How a crayon-drawn design became the iconic face of American power
In short: Before it was a symbol of global leadership, the presidential aircraft was a canvas for a creative collaboration. Using nothing but crayons and paper on the Oval Office floor, a legendary designer helped transform a customized Boeing 707 into the most recognizable plane in the sky.
In 1962, the Kennedy administration introduced a new visual identity for the VC-137C, known as SAM 26000. The previous livery, featuring a red nose and black cheatline, was dismissed by designer Raymond Loewy as amateurish and gaudy. Working alongside First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Loewy used crayons and paper to develop a blue, silver, and white scheme that remains the standard today. He even drew inspiration from the Caslon typeface used in the first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence for the aircraft's lettering.
The aircraft's interior evolved alongside the personalities of the presidents it carried. During the Lyndon B. Johnson era, the plane functioned as a mobile command center, featuring a crescent-shaped table and a leather chair famously dubbed 'the throne.' Johnson, who logged approximately 523,000 miles on the plane, treated it as his 'own little plane.' In contrast, Richard Nixon later stripped the interior to create a private three-room suite, transforming the open floor plan into a combination of office, lounge, and bedrooms to suit his preference for privacy.
Beyond aesthetics, SAM 26000 served as a witness to pivotal historical moments. It carried President Kennedy to his 'Ich bin ein Berliner' speech in June 1963 and later transported the Kennedy family back to Washington following his assassination in November 1963. The plane also facilitated Nixon's historic 1972 visit to China. Following many years of use, which ended with a 1998 role supporting Bill Clinton, the plane was moved to Ohio's National Museum of the United States Air Force and stays there today.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: VC-137C SAM 26000
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