In 2003, Renny Doyle started the restoration work on The Museum of Flight’s Air Force One, a specially built Boeing 707-153 known as SAM (Special Air Missions) 970. This very special piece of aviation history was delivered to the United States Air Force in 1959 to be used as the first presidential jet powered aircraft. While in service, SAM 970 served Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.
Last week, July 10-15, 2023, a carefully selected team of 40 world-class detailers came together in Seattle, Washington to continue this wonderful tradition. Each team member is a volunteer. They each pay their own way to participate in the project. This includes airfare, hotel and other expenses. Plus, they step away from their own business for 8 days!
The Air Force One Detailing Team is made up of carefully selected members of The Detail Mafia, an network group of entrepreneurs within the detailing industry. Each member of The Detail Mafia has completed Renny Doyle’s Advanced 5-Day Detailing Training at Detailing Success. Detail Mafia members who wish to be selected for The Air Force One Detailing Team must have a minimum of two years of membership in the group, plus they must apply for a spot on the team.
Back in 2003, Renny saw Air Force One in a distressed state. The plane had spent the prior ten years on an open-air tarmac. In those first few years of the project, the focus was restoration. After that, the focus shifted to annual preservation and maintenance, as the Seattle climate takes its toll on the aircraft. Since the project began, innovative technology and cutting-edge products have kept the historic aircraft preserved for future generations.
Air Force One is just one part of the Museum of Flight’s ambitious preservation and restoration projects. Alongside this historic endeavor, the team focused its attention on T-Square 54, the equally historic WWII B-29 Superfortress Bomber. The Bomber is made entirely of 80-year-old aluminum. While flying sorties over the Pacific Ocean and Japan during WWII, 50-caliber bullets struck the aluminum skin of T-Square 54. The Museum of Flight rescued it after abandonment in an Arizona desert.
Other significant aircraft under the team’s care included the Concorde G-BOAG “Alpha Golf,” Boeing 727-100, a Lockheed Constellation known as “Connie” and a B-17 Bomber known as “The Boeing Bee”. This comprehensive restoration program allows visitors to witness the patriotism and dedication of the entire restoration team.
Of course none of this would be possible without the support of our detailing industry sponsors…
P&S Detail Products, Dynabrade, RoadFS by Zenware, Buff and Shine Mfg., Detailer’s Roadmap, Urable, IK Sprayers, Angelwax, GritGuard, Flex, AutoFiber, Rupes, IGL Coatings, Dr. ColorChip, Detailed Image, RaggTopp, Lake Country Mfg., SB3 Coatings, CarCandy, OrbisX, Autogeek, Onyx Coatings, Car Supplies Warehouse, Detailer’s Helper, Miami Luxe, Jim’s Auto Installations & Detailing, Hampton’s Mobile, Buff Brite, Kimball’s Hands On Detailing, Griot’s Garage
Their support and sponsorship of this enduring project makes a positive impact on the entire detailing industry and ensures these important pieces of American history will be preserved for future generations. From the bottom of our hearts, we are grateful our volunteers and our sponsors We simply could not do this without you.
