The VC-9C is a version of the Douglas DC-9 aircraft which was produced for the US Air Force and specially fitted to serve as an executive transport for high-ranking politicians and foreign dignitaries. It featured a top speed of 580 MPH, 3,000 ft/min rate of climb and 37,000 ft service ceiling. This VC-9C has extended range fuel tanks and was also the first to have a special communications suite installed for the vice president and has a range of 2,900 miles.
There were three VC-9C aircraft. This artwork depicts VC-9C tail number 73-1682. It was in service from 1975 until 2011. It typically served as Air Force Two transporting Vice Presidents Walter Mondale, George H.W. Bush, Dan Quayle, Al Gore and Dick Cheney. It also carried First Ladies Rosalynn Carter, Nancy Reagan, Barbara Bush, Hillary R. Clinton, and Laura Bush.
The VC-9C was sometimes needed to transport presidents into smaller airports. On these occasions it would have been serving as Air Force One. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush all flew aboard this aircraft.
Queen Elizabeth II of England also flew aboard 73-1682.
The aircraft is preserved today at the air Mobility Command Museum at Dover AFB in Delaware.