"They" wanted something that had established a decent safety record. The 747-400 was an option but it was brand new and they didn't want to risk the President's safety on an unproven type. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Stanley Powroznik" <avialot@xxxxxxxxx> To: <AIRLINE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2003 11:40 PM Subject: VC-25A's, why not the 747-400 airframe ? > I was always curious as to why the basic 747-200 airframe was chosen for the two VC-25A's and not the updated with the newer 747-400 airframe considering that both VC-25A's flew for the first time in 1990 while the very first 747-400 made its maiden flight a year or two before and put into commercial service with PW4000 engines by Northwest Airlines. > > The 747-400 airframe already existed, so why not using this airframe for both VC-25A's ?