Dates

Event

1944

Constructed as a VC-54C.
This is a one-of-a-kind model, using a C-54A fuselage mated to modified C-54B wings. VIP interior included an elevator at the rear of the aircraft for President Roosevelt and his wheel chair. It also had bullet-proof picture windows.

Circa June 1944

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Army Air Force with s/n 42-107451.

From 1 July 1944 to 18 July 1944

First mission, with Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson, to Naples, Italy via Casablanca. Return trip was first non-stop UK to Washington, DC flight, made in 17 hours 50 min.

By July 1944

Transferred to 503rd Army Air Force Base Unit, Bolling Field, DC.

August 1944

Flew to Rio de Janeiro to pick up Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. Flying back 5300 miles with only two stops, it was the first time an airplane flew more than 5000 miles in a day. She was brought to the USA for medical treatment.

21 January 1945

Aircraft departed Washington, DC for its participation in movement of personnel for the Yalta Conference. For security reasons, it was marked with a serial number of a C-54 which was lost in the Pacific (42-72252). After first flying to Naples, the aircraft then made a dry run into the Russian airfield Saki, about 60 miles from Yalta. On 3 February it picked up President Roosevelt at Malta (where he had arrived by ship) and flew him to Saki.

26 July 1947

President Truman signed the National Security Act of 1947 on board this aircraft, establishing the USAF as a separate service.

26 July 1947

Transferred to 503rd Air Force Base Unit, Bolling Field, DC.
Unit redesignated due to becoming USAF unit.

18 September 1947

Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 42-107451.

1948

Transferred to 16th Special Air Missions Group, Bolling Field, DC.

1 October 1948

Transferred to 1254th Air Transport Squadron (MATS), Bolling Field, DC.

1955

Transferred to 1100th Air Base Wing, Bolling Field, DC.
Transfer was late in the year.

July 1961

Agreement reached to transfer the aircraft to the National Air Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

July 1961

Assigned to Bolling Field, DC for storage.

17 October 1961

Last flight.
Flown from Bolling Field to Andrews AFB by the Commander of HQ Command.

Aircraft wings were cut off so it could be moved in trucks.

1977

Loaned to National Museum, the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
Aircraft remained in storage at Andrews AFB.

August 1983

Transported by ground. Delivered to National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
At this time the aircraft became property of the NMUSAF.
View the Location Dossier

From August 1985 to April 1995

Restored.
Markings Applied: 42-72252
The false serial on the C-54 was worn for Roosevelts trip to Yalta in 1945.

6 May 2008

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

6 May 2008

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield

16 May 2018

Photographer: Glenn Chatfield
Notes: In the new building