A military version of the Lockheed Model 1329, the C-140 Jetstar is a light jet transport originally intended for the civilian market in the 1960s. The US Air Force purchased 17 of these aircraft and assigned 11 of them to Military Airlift Command for operational support airlifts. The remaining six flew as (V)C-140Bs on special government and White House airlift missions.
Lockheed manufactured the C-140B on display in 1963. In 1966, the US Air Force stationed the airframe at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, and then transferred it to the 89th Military Airlift (Special Air Mission) Wing. It served President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson until 1977. Whenever the president was aboard, the aircraft flew under the call sign of “Air Force One.” In 1992, the Hill Aerospace Museum acquired the aircraft, and it underwent restoration to reflect its time as part of the presidential fleet.
Did you know that Hill Aerospace Museum staff had no idea this was an Air Force One when they obtained it? When museum staff first received this JetStar, the paint scheme had nothing on it to indicate the true nature of its prior service. As the restoration crew sanded down layers of paint during restoration, they discovered a shadow of the presidential seal. Further research on the original tail number brought to light its prior service as President Johnson’s jet.
This aircraft is on loan from the U.S. Air Force Heritage Program.
Serial Number: 62-4201
Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation
Primary Function: Presidential Transport
Crew: Four (plus 8 passengers)
Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney J60-P-5 turbojets
Wingspan: 53 ft 8.5 in
Length: 60 ft 6 in
Height: 20 ft 6 in
Weight: 22,500 lbs (empty); 41,000 pounds (maximum takeoff weight)
Speed: 526 mph (cruising); 598 mph (maximum)
Range: 2,200 miles
Service Ceiling: 45,000 feet
Armament: None
Cost: $1,771,000
Years of Service: 1961 – 1980s
The C-140B was manufactured by Lockheed Corporation in Georgia and delivered to the USAF in July 1963. The aircraft was first sent to the 1254th Air Transport Wing at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland where it remained until January 1966. From there it was transferred to the 89th Military Airlift (Special Air Mission) Wing at the same base. The 89th SAM Wing provides transportation for the President and cabinet-level VIPs. The aircraft at Hill Aerospace Museum was assigned to President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Claudia Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson.
In June 1972, the C-140B was re-designated as a VC-140B and in the summer of 1977, was relocated to Germany to serve with the 435th Tactical Airlift Wing. In February 1978, the aircraft was re-designated and reconfigured back to a C-140B and moved to the 58th Military Airlift Squadron at Ramstein. In March 1982, the 89th Military Airlift Wing acquired the aircraft again and kept it until January 1987, when it was returned to the 58th.
The C-140 returned to the United States in October 1987 and served with the 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing and 1467th Facilities Checking Squadron at Scott Air Force Base. The aircraft was used to check aircraft instrument landing systems, which is a tough job for any plane, and after a left-wing spar cracked, the aircraft was sent to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base for storage in January 1989.
Hill Aerospace Museum acquired the JetStar in January 1992 for static display at the museum. While closing the air stair door, some white paint flaked off and we discovered the one-of-a-kind, Air Force blue paint that indicates Presidential usage. The 89th SAM Wing at Andrews Air Force Base inspected and confirmed that the aircraft was used by both President Johnson and Lady Bird extensively. The aircraft was repainted in Presidential livery and put on display.
A light, high-speed transport aircraft used by the United States Air Force for VIP transportation, including use as a primary presidential aircraft for Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan. During these flights, the aircraft was referred to as “Air Force One.”
Originally developed in the late 50s, the JetStar was made by Lockheed Corporation from 1961–1980.
By the late 80s, the popular Gulfstream and Learjet aircraft began replacing the aging JetStar.
