Here’s something that you never really run across eBay or Craigslist: the real Air Force One aeroplane. As in the freaking flying aircraft that has freaking transported freaking Presidents of the freaking United States of America in the freaking air. Let’s buy this thing, people!
The starting bid for the plane is at $US50,000 (yeah, you’re not going to win an aeroplane auction with that chump change) and the auction starts on May 15. The GSA says:
In the 30 years this aircraft was assigned to the 89th Airlift Wing (Feb 1975-Sep 2005) it flew Presidential missions, Vice President, First Lady, Cabinet Secretaries (Secretary of State, Secretary of defence, others), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, Four-Star Generals, Admirals, Foreign Heads of State and other foreign dignitaries.
The plane is a McDonnell Douglas DC9-32 with the tail number N681AL, serial number 731681 and is currently sitting at the Phoenix/Mesa Gateway Airport. To be honest, it looks kind of rundown. Sweaty press, flirtatious interns and powerful Presidents can do that to you, I guess. No word if you can just pick it up yourself. [GSA Auctions via Ori Hoffer]