This was one of two Bell Model 47J Rangers purchased in 1957 for use by President Eisenhower. While it was usually the other (57-2729) that flew the President, this one carried his physician and a Secret Service agent. In March 1962 it was removed from presidential service but was employed to carry high-ranking Department of Defense personnel and several foreign dignitaries till retired to the museum in July 1967 where it is now displayed the the fourth building's Presidential Gallery

The US Air Force bought two Bell 47 Ranger helicopters for Presidential use. On July 12, 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower became the first President to use a helicopter while in office. They were standard Rangers except for the blue tinted bubble for sun protection, military radios and a rotor brake for quicker shutdowns. Both machines are on display, this one in Dayton and 57-2729 at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Washington.