Air Force One...

[petermcleland]

This is an artists impression of the new Air Force One, which will be ready in 2018. It is a Boeing 747-8

[Chris Trott]

It will be interesting to see if they keep the long hump or not. The current VC-25A has the short hump (747-200 fuse with 747-300 engines and landing gear) because they didn't need that much space "upstairs" even though they could have gotten the 747-300 (with the long hump). As the 747-8F is built with the short hump, it's not exactly a "custom" item that would substantially increase the cost.

[Paul K]

I'm betting on the long hump. It's not going to look good, arriving for a state visit in a short hump.

[cstorey]

It's not going to look good anyway, arriving for a state visit in what is in any event a near 50 year old design !

[petermcleland]

Well I think Air Force One has always looked beautiful and at least it won't be made of plastic. It is a great design, even if half a Century old...If it ain't broke...

[cstorey]

Oh well , Peter, I agree it's a handsome looking beast particularly from underneath, but I remember a friend of mine being "promoted" from the DC10 to the 747 and saying that he felt as though he'd stepped back 20 years - but that with the 747 on his licence he didn't think he'd ever be out of a job

[Vancouver]

I agree, a beautiful and iconic aircraft. I'm glad they stuck with the 747. There was talk of ........ Airbus .... hush my mouth.