Government auctioneers are putting up for sale a US presidential McDonnell Douglas VC-9, with bidding due to open on 15 May.

The aircraft - which is registered N681AL, with serial number 47668 - is listed by the US Federal Aviation Administration as being owned by the Department of State.

GSA Auctions, which is arranging the sale, says the aircraft was "part of Air Force Two" and "may have acted as Air Force One".

Air Force One or Two are the callsigns used when an aircraft is transporting the US president and vice-president respectively.

GSA says the VC-9, powered by Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines, is located at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona. The aircraft is a derivative of the DC-9-32 twinjet.

According to the aircraft's data plates it was manufactured in 1975. Its configuration includes a forward VIP cabin with 10 seats and a main cabin fitted with 32 seats.

The auctioneer, which acts on behalf of the US government acquisition arm General Services Administration, is requiring a $50,000 deposit from bidders.

It adds that the lot also includes a large consignment of spare parts. The aircraft carries the US Air Force identifier 73-1681.

Source: Flight International