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Refining the details of iconic Air Force One history.

“We’re here to basically preserve history."
Credit: King 5 News

When you're talking about getting the little details just right, you only want the best. The same can certainly be said when it comes to plane restorations.

Search efforts across the country and world were conducted to restore the Iconic Air Force One. Fifty-five detailers were selected to restore the plane that presidents Kennedy and Eisenhower rode in and a Jacksonville native had a hand in the restoration efforts.

Mark Elliot is a Jacksonville firefighter and owner of a Firehouse Auto-Spa as a professional detailer. He’s spent the last week helping restore the icon plane among other projects in Seattle.

“We’re here to basically preserve history," Elliot said. 

Like many things in life, the little things can make all the difference.

For Elliot, the details are all that matter.  

“When I started detailing, I didn’t know that detailing would take me this far, I didn’t know I’d fly from Jacksonville all the way out to Seattle to be able to do things like this," he said.

This is repairing historic planes so thousands can experience their beauty at Seattle’s Museum of Flight. One in particular stands out, Air Force One.

“Mainly you think about President Kennedy and you just get chills thinking about it to know that he was on this plane," Elliot said. "It’s a one of a kind type of experience.”

An experience that showcases the talent of 55 detailers from all over the world.

“The selection process is pretty difficult," Renny Doyle, detailer of Air Force ONe said. "We go through a pool of about 300 people. It takes us about six months to select a team."

Doyle is based in Big Bear, California and is actually known as the 'detailer of Air Force One.'

Doyle has selected the crews for thirteen years.

“We’re not only looking for talent, we’re looking for people that have a heart for giving because we’re all volunteers," he said.

Elliot’s part of the finishing team, polishing and spiffing up the plane’s aluminum giving the iconic plane and others a fresh clean look.

The Jacksonville native has been selected three times to take part in the restoration efforts. 

When all is said and done over 1,200 man hours and 300 gallons of cleaner went into this year's work. 

“Everybody can bring their family to see it and other families can bring their families, just keep the history going and the tradition," Elliot said.

“We’re blue collar workers, it’s our way to leave our stamp on history,” Doyle said.

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