Independence
(Photo: USAF Museum)
On July 4, 1947 the C-54C "Sacred Cow"
Presidential aircraft was replaced with a version of the Douglas DC-6 commercial airliner
(military designation VC-118). This new presidential aircraft was named
"Independence" after then President Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri.
The converted DC-6 includes a stateroom in the aft area
and a main cabin area with seating for 24 passengers which could be converted to 12
Sleeper berths.
President Truman used this aircraft when
he visited
General Douglas Macarthur on Wake Island in October 1950.
The Independence served as the presidential aircraft for
nearly six years and then was used as a VIP transport by the Air Force until 1965.
It is currently on display as part of the presidential aircraft section of the USAF Museum
and was restored with it's Presidential "eagle" paint scheme in 1977-78.
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 117 ft. 6 in.
Length: 100 ft. 7 in.
Height: 28 ft. 5 in.
Weight: 93,200 lbs. max.
Armament: None
Engines: Four Pratt & Whitney
R-2800s of 2,400 hp. ea. (with water injection)
Cost: $1,180,000
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 360 mph.
Cruising speed: 320 mph.
Range: 4,400 miles
Service Ceiling: 31,200
ft.
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