Bush Foundation calls to exhibit retiring Boeing VC-25A Air Force One plane in museum

The George and Barbara Bush Foundation has asked that an Air Force One plane set for retirement in 2025 be permanently exhibited at the late president's museum at Texas A&M.

If approved, the US Air Force would permanently loan the Boeing VC-25A to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station, Texas, the Houston Chronicle reported. Bush died November 30 at age 94, just months after the death of former first lady Barbara Bush, his wife of 73 years.

"He had such a personal history with flying and that plane. He loved the plane," said Jim McGrath, vice president of the Bush Foundation and the couple's primary representative in their final years.

Air Force One was introduced during World War II to ensure the president's safe passage. The plane targeted for the presidential library was brought into service in 1990, during George H.W. Bush's presidency.

The 41st president was particularly happy about the plan to house the aircraft at his museum after he was shown renderings of the glass building that would encase it.

He "was very excited about it," said David Jones, the president of the foundation. "I just remember him beaming. He just thought it was a wonderful idea."

If approved and once declassified, the aircraft could be on display as soon as 2026. Jones said visitors to the museum and library's 90-acre (36 hectares) grounds would have the opportunity to board the plane.

Heather Wilson, the secretary of the Air Force, said in an email to the newspaper that the Bush Foundation's request was under review.

The Air Force is "committed to honouring and preserving the historical significance of the aircraft," she wrote.