Air Force One’s baby blue color scheme is so last election. Instead, picture a star-spangled Boeing jet transporting the commander in chief through the sky for years to come.
President Trump has confirmed reports that he wants to make big changes to the iconic fleet of Boeing jets.
“Boeing gave us a good deal. And we were able to take that,” Trump told CBS Evening News. “But I said, ‘I wonder if we should use the same baby blue colors?’ And we’re not.”
The 45th president wants to do away with the blue color scheme that’s donned Air Force One jets since 1962 with President John F. Kennedy.
“Red, white and blue,” Trump told CBS. “Air Force One is going to be incredible. It’s gonna be the top of the line, the top in the world. And it’s gonna be red, white and blue, which I think is appropriate.”
The custom presidential jets were originally designed with a red and gold color scheme, but JFK worked with a French industrial designer to create the blue color scheme we see today, according to the New England Historical Society.
The Air Force on Tuesday formally awarded Boeing a $3.9 billion fixed-price contract to design, test and deliver two presidential aircraft by 2024, a deal that had been informally reached with the president in February. A statement from the White House Office of the Press Secretary said the deal would save taxpayers more than “$1.4 billion from the initially proposed $5.3 billion cost-plus contract,” although numerous media reports had pegged the cost at closer to $4 billion, meaning a savings closer to a few hundred million dollars at most.
Although the new Air Force One jets won’t be ready until 2024, the last year of Trump’s presidency if he is re-elected, Trump wants future presidents to enjoy this new paint job for years to come.
“I hate to say this, it’s gonna be a long time,” Trump said. “It’s a very complex project. But by the time it gets built, you’re gonna have many presidents, hopefully, use it and enjoy it.”
What do you think about the idea?
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
