President Harry S. Truman's presidential transport.

When "Sacred Cow", VC-54C was wearing out from the rigors of use, President Truman sought a faster, new transport. "The Independence" as it would be known started life as DC-6, no. 29 on the assembly line for American Airlines. AA scarified once of its aircraft for the President, which more than likely explains why this DC-6 was one of the few that used Curtiss Electric propellers (American used CE props on their DC-6's for a while). The plane was custom modified for the President, including sleeping bunks, a galley, lounge, and seating for 28 people. She was the first pressurized presidential transport, also featuring modified fuel tanks for extra range.

The Independence was originally envisioned to only serve Truman for a short time, as the feeling in 1948 was that Thomas Dewey, Republican candidate in the 1948 election would easily defeat Truman. A VC-121B Constellation was rushed to completion with the idea that it would become the next transport, named "Dewdrop" for Dewey. But Truman won the election and the Independence continued as presidential transport until Truman left office in January 1953. The C-118 continued flying VIP's until being retired in 1966 and flown to the NMUSAF, who restored the plane back to its original markings and interior in the 1970's.