Originally Posted by skyactiv
Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
The used 747 AirForceOnes retiring would make great airliners if re-fitted. The maintenance has been phenomenal on those. Airlines around the world might want them.
Cant be done and is a bad idea from a national security standpoint. For one, the whole inside of the plane is probably shielded with lead to shield the occupants from a nucular attack.
You're saying there might be a special coating on the inside and/or outside? That'd be fine. If I was flying any airline, I'd want to be protected from radiation.... No kidding it would be good for the extra cosmic rays you get on high-altitude airplanes like that, I'm not joking.
I think they could strip it of all the secret stuff. It would cost. But those are very nice extra-cared-for 747's. Strip'em and replace some external panels where some special antenna was poking through.
Would it be worth it after all the taking out and installing seats, overhead bins? I don't know. Maybe. They will have to strip it anyway, that's for sure, so that part is on the taxpayer's dime no matter what.