of planes used for Air Force VIP transport will progressively be getting a new paint scheme. Perhaps most significantly, keep in mind that Trump will soon be getting a new Boeing 747-8 that will act as Air Force One, which was a gift from Qatar.
This plane will ultimately go into Trump’s Presidential Library, and is intended as an interim solution, until the two purpose-built modified Boeing 747-8 jets, which are designated as VC-25Bs, are delivered (they’re years behind schedule and billions over budget, given all the modifications required).
Those won’t be the only planes getting the new livery, though. The Air Force also has eight modified Boeing 757-200s, designated as C-32As, which are used for VIP transport, including of the vice president and other top White House officials. Four of those eight planes are expected to get the new livery, and the first of those has just been repainted.
Going as far back as the Kennedy administration, these planes have been painted in a white and baby blue livery. However, Trump has decided that he wants these planes painted in a red, white, gold, and dark blue livery.
This is obviously inspired by Trump’s personal Boeing 757-200, in the past referred to as “Trump Force One.” Obviously it’s a bit different, but I think we all know where the gold inspiration is coming from. 😉
Trump’s new Boeing 747-8 is expected to be in service as soon as this summer, while the four Boeing 757-200s that are expected to get the new livery will get that work done during scheduled maintenance. As mentioned above, the first plane has now been repainted, and it should be flying again in the coming months.
Trump has been wanting this new livery since his first term
The concept of Trump pushing for a new livery for Air Force One and other prominent Air Force jets is nothing new. Trump first presented the new livery during his first term, in 2019.
At the time, Trump said that “Air Force One is going to be incredible,” and “it’s going to be the top of the line, the top in the world, and it’s going to be red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate.”
However, in 2023, Biden reversed Trump’s plan to introduce a totally different livery on the upcoming new Air Force One jets. Biden chose to stick to tradition with the new design, with only some minor changes compared to the previous livery, intended to make it look more modern.
The Biden administration also claimed it was rejecting Trump’s proposed livery for another reason — a thermal study concluded that the dark blue in the design would require additional FAA qualification testing for several commercial components, due to the added heat in certain environments.
Of course now we’re seeing Trump go back to what he wanted the first time, and reversing Biden’s reversal.
Bottom line
It seems that Trump will be getting his wish in terms of the new paint scheme for Air Force One, which will be red, white, gold, and blue. Not only that, but other top Air Force jets used for VIP transport will also get this new livery. This is quite a departure from the old baby blue and white livery, which has been used by the government for decades.
What do you make of the new Air Force One livery?
There's not just one Kennedy style. The 757 livery is different from the 747-200 livery, particularly around the cockpit.
The new style is not modern, lacking curves. The flag design is kind of old looking.
This change shows someone was lying about darker colors not being possible. I suspect it was a Biden life because Joe is senile. Trump also is developing dementia, too. JD should take over.
As a politically neutral observer, I think that the colour scheme and markings are most acceptable. However, the colour scheme would look much nicer still emblazoned upon an Airbus A380 …. :-)
I know …. Take cover!
Not a Trump fan but IMO this is an upgrade
Not to worry, these will be repainted in 2029 as we scrub all the hideous, tacky Trump aesthetic from our country.
Just like any etching of his name à la the Kennedy Center will be ripped off on Day 1. Good riddance.
Can the USAF paint the radome bright red? That would complete the livery IMHO.
Bringing American supremacy to the world, one (re)painted plane at a time. /s
Very much against Sleepy Joe but that 2023 colour scheme was timeless and in good taste.
This liberal blogger will make any excuse to attack our President. We all can see through his liberal agenda and this article is once again just another attack piece.
Lot of support for the Pedo in Chief, u alright?
@UA-NYC, I think he had his windows down while being downwind from rolling coal on some bicyclists.
Then why are you here @Dave Stafford? Seems like you would be more comfortable in the hate crimes section of Twitter.
It’s a horrible livery. Blue is too dark and the flag wave looks terrible. Make the flag flat, lighten the blue or a gradient of blue and remove gold. Red is not bad.
This is a great way to travel to Epstein Island in style!
Shades of the final TWA livery.
Yep. I thought the same.
There is a point to be made that the livery should reflect national flag colors, and I say this as someone who has always admired the baby blue. That said, if we're gonna go ahead and change it - this one just doesn't cut it. Not terrible, just not memorable or elegant at all (unlike the baby blue).
He's so focused on things that matter to the average person. I'm sure food and medical costs are going to come down any day now.
The flag on the tail should be upside down
The flags are generally reversed on the right side of the aircraft to signify the direction the flag would blow in the wind. So it is technically correct. Look at any US carrier that paints the flags on their aircraft and you'll see the same.
Think you missed the symbolism bruh
Upside down. Blue on the bottom. Sign of distress by the flag code.
If the first new 747 is the ex-Qatar version then it’ll have almost none of the existing Airforce One technology and defensive capabilities. It’ll just be a big taxi to fly the Orange Ape around. Basically useless to the Government during a crisis.
Orange Ape? Would you refer to Joe Biden or Barack Obama as an Ape?
No. Because they are not.
The Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City epitomized the Orang Utan's style.
Say what you want but this new livery is absolutely stunning compared to the current design.
LOL!
We get it, you’re gay and hate Trump. Painting the plane our national colors is patriotic. That is factual and you don’t need to put quotations around “patriotic”.
@ Thomas -- I'm not sure what me being gay has to do with anything. I put "patriotic" in quotes because he also decided to add gold to it.
Thomas we get it, you’re an incel groyper who loves to defend pedos
Gay people are some of the nicest people you'll ever come across. Aside from Ben who's blog I've been on and has supported since 2009-2010, here are some names below:
-Sam Champion
-Robin Roberts
-Gio Benitez
-Brian Kelly (The Points Guy)
While I don't know them personally, they've been a fixture in my home for years if not decades whether on TV or the internet especially Sam as I've watched him since...
Gay people are some of the nicest people you'll ever come across. Aside from Ben who's blog I've been on and has supported since 2009-2010, here are some names below:
-Sam Champion
-Robin Roberts
-Gio Benitez
-Brian Kelly (The Points Guy)
While I don't know them personally, they've been a fixture in my home for years if not decades whether on TV or the internet especially Sam as I've watched him since I was a toddler, and they're some of the nicest people you'll ever come across.
Thomas, time for a time out. Come back when you can act like an adult and not be a bigot. Have a nice nap!!
Why shouldn't he have the scheme he wants? The taxpayers are going to pay ca. 4 billion dollars to convert this gift craft into Air Force One, and then it will go to the Trump library after he leaves office in 2029 (?). The paint scheme is pretty trivial in comparison.
The scheme is going on the C-32A as well as DHS BBJ.
And while nothing to do with anything but your username, I myself was torn being fiscal conservative, but I feel like I lean more towards being fiscally responsible. More like Nelson Rockefeller if that makes sense.
One more thing to reverse when this national embarrassment is gone. Well he admires Russia so much…they had deStalinization we’ll have de-shitturdification
Clearly an update on the paint design was needed, but obviously just like United Delta Air Canada when you change the paint some people like it others don't.
I'm surprised US is still flying and painting 757s. Seriously? Time to replace them.
Oh wait you would probably want the 321xlr,.so oops stick with the 757's
Fuguly just like the designer.
Surprised it is not entirely gold with his face on it as he looks at Turkmenistan for ideas. Imagine the interior - 19th century bordello Cholesterol do your thing.
Hopefully that arch he is squandering money on will be his mausoleum.
He is white-livered and red-faced.
He is deformed, crooked, old and sere,
Ill-faced, worse bodied, shapeless everywhere;
Vicious, ungentle, foolish, blunt, unkind;
Stigmatical in making, worse in mind.
GAWDY!!!!
Awesome! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
Moron.
Please explain how this does that.