SAM 970, the first jet powered Air Force One, "QUEENIE"

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 07:42

SAM (Special Air Mission) 970, "QUEENIE," is the first JET powered Air Force one. It is currently on display out doors at the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington. She had been retired in 1996.

The museum understands regular maintenance of the paint and bright work will perserve the craft so a call to MOL member Renny Doyle was made.

This would be the second or third time Renny had worked on the plane.

Renny Doyle, of Attenion to Details, hand picked a crew of about 20 independent detailers from across the United States to perform the job.

The paint and aluminum was oxidized and this baby was huge so we had our work cut out for us.

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 07:44

On our first day we had rain! Heavy at times but light most of the day.

What can we do in the rain........wax under the wings and belly of course!

We waxed Queenie with an aircraft safe certified product from Shell Flight Jacket.

Custom Detail · 08-25-08, 07:54

where's the safety glasses

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 08:12

We then wrapped the painted areas with plastic sheeting. We will do some heavy metal polishing and the plastic will protect the paint from the metal polishing splatter.

Then we got started on the metal (aluminum) polishing. We did a five step on the aluminum. Three steps included rotary polish with the last two being cyclo polishing.

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 08:16

We are at about day three now. We are still fighting the rain but at least it isn't hot out!!

While the last few metal polishing steps are being done (and when the rain lets us) we peeled off the plastic and start polishing paint.

Here is what we had to work on-

Here you can see the differance between the polished and unpolished sides.

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 08:18

The last two days of the project the sun finally came out. We had an awesome group to work with an everybody kicked it up into top gear and got to SHINING!!

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 08:19

The last day was beautiful. What a great day to end the project on. We polished up everything up just right and made sure we didn't leave anything less than satisfactory.

You can really start to appreciate the shine Queenie now wears.

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 08:22

Then it was time to enjoy the shine and take pics of the work we did.....

Superior Fine · 08-25-08, 08:23

Heart felt gratitude goes out to Seattle's Museum of Flight, Renny Doyle and the first class crew of detailers I, "Superior Shine," had the pleasure to work with.

michakaveli · 08-25-08, 08:33

Priceless!

tdekany · 08-25-08, 08:47

Not a fan of airplanes, but what an amazing job that is!!!!

SpoiledMan · 08-25-08, 09:05

Absolutely awesome and one of a kind!