AIR FORCE 'WONDERFUL' PLANE EXHIBIT ADDS WOW FACTOR.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - A $31 million pavilion showcasing a former Air Force One jet is approaching completion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, where officials hope to have it open this fall.

The idea for the Air Force One exhibit came from Reagan himself, who expressed hope after leaving office that the Boeing 707 could someday be moved to his presidential library and museum.

``We're in the final throes of it right now, and we're very excited,'' said Duke Blackwood, executive director of the library, as he led a tour Thursday of the project site.

``Next fall, this will all be in bloom,'' he said, pointing to a replica of the White House rose garden being built at the entrance to the 87,000-square-foot Air Force One Pavilion. ``I know Ronald Reagan is looking down on us and saying, 'This is wonderful.' ''

Also known as ``The Spirit of '76,'' the plane flew 445 missions as Air Force One. It has already been mounted on a pedestal in the giant hangar, which will include a wall of windows with a view of the mountains of northern Ventura County.

``It's quite impressive because of this glass wall,'' Blackwood said. ``You will be able to look out at this wonderful countryside. It will seem as if you are actually flying.''

From the ground floor, visitors look up at the jet that appears to be taking off above. The mezzanine floor includes a catwalk that encircles the plane and offers a view as if from a fighter jet flying alongside. An F-14 fighter jet will be set up on a pedestal outside the pavilion.

``It's very exciting to work on a project like this,'' said Matt Cowles, project manager for the Hathaway Dinwiddie construction company. ``It's overwhelming.''

The catwalk leads into Air Force One just behind the cockpit, and visitors will be able to look out the cockpit windows, then tour the plane to see it as Reagan did.

The pavilion will include exhibits telling the story of how Reagan helped end the Cold War.

``It's a wonderful way to entertain the kids and teach them about history and diplomacy at the same time,'' Blackwood said.

The third floor of the pavilion will be used for facility rental events, officials said.

Motorcycles and a police car from the Reagan era, donated by the Los Angeles Police Historical Society, will be set up inside, representing a presidential motorcade.

The pavilion also will house a Marine One helicopter and presidential limousine. The pavilion is visible from Tierra Rejada Road between Simi Valley and Moorpark and is built in the same Spanish mission-style architecture as the rest of the Reagan library and museum.

The dismantled plane was moved to the library in June 2003. It served President Reagan from 1981-89, but also was used by Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and both George H.W. and George W. Bush.

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) Reporters tour the Air Force One exhibit under construction at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on Thursday.

(2) Duke Blackwood, executive director of the library, conducts a tour of the Air Force One Pavilion that will house Ronald Reagan's Boeing 707.

Michael Owen Baker/Staff Photographer