Iron Maiden's legendary Boeing 747-400, affectionately dubbed Ed Force One, has transcended its original life as a touring powerhouse to become a coveted piece of memorabilia. This aircraft, which once soared the skies carrying the band during their 2016 Book of Souls world tour, has now been repurposed into limited-edition collectible tags. It's a thrilling venture for fans of the band and aviation enthusiasts alike.
The plane's journey started in the commercial aviation sphere, where it dutifully served with Air France before moving on to Air Atlanta Icelandic. However, it truly ascended to rock legend status when the iconic British band Iron Maiden chartered it, adding their mascot, Eddie, emblazoned on its tail to signal its rock royalty. After its retirement in 2022 at Cotswold Airport, the once-mighty jet has found a new lease on life. German company Aviationtag meticulously transformed the aircraft's fuselages into 12,000 unique tags, each one echoing the music and history of the plane.
The collectible tags are no ordinary keepsake. Each piece bears the Ed Force One logo, its aircraft registration number (TF-AAK), and even the sequential number in the collection, offering a personal artifact of a momentous vehicle. The reverse side retains Eddie's fierce design. These collectibles come in stylish silver and blue, and they carry a price tag that nods to Iron Maiden's famous song 'The Number of the Beast' - €66.66 or about $72.57.
What's truly remarkable about this project is the involvement of Iron Maiden's lead vocalist, Bruce Dickinson. Known for his aviation prowess, Dickinson piloted Ed Force One during its glory days on tour. His participation ensured that both fans of Iron Maiden and aviation get a piece that respects the legacy of this remarkable aircraft. Dickinson fondly refers to the 747 as the 'Queen of the Skies,' a sentiment that Aviationtag's Chief Commercial Officer, Tobias Richter, shared. He described the dedication to maintaining the plane's integrity during the two-year development process.
Though the potential existed to manufacture more than 100,000 tags, the commitment was to quality and exclusivity. This decision mirrors Iron Maiden's ethos of crafting unique and distinctive memorabilia, truly making each tag a revered keepsake. Beyond merchandise, it's a slice of both aviation and rock history, linking the fervor of Iron Maiden fans with the majestic elegance symbolized by Ed Force One's journeys.
