Guided tour around the first American Presidential plane - the 'Sacred Cow'

Join me in this detailed tour around the first air force one, the Douglas VC-54C “Sacred Cow” based on the C-54 Skymaster and Douglas DC-4. This is on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton Ohio.

Thumbnail photo credit: National Museum of the US Air Force

Other videos:

0:00 intro
0:30 Theodore Roosevelt Wright Flyer
0:44 Douglas Dolphin amphibian RD-2
1:03 Boeing 314 flying boat
1:25 Consolidated C-87A
2:00 Douglas VC-54C
2:52 cockpit and crew
4:56 cabin fuel tanks
6:25 presidential section
7:20 electric elevator
7:45 President Harry S. Truman
8:45 Air Force One name
9:48 Douglas DC-4 and C-54
10:25 V-12 powered Canadair North Star

[newflyer]

You know it's going to be a good day when there's another Paul Stewart upload. Youtube's premier aviation tour guide. No fluff, heaps of facts but not too long.

[ClarkHuman]

What a treat. I live near here and visit at least once a month. Paul makes it so much more interesting and fun. I learn so much. I'm so glad to be a Member here. Thank You Paul.

[michaelhayden]

Thanks for the clarification as to which was the first "real" Air Force One. Cheers

[ExUSSailor]

The C-54 was such a good looking airplane!

[Kpar]

Aah, great memories! Excellent job, as usual, Paul.

[Travelsbydreamer]

Great to see all the old tech on display, great job mate!

[markbuckley]

Another great video. Paul’s videos are always a must watch!

[captwrecked]

There were still sextant ports on the E-3 Sentry when I crewed aboard. Seldom used though outside of training.

[SaturnCanuck]

That was great Paul. Technically, "Air Force One" is the radio call sign for any aircraft carrying the Present. So, technically, it could be a Piper Cub.

[Rwlp_PhotoGraphy]

Always a good night when Paul uploads great video Paul ❤

[zackaryshipard]

Another great vid keep up the great work

[MrMuppetbaby]

I have been a subscriber for over a year now I'm sure and I love your in depth style and thoughtful choice of aircraft we are all interested in. I learn something and have an entertaining time always watching them. I am always wowed by aircraft museums and the history. I'm a student pilot that ran outta money but sure loved the little flying I did. ha ha. Thanks for all the hard work. I am a retired professional video editor and i realize the effort involved. Best to you Paul and keep up the great work! Tod in Las Vegas. :)

[loveisall]

Great video! FDR is a hero of mine and this is a great airplane.

[andrewmorris]

My shoulders are wide and I visited it once. I tried turning around to look behind me and got stuck between the window panel things. It took me a small amount of work to get unstuck, but luckily nobody was around to see me flapping my arms around inside the Sacred Cow for a few seconds.

[curly]

That would be a fascinating aviation museum to visit.

[AC_]

You know, I never knew this aircraft had an elevator for FDR!

[thunderbird]

Very interesting. I actually didn't realize that FDR and Truman had a specially-built presidential plane! I long thought Eisenhower was the first to have one with the "Columbine II" (AKA the first Air Force One).

[Extraperson]

I once walked through that air plane, wright padderson Air Force base

[Ilovefotz]

The air force chooses* its hotels by the stars.

[WAL_DC-B]

Where was the VC-54 "Sacred Cow" built? Douglas-Santa Monica or Douglas-Chicago (Park Ridge, IL)?