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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/02/trumps-new-air-force-one-planes-could-come-from-bankrupt-russian-airline
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| New Air Force One planes could come from bankrupt Russian airline | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The US Air Force is about to buy two mothballed Boeing 747s that were abandoned by a bankrupt Russian airline – and convert these into the next Air Force One, a source has claimed. | The US Air Force is about to buy two mothballed Boeing 747s that were abandoned by a bankrupt Russian airline – and convert these into the next Air Force One, a source has claimed. |
| The sale could save the Air Force millions of dollars, and comes after Donald Trump said in December that the Air Force One replacement project costs were “ridiculous.” | The sale could save the Air Force millions of dollars, and comes after Donald Trump said in December that the Air Force One replacement project costs were “ridiculous.” |
| Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the deal told AFP that Boeing was set to sell a pair of 747-8 jetliners to the Air Force. | Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source close to the deal told AFP that Boeing was set to sell a pair of 747-8 jetliners to the Air Force. |
| Air Force One is actually two planes – one for the president and a spare. | Air Force One is actually two planes – one for the president and a spare. |
| The planes had initially been ordered in 2013 by Russian airline Transaero but the firm went bust in 2015. | The planes had initially been ordered in 2013 by Russian airline Transaero but the firm went bust in 2015. |
| “We’re still working toward a deal to provide two 747-8s to the Air Force,” Boeing told AFP. | “We’re still working toward a deal to provide two 747-8s to the Air Force,” Boeing told AFP. |
| “This deal is focused on providing a great value for the Air Force and the best price for the taxpayer.” | “This deal is focused on providing a great value for the Air Force and the best price for the taxpayer.” |
| A final deal could be announced in the coming weeks. | A final deal could be announced in the coming weeks. |
| According to the Defense One news website, which first reported the deal, Transaero had initially ordered four Boeing jets before it went bankrupt. | According to the Defense One news website, which first reported the deal, Transaero had initially ordered four Boeing jets before it went bankrupt. |
| Boeing had flight-tested two of the jets and they are now housed at the Southern California Logistics Airport, Defense One said. | Boeing had flight-tested two of the jets and they are now housed at the Southern California Logistics Airport, Defense One said. |
| The huge Mojave Desert facility is hot and dry, so airplanes there do not suffer corrosion. | The huge Mojave Desert facility is hot and dry, so airplanes there do not suffer corrosion. |
| Converting a pair of 747-8 jumbo jets to state-of-the-art luxury command centres by 2022 has been estimated to cost $3.2bn, but overruns and delays could push the price tag higher. | Converting a pair of 747-8 jumbo jets to state-of-the-art luxury command centres by 2022 has been estimated to cost $3.2bn, but overruns and delays could push the price tag higher. |
| Boeing sells 747-8s at about $390m apiece, but defensive technologies, fancy interiors and other enhancements would massively add to the overall cost. | Boeing sells 747-8s at about $390m apiece, but defensive technologies, fancy interiors and other enhancements would massively add to the overall cost. |
| It remains to be seen if the Air Force will struggle with the optics of using formerly Russia-destined planes to become the flagship carrier of US presidents and an emblem of US power projection. | It remains to be seen if the Air Force will struggle with the optics of using formerly Russia-destined planes to become the flagship carrier of US presidents and an emblem of US power projection. |