DefenseNew presidential aircraft paint scheme revived under Trump
The United States will reinstate a redesigned paint scheme for its presidential and executive transport aircraft, reviving a color pattern first proposed during President Donald Trump’s first term in office. The updated livery, built around darker blue and red tones with white accents, will replace the long-standing light blue design associated with Air Force One.
Trump had unveiled a model of the proposed scheme years ago, but the plan was later set aside. The earlier version was dropped in 2022 after technical assessments raised concerns about heat absorption and potential impacts on engineering requirements, schedule and cost.
The current paint scheme dates back to the early 1960s, when it was introduced under President John F. Kennedy. Its distinctive light blue and white fuselage has since become one of the most recognizable aircraft liveries in the world and has remained in use across successive presidential aircraft generations.
The new design will extend beyond the future Air Force One jets to include the C-32 fleet, the military variant of the Boeing 757-200 used to transport senior U.S. officials. These aircraft carry the vice president, cabinet members, lawmakers and other high-ranking personnel, and operate under the call sign Air Force Two when the vice president is on board.
One C-32 has already been repainted in the revised colors and was recently observed in flight, providing the first public glimpse of the new scheme on an operational aircraft. The remaining jets are expected to adopt the design as they rotate through scheduled maintenance cycles.
The repainting effort coincides with broader changes to the presidential airlift fleet. The Air Force is preparing to introduce new aircraft to replace the aging VC-25A planes that have served since 1990.
https://twitter.com/Tt33operator/status/2023553568004076014
As an interim measure, a Boeing 747-8 previously operated by the Qatari government is undergoing refurbishment for potential presidential use. The aircraft was accepted by the United States in 2025 and is being modified for executive transport duties, with entry into service expected as early as this summer.
At the same time, Boeing continues converting two 747-8 aircraft into VC-25B jets under a fixed-price contract awarded in 2018. The agreement was valued at $3.9 billion. Program costs have since exceeded $5 billion, and delivery of the new aircraft is now projected for 2028 after several years of delay.
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Ricardo Meier
Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.
