Officially commissioned as presidential aircraft in July 1947, "The Independence" carried President Truman to Wake Island in October 1950 to discuss the Korean situation with General MacArthur. In May 1953 it was taken out of presidential service and was transferred to the MATS at Bolling AFB, Washington DC, later moving to Andrews AFB and McDill AFB. In 1964 it was transferred to TAC as a command support aircraft and in July 1966 was flown to Wright Field for storage pending museum construction. My 1973 photo shows it displayed outside in final service markings

Seen outside in the TAC markings in which it finished its service career, before restoration in Presidential colours as "The independence" (as per my upload from December 2024)

By Apr '47: Completed; modifications for presidential use included extra fuel tanks for range of 4400 miles, three closely-spaced windows on starboard side for stateroom; it could carry 25 passengers. Jul '47: TOS USAF. Oct'50: Most historic flight when President Truman flew to Wake Island to discuss the Korean situation with Gen. MacArthur. May'53: Retired as the President's plane and assigned to Special Air Mission flights. 1965: Retired and flown to Patterson Field, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH for display at the Air Force Museum.

On display in the Presidential Gallery at NMUSAF. This aircraft replaced FDR's VC-54 "Sacred Cow" on 4 July 1947 as the air transport for President Harry S. Truman. Named "The Independence" after Truman's hometown of Independence, Missouri, the aircraft featured many improvements including reversible pitch propellers, weather radar, autopilot and larger fuel tanks. The aircraft was retired from presidential service in May 1953. It went on display in the museum in 1965.

President Truman flying over flooded area. Note improper serial presentation on the presidential aircraft - the tail number should read 6505 according to the rules. Photo from: George Skadding / Life

This was the first DC-6 procured by the USAF and was initially used as the presidential aircraft. Seen here after retirement and before restoration in presidential-style markings.