torrid said:

---

nortex97 said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

VC-25B Bridge (Qatari bribery spy plane) is scheduled to be debuted around July 4th.

Not sure if will fly Trump. I would think it's got more testing to do and would be confined to domestic service (just my speculation), but the photo op should be there.

---

It will almost certainly fly Trump around starting this summer. Modifications were completed/flight testing before painting @ L3 Harris facility in Waco (I think) started last month.

I'd expect it to roll out in the next couple weeks and do a fly-over for sure @ America 250 in DC next month (will be based at Andrews). Will be the first of more than a dozen 747-8i's in USAF service, including VC-25B's, spares, and E-4C aircraft, so pilot/maintenance technician training etc. will be key. Other VIP aircraft including 737's and 757's, corporate jets have already been painted in the new livery.

---

The airport near me has long runways and little traffic, so it is used for touch-and-goes with Air Force One all the time (OK, VC-25A since no president is on board). A couple of weeks about, local plane spotters got excited when a plain white 747 appeared at the airport doing the same.

Everyone thought it might be one of the VC-25Bs, specifically the Qatari gift plane. Turns out it was an -8i the Air Force had acquired specifically for training.

---

You are on notice to get the pics to TexAgs when the Bridge aka Quid Pro One is practicing!

For Nortex, I had read the same just hedging that some goon in the AF or some lib judge will say Trump cannot ride on it because its not certified to avoid rare birds that may be attracted to the new paint scheme and ingested in these unproven Qatari engines.

Remember, no logic or rationale or reasonableness need apply when it comes to keeping Trump and America from having nice things.

For me, I think it will look awesome and brings us forward. JFK was 60 years ago and if it was God's plan for him to get 2 full terms then he would have had JFK duck or turn his head like he did for Trump.

God Bless America and Donald John Trump!

Agree with Coop.

YOU SIR HAVE AN ASSIGNMENT!!!

Nice to see some people and organizations are still celebrating America.

ts5641 said:

---

Nice to see some people and organizations are still celebrating America.

---

See official *****America 250**** thread. I need to bump it up.

I encourage ALL of us who love America to push the celebrations. Congratulate Trump on fixing fountains and reflecting pools rather than attack him trying to parlay it into a boondoggle. Enjoy the UFC fight and not say it's a re-creation of slave fights that never happened (very rare boxing matches - its generally not a great idea to have your valuable assets fight each other to the death).

Get out there, light some firecrackers and wave the Stars & Stripes.

I'll try, but I've been trying to get a trophy shot for years with no luck.

It seems the plane is currently being painted in Waco? I imagine it will be flown to Andrew AFB under cover of darkness to prevent any sort of premature reveal.

nortex97 said:

---

flown-the-coop said:

---

VC-25B Bridge (Qatari bribery spy plane) is scheduled to be debuted around July 4th.

Not sure if will fly Trump. I would think it's got more testing to do and would be confined to domestic service (just my speculation), but the photo op should be there.

---

It will almost certainly fly Trump around starting this summer. Modifications were completed/flight testing before painting @ L3 Harris facility in Waco (I think) started last month.

I'd expect it to roll out in the next couple weeks and do a fly-over for sure @ America 250 in DC next month (will be based at Andrews). Will be the first of more than a dozen 747-8i's in USAF service, including VC-25B's, spares, and E-4C aircraft, so pilot/maintenance technician training etc. will be key. Other VIP aircraft including 737's and 757's, corporate jets have already been painted in the new livery.

---

More info about the gifted plane in this video around the 13:00 mark.

torrid said:

---

I'll try, but I've been trying to get a trophy shot for years with no luck.

It seems the plane is currently being painted in Waco? I imagine it will be flown to Andrew AFB under cover of darkness to prevent any sort of premature reveal.

---

I follow a DC-area press photographer on YouTube, and he was chasing a rumor of just what I speculated. Supposedly the Qatari 747 was flown in late at night over the weekend, being kept out of sight in a hangar.

BNSF RR isn't doing anything?

flown-the-coop said:

---

All the airlines on down to even JSX are debuting their America 250 liveries.

---

THIS...

Is ****ing AWESOME!!!!

AJ02 said:

---

BNSF RR isn't doing anything?

---

Ask and ye shall receive

Quote:

---

Each locomotive, specially painted by Mid-America Car, Inc. in Kansas City, Missouri, proudly features our nation's red, white and blue colors and the America250 logo. The locomotives feature a nod to the Preamble to the United States Constitution with the words, "We the People." The trailing end of the locomotives includes the words "Freedom and Liberty" on either side, with the circle of stars on the tail, paying tribute to the Betsy Ross flag.

These three historic locomotives will travel BNSF's 32,500-mile rail network for special events, while joining the rest of the BNSF fleet to deliver the nation's freight for the customers and communities we serve across the supply chain.

BNSF Press Release

---

Kansas City Canadian Pacific... Pretty sure this is the (now former Kansas City southern?)

Quote:

---

CPKC Press Release

"This locomotive, built and painted in Fort Worth, Texas, honours the remarkable and proud history of America as we prepare to mark the nation's 250th anniversary," said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. "As a U.S. Army veteran, I am proud to join my 6,000 fellow railroaders living and working across America in celebrating the contributions of all Americans throughout our history. Together, we join the nation in looking forward with vision and hope to the accomplishments of generations yet to come."

KCS 1776, a new Tier 4 ET44AC locomotive from Wabtec's Fort Worth manufacturing facility, is the first of five such locomotives that will bear the commemorative America 250 livery. It features Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue colours as well as the logo of America250, the national nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. Other features include graphic representations of the Declaration of Independence opening phrase "In Congress" and the famous first words of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, as well as 13 stars encircling the date July 4, 1776.

---