Iron Maiden’s legendary tour aircraft, Ed Force One, has been decommissioned and broken down into parts, which are now on sale. In a surprising twist of fate, a German firm, Aviationtag, which is in the business of reusing material from retired planes, has converted portions of this iconic aircraft into collectibles. These rare pieces are now up for grabs for fans and aviation enthusiasts alike, bringing a bit of Iron Maiden’s history to their homes.
In 2016, Iron Maiden went on tour for their “Book of Souls” around the world, and for the expedition, Iron Maiden utilized Ed Force One, which is specifically branded Boeing 747-400. The airplane was painted in the iconic emblem of Iron Maiden with the notorious zombie-like mascot Eddie, which decorated the tail fin. The aircraft was not only a symbol of the rock and roll lifestyle of the band, but also a necessary component of their global tours. Today, after years of use, this incredible piece of music history is being broken down, and components of it are being retooled for fans to possess.
Aviationtag, the company that is behind this venture, has the reputation for taking the remains of retired planes and shaping them into creative products such as keychains, tags, and other mementos. For this particular instance, they have taken sections of Ed Force One’s fuselage and shaped them into limited edition tags. These tags/keychains are derived from the white fuselage of the airplane and were carefully crafted to retain the plane’s aura.
In a bid to impart a unique character on every tag, the company went beyond incorporating the fuselage. The group used material from the blue-painted tail fin of the aircraft, which had received a maximum of nine layers of paint throughout its operational period. This layering of paint, Aviationtag’s chief commercial officer, Tobia Richter, says, imparts a special character to every tag. “To produce color variations, we also used material from the blue tail fin, which had as many as nine layers of paint added over the years,” Richter says.
The tags are tiny, approximately 1.5 by 3.5 inches (35 by 88 millimeters), and cost €66.66 (about $73). It’s a nod to the band’s notorious hit “The Number of the Beast,” which is named after the number 666. It’s a nice, subtle reference that connects the collectible to the legendary aspects of Iron Maiden’s music.
The Boeing 747-400, the plane once used to tour the band worldwide, was enormous, at 71 meters (230 feet) long. It puts into perspective how many tags could be potentially created from materials of the aircraft. There can be as much as 100,000 of them in theory, but Aviationtag has instead decided to create a limited production of these keep-sakes. We want to continue to give our collectors and fans new airplanes from various airlines, instead of producing huge editions of one airplane,” Richter explains. The company’s focus on smaller, exclusive editions allows the tags to be special and distinctive for collectors.
Aviationtag has been upcycling airplane materials since 2006. The company has converted a number of airplanes into collectibles, including famous commercial aircraft such as the Airbus A380 and warplanes like the DC-3 “candy bomber.” The aim is to provide products that embody the spirit of aviation history, as well as something concrete for enthusiasts to grasp. “Which is why we like smaller, exclusive runs from a broader selection of aircraft so that every tag is really special,” Richter continues.
Iron Maiden fans in particular will welcome this chance to claim a bit of Ed Force One as their own as an unusual and exclusive opportunity to tap into the band’s rich history. Indeed, while the plane was being taken apart, there were some surprises discovered. Richter says that in a few places within the fuselage, they actually discovered gold paint residue underneath all the layers of paint. This is an additional layer of uniqueness to every tag, which is even more so for collectors.
The idea of transforming a retired plane into collectibles resonates with the broader movement of repurposing and upcycling materials. It’s a green and innovative approach to saving a piece of history while also breathing new life into items that could otherwise be left behind. With this plane, its flight doesn’t stop when it retires; rather, it’s being reimagined in a manner that allows enthusiasts to bring home a part of the journey.
Iron Maiden’s Ed Force One has left an unmistakable stamp on the band’s history. If you were a fan of the band’s music, a devotee of their classic live performances, or just someone who appreciates unusual aviation memorabilia, these tags provide a chance to possess a piece of history. Each tag is a reminder of the unforgettable performances, the dedication of the crew, and the sheer spectacle that was Iron Maiden’s 2016 world tour.
As Iron Maiden goes on to make more music and leave their mark on the rock world, it’s obvious that their influence extends far beyond the stage. Now, the fans can carry a part of that legacy around with them, in the form of a tiny, carefully handcrafted tag that once soared in the air along with the band. This union between Iron Maiden and Aviationtag is a demonstration of the timelessness of music and the impact it leaves behind on the fans.
