8/15/2008

Salinans will have the opportunity Monday to see the outside of a mock-up of Air Force One.
The mock-up will be in the parking lot of Wal-Mart, 2900 S. Ninth, at 1 p.m.
The mock-up was created as part of a 60,000-square-foot presidential exhibit for the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, according to Augusta businessman Steve Cannaby, president of Nu-Tek Aircraft Instruments. Jim Warlick, curator of the American Presidential Experience, contracted with Cannaby’s company to build the mock-up.
Work started July 19 in Augusta with the arrival of a Boeing 727 fuselage totaling 53 feet in length. The particular aircraft used in the project was acquired from Champion Air, which filed for bankruptcy protection in May. In 2004, the aircraft served as the official Kerry-Edwards presidential campaign jet. It most recently was used to fly the LA Lakers in the NBA championship finals.
The mock-up is beginning its journey from Augusta to Denver on Monday. It will stop in various cities along the way.