Aviation History: VC-137B 58-6971
One of three 707-153s bought “off-the-shelf” and converted to military use. 58-6971 was completed as a VC-137A by Boeing Aircraft of Seattle, Washington on April 7, 1959. On May 30, 1959 this aircraft was accepted by the U. S. Air Force, painted in Military Air Transport Service colors and markings and assigned to the (Special Missions) Squadron at Andrews AFB, MD. USAF procurement of the Boeing 707 was very...
Aviation History: VC-137B 58-6972
The VC-137B serial 58-6972 or same as SAM 972 had the same body as the 707-120 commercial aircraft but with different interior furnishings and electronic equipment. It was built as one of three VC-137As, Boeing model 707-153 with Pratt and Whitney JT-3 turbojets. It was delivered to the Air Force on June 30, 1959 and was redesignated VC-137B when it was refitted with JT3D turbofan jet engines in May 1963. Assigned to the 89th MAW at...
Aviation History: VC-137C 85-6974 (SAM 974)
This Boeing 707-382B (c/n 20297/836) was originally delivered to TAP Air Portugal as CS-TBF in February 1970. It was sold to Buffalo Airways as N105BV in November 1983. It was finally seized by the U.S. Government from smugglers in 1985 and turned over to the USAF in October 1985. Buffalo Airways N105BV arrived at E-Systems 30 September 1985 and departed to Andrews AFB on 24 March 1988 as C-137C 85-6974. The airplane was disassembled...
Today is Texas Independence Day
By Savannah Owens Today many Texans are celebrating the 182nd anniversary of Texas Independence Day. This official state holiday began when Texas first declared independence from Mexico on March 2nd, 1836. This occurred at the same time as the Siege of the Alamo, which started on Feburary 23rd and ended on March 6th. Santa Anna refused to recognize Texas’s independence until he was captured, about six weeks later by Sam Houston...
Area 6 FFA Convention Held for 1st Time in Sulphur Springs
The Area 6 FFA Convention was held for the first time since 1987 in Sulphur Springs on February 26 at 2:00 pm in the Civic Center Auditorium. The civic center had over 1,000 FFA youth and their guests attend. Superintendent Mike Lamb welcomed everyone before district officers gave out the following awards, that were won last spring: Proficiency Awards, Lone Star Degrees, and Star awards. Members voted on a new Area President...
Boeing 367-80 Jet Transport
On July 15, 1954, a graceful, swept-winged aircraft, bedecked in brown and yellow paint and powered by four revolutionary new engines first took to the sky above Seattle. Built by the Boeing Aircraft Company, the 367-80, better known as the Dash 80, would come to revolutionize commercial air transportation when its developed version entered service as the famous Boeing 707, America’s first jet airliner. Quickly Boeing turned its...
Two Family Friendly Fun Holidays to Celebrate Today
By Savannah Owens Start the weekend off right, by celebrating today’s obscure holidays! Here are a few holidays and deals to tide you over till Valentine’s day. National Pizza Day, as if we all needed a reason to eat more pizza. Deals: Baskin Robbins : If you want to celebrate National Pizza Day in a sweeter way, try Baskin Robbins’ new Sweetheart Polar Pizza Ice Cream treat. Stop by your local Baskin Robbins on Feb. 9...
The Special Air Mission VC-137C 85-6974 (SAM 974)
This Boeing 707-382B (c/n 20297/836) was originally delivered to TAP Air Portugal as CS-TBF in February 1970. It was sold to Buffalo Airways as N105BV in November 1983. It was finally seized by the U.S. Government from smugglers in 1985 and turned over to the USAF in October 1985. Buffalo Airways N105BV arrived at E-Systems 30 September 1985 and departed to Andrews AFB on 24 March 1988 as C-137C 85-6974. The airplane was...
You’ve Heard of Punxsatawney Phil, But Do You Know Jimmy?
By Savannah Owens Punxsatawney Phil, Buckeye Chuck, and Jimmy: that’s right, it’s Groundhog Day 2018. February 2nd, aka Groundhog day, houses an unusual but fun 132 year tradition of looking to groundhogs . Groundhog day was celebrated for the first time in Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsatawney, Pennsylvania in 1887. “According to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole on this day and sees its shadow, it gets...
Aviation History: VC-137C 85-6973 (SAM 973)
SAM 973 entered active service in Aug. 1985, when the Air Force acquired the aircraft from the United States Customs Service. The aircraft was originally built in March 1969 at the Boeing Company, in Seattle. It was constructed as a Boeing 707-396C, serial number 20043. The aircraft was built with a large cargo door on the left side of the fuselage and began service as a cargo/passenger transport. An Austrian leasing company operated...
