GAC06 said:

---

nortex97 said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

Not sure why you responded to me with "no not at all" then agreed that:

"Basically he wants a more luxurious 747 with his preferred paint job. We'd pay to modify it, fly it in addition to the existing jets, still take delivery of the new jets, and claim that somehow saved money."

---

Because…your post was wrong.

Let me know where you find a cost analysis to support the point you are trying to make, which I don't understand.

What I do know is that we aren't paying to fly big Mike's engorged staff to Vail/Aspen/Martha's Vineyard/Hawaii/Africa any longer to enjoy fine dining. But that was back when President Obama opposed waste in government, among other things.

Presidential travel has been, and will be, ridiculously expensive. Trump taking the free putt isn't the problem.

---

I said it will be a luxurious 747, without the capabilities of the VC-25's. You said no not at all, then said the exact same thing. Now you're posting irrelevant information to deflect, yet again.

---

Because your language/post was inaccurate.

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

The Kraken said:
How does this 747 jump ahead of getting modifications that the 2 others have been getting for years? I have to think that's not possible, so is POTUS only using this jet for travel to domestic and other destinations that are deemed safe enough to fly without the security measures the VC jets normally have? Was this even talked through?

The jet can only be gifted to the US, not to Trump. Why would the US then give the jet to a Trump library?

Sounds like he just wants an ultra luxurious ride, other considerations be damned.

---

Pretty much.

---

It's not 'jumping ahead' (in fact this would probably have zero impact on the Boeing VC-25B program) and it's not 'other considerations' (that matter, presumably) be damned. It also won't be only for domestic travel. It's been talked through. It still is being talked though, actually, from what we know. We don't know that it 'can only be gifted to the Trump library afterward.

So, pretty much…not. HTH.

Thanks Qatar, for a plane used officially and then transferred to a presidential library? mmm ok. cool

I was saying "pretty much" to this part:

" I have to think that's not possible, so is POTUS only using this jet for travel to domestic and other destinations that are deemed safe enough to fly without the security measures the VC jets normally have?"

Then I said exactly what my point was, that it will lack the capabilities of a VC-25, and will basically be a luxury 747. Then you decided to argue with me by… saying the exact same thing.

Good talk.

GAC06 said:

---

747Ag said:

---

nortex97 said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

The Kraken said:

---

How does this 747 jump ahead of getting modifications that the 2 others have been getting for years? I have to think that's not possible, so is POTUS only using this jet for travel to domestic and other destinations that are deemed safe enough to fly without the security measures the VC jets normally have? Was this even talked through?

The jet can only be gifted to the US, not to Trump. Why would the US then give the jet to a Trump library?

Sounds like he just wants an ultra luxurious ride, other considerations be damned.

---

Pretty much. There's no way the Qatari sourced jet will have the capabilities of the existing and future VC-25's (aerial refueling, EMP hardening, probably various other classified features).

Basically he wants a more luxurious 747 with his preferred paint job. We'd pay to modify it, fly it in addition to the existing jets, still take delivery of the new jets, and claim that somehow saved money.

---

No, not at all. This won't be a VC-25 anything. It will be a 748 with some secure comms. The new VC-25B's won't have the boondoggle aerial refueling built in either, as that was a grotesque waste of money. Radio's can be moved out after they are no longer needed.

Oh, and trump has now said he won't be flying on it after he is out of office.

So much TDS in the coverage of this. Trump citing Sam Snead is great "When they give you a putt, you pick it up and walk to the next hole, thank you very much."

Just like I said.

Trump said he will not be using the plane given to him by Qatar.

He's giving it to the Dept of Defense.@LauraLoomer pic.twitter.com/rDrvzBpdhf

— WayneTech SPFX®️ (@WayneTechSPFX) May 12, 2025

'Muh, well what if Trump wants to launch nukes and he's in this thing and the Qatari's are monitoring it and…'

---

Pretty much. My understanding that the VC-25B would be re-engined from its green aircraft config. Former colleague with a connection in the USAF/AFRL area mentioned the electrical system was getting upgraded as well similar to its predecessor (VC-25A: 4x 60 kVA generators to 4x 150 kVA gens)... does the VC-25B get 180's over its baseline 90 kVA machines? My guess that a new APU system is installed as well to get true/full operation in flight. Aside from the mission hardening and comms, an entirely new powerplant is a yuge retrofit.

---

Where have you heard about it being re-engined? This program description doesn't mention it that I saw. It does say they're going with two APU's.

https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/FOID/Reading%20Room/Selected_Acquisition_Reports/FY_2022_SARS/VC-25B_SAR_DEC_2022.pdf

---

It was from the same set of conversations mentioned above (~7 years ago). Perhaps I misunderstood the scope. My colleague and I are electrical systems guys and had some fun speculating on the means to upgrade the electrical system.

Qatar sold the plan in 2023. I really don't understand this nonsensical thread. Some of you need some serious help.

That is one of the most disingenuous posts I have seen in quite a while. It may be registered with Global Jet Isle of Man but it is obvious still owned/controlled by Qatar.

ts5641 said:

---

Boeing has ****ed up the new AF1 so bad we've had to go this route temporarily. What's the problem? You think Trump is going to suddenly be more sympathetic and give handouts under the table to the them?
There's nothing wrong with this.

---

If Qatar didn't think they would gain value in excess of the $400MM price tag for the jet, they probably wouldn't be giving it to him.

I talked to a friend of mine who is assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing and he said the biggest preliminary concern right now is whether or not the aircraft could even be placed into service while Trump is still in office. He said it would basically require the aircraft to be completely disassembled and rebuilt to inspect the integrity of all components and ensure there is nothing in the aircraft that poses a security risk.

But then again, there's no telling what the Administration is going to tell them to do (or not do) to get it into service.

Gordo14 said:

---

ts5641 said:

---

Boeing has ****ed up the new AF1 so bad we've had to go this route temporarily. What's the problem? You think Trump is going to suddenly be more sympathetic and give handouts under the table to the them?
There's nothing wrong with this.

---

If Qatar didn't think they would gain value in excess of the $400MM price tag for the jet, they probably wouldn't be giving it to him.

---

They've been trying to unload it since around 2018, or maybe 2020, at the latest.

As with used luxury cars, used widebody VIP transports tend to quickly lose value, and the higher end ones all the more so.

This isn't just a timeshare in the Bahama's, it costs big bucks to keep this thing from becoming just garbage. Heck, 5 years ago a 10-year old A380 (more efficient than a 748, fwiw) was only worth around $70 million. And that was for a configuration that could generate revenue for a carrier. That valuation is relevant to a bespoke 2012 747 that's been 'for sale' for going on 8+ years.

I guess the swampy thingy is over.

GAC06 said:

---

The Kraken said:

---

How does this 747 jump ahead of getting modifications that the 2 others have been getting for years? I have to think that's not possible, so is POTUS only using this jet for travel to domestic and other destinations that are deemed safe enough to fly without the security measures the VC jets normally have? Was this even talked through?

The jet can only be gifted to the US, not to Trump. Why would the US then give the jet to a Trump library?

Sounds like he just wants an ultra luxurious ride, other considerations be damned.

---

Pretty much. There's no way the Qatari sourced jet will have the capabilities of the existing and future VC-25's (aerial refueling, EMP hardening, probably various other classified features).

Basically he wants a more luxurious 747 with his preferred paint job. We'd pay to modify it, fly it in addition to the existing jets, still take delivery of the new jets, and claim that somehow saved money.

---

It's already been said that the two VC 25s in the works currently WILL NOT have air refueling capability. It was listed as an expensive option that's never been used other than demonstration purposes. They also said the only options that this plane won't have is the forward and aft air stairs. This 747-8 already has avoidance capabilities including chaff deployment. It also has the same level of electromagnetic and radiation shielding in place. They said the biggest challenge will be the SECCOMS installation.

infinity ag said:

---

I am sure the jet is bugged.

---

I'm sure it will be swept for bugs before use.

Quote:

---

They also said the only options that this plane won't have is the forward and aft air stairs. This 747-8 already has avoidance capabilities including chaff deployment. It also has the same level of electromagnetic and radiation shielding in place.

---

Do you have a source for this?

Heck just use it to fly democrats around in.

Nonregdrummer09 said:

---

ABC EXCLUSIVE: President Trump is poised to accept a luxury jet as a gift from Qatar.

It’s to be used as Air Force One and then transferred to the Trump library by January 2029.

Perhaps the biggest foreign gift ever. DOJ insists it’s legal, not bribery, not violation of…

— Jonathan Karl (@jonkarl) May 11, 2025

Surely we are not ok with this right? A foreign power giving such an important state vehicle to the President? Never mind the Constitutional implications, what about state security?

There's a lot of things that I think Trump does well, but his biggest weakness are people playing to his ego.

---

The first thing that comes to mind is the question of how much retrofitting would it take to bring it up to specs required for Air Force One and how long that would take.

I would imagine that the entire interior would have to be completely revamped to cover everything needed in Air Force One. Plus, all the electronics and defense systems required.

And there is, of course, price. It wouldn't be at all surprising if the cost of the aircraft was considerably less than the retrofitting costs.

I remember Trump wanting to cancel the new Air Force Ones being built. I guess he didn't actually do that, though.

Gordo14 said:

---

ts5641 said:

---

Boeing has ****ed up the new AF1 so bad we've had to go this route temporarily. What's the problem? You think Trump is going to suddenly be more sympathetic and give handouts under the table to the them?
There's nothing wrong with this.

---

If Qatar didn't think they would gain value in excess of the $400MM price tag for the jet, they probably wouldn't be giving it to him.

---

I think libs need to close their piehole on that topic; you know, glass houses and all. Biden sold the WH for PERSONAL millions!

TriAg2010 said:

---

ts5641 said:

---

Boeing has ****ed up the new AF1 so bad we've had to go this route temporarily. What's the problem? You think Trump is going to suddenly be more sympathetic and give handouts under the table to the them?
There's nothing wrong with this.

---

1.) If we really need the jet, then the USAF should buy or lease it for a reasonable consideration. I'll wait for further confirmation this story is true, because it was originally reported that the USAF was going to pay for the jet. It would be beyond the pale to accept it as a gift.

2.) Yes, Trump has shown to be easily influenced.

---

Don't they always have two pretty much identical aircraft?

So they would then have to get another.

And retrofit both of them.

I read that the one being offered is something like thirteen years old. If they want an identical aircraft, would that be thirteen years old as well?

fredfredunderscorefred said:

---

GAC06 said:

---

Who is going to do the necessary modifications for it to serve as AF1? We already have two 747-8's and the modifications are what's driving the delays.

Also only having one has obvious problems when it's down for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. That's why we have two VC-25's (the current 747's in service).

If the plan is to keep them too (as would probably be necessary) this is even more of a boondoggle to accept a free plane for Trump's "foundation".

---

The company L3Harris is doing the retrofit

https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/us-tasked-l3harris-ready-interim-presidential-plane-by-year-end-wsj-says-2025-05-01/

---

They would have to scrap the current retrofit and start over from scratch.

I wonder how long the design work would take just to get ready to start a retrofit for Air Force One. One year? Two years?

And the idea of then making it the library plane is laughable. At that point, it wouldn't need the billions of dollars of additional systems.

Perhaps they should accept the aircraft, as is, park it until 2028, and then use it to haul the former President around. Wouldn't take much, if any, additional retrofitting then.

The two VC-25B's were orinally ordered in 2011 but never delivered to a now defunct airline. They are not cancelled, they are still coming 2027 at the earliest depending on who you believe.

This plane would supposedly only be used (along with the VC-25A's) until the B's arrive.

GAC06 said:

---

The two VC-25B's were orinally ordered in 2011 but never delivered to a now defunct airline. They are not cancelled, they are still coming 2027 at the earliest depending on who you believe.

This plane would supposedly only be used (along with the VC-25A's) until the B's arrive.

---

Thanks. I had thought the new ones had been cancelled, but I was wrong about that.

I'm curious what they would use this one for unless we no longer need all the communications and defensive capabilities.

ABC Fake News is a complete disaster and President Trump just put another Boot in their Butt 😆😆😆 pic.twitter.com/tNu6Dlo7dQ

— Beard Vet (@Beard_Vet) May 12, 2025

teaching in parables

BadMoonRisin said:

---

ABC Fake News is a complete disaster and President Trump just put another Boot in their Butt 😆😆😆 pic.twitter.com/tNu6Dlo7dQ

— Beard Vet (@Beard_Vet) May 12, 2025

---

Lol this will surely trigger some of the liberal male feminists on this thread. There will never be another like him.

Damn son. MSM must enjoy getting their teeth kicked in by Trump on a daily basis.

GAC06 said:

---

Quote:

---

They also said the only options that this plane won't have is the forward and aft air stairs. This 747-8 already has avoidance capabilities including chaff deployment. It also has the same level of electromagnetic and radiation shielding in place.

---

Do you have a source for this?

---

Yeah I posted a video twice already

The video stated that those features exist on the current VC-25A's then speculated about whether they'd forgo them on the Qatari jet.

Nonregdrummer09 said:

---

BigRobSA said:

---

Don't heads of state give each other things all of the time?

But, yes, even with that...this is really bad optics.

---

Not a luxury plane to be used as the primary executive transportation

---

So the item is broken down in our laws?

The beauty in Trump's golf/gimme analogy is that you can still hit the putt after you accept the gift, and if you miss (or make) that putt is still good.

Ag with kids said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

I am sure the jet is bugged.

---

I'm sure it will be swept for bugs before use.

---

There are over 1 million parts in a 747. If it is bugged with some type of electronics it would take a complete dismantling of the plane to find it

Im confused; is the plane actually coming from Qatar, or are they just offering to pay for it?

bonfarr said:

---

Ag with kids said:

---

infinity ag said:

---

I am sure the jet is bugged.

---

I'm sure it will be swept for bugs before use.

---

There are over 1 million parts in a 747. If it is bugged with some type of electronics it would take a complete dismantling of the plane to find it

---

I doubt that it would have to be completely dismantled.

We DO have some quite high tech equipment.

I do understand a little about airplanes, too...

SgtStiglitz said:

---

Donald Trump in 2017: Qatar has been a funder of terrorism at a very high level.

Today: Accepts a $400 million jet from Qatar, praises its leadership, and is set to visit it as one of the first countries in his second term while his family builds a luxury golf resort there.

Turns out terrorism's not a problem if the price is right.

---

Ok...and?

Quote:

---

Mr. Obama said. "And the 1980s are now calling to ask for their foreign policy back because, you know, the Cold War's been over for 20 years."

---

I guess we know why the Russians are so emboldened now, right?

What were Obama's and Clinton's price?