“With this exclusive Aviationtag edition, fans can now hold a tangible piece of aviation and rock history in their hands. Ed Force One is one of the most famous aircraft in the world, and this edition captures its enduring legacy in a truly collectible form.”
The tags can be ordered from Aviationtag’s special Iron Maiden website.
The plane got its name from Iron Maiden’s scary Eddie the Head, a recurring character in the band's artwork.
The 747 that became Ed Force 1 had its first flight in 2003 and last flight in 2022. Sadly, it has gone to the scrapyard that waits for us all. But from the plane’s demise comes a rebirth as a rock n’roll aviation memento from Aviationtag, Forbes reports.
During the dismantling process for Ed Force 1, Aviationtag, based in Cologne, Germany, turned the skin of the aircraft into a numbered set of 12,000 aviation ‘luggage tags.’ Aviationtag has created similar mementoes of civilian, military and commercial aircraft such as an El Al 747 and the first Emirates Airbus A380.
Now both rock and aviation buffs can own their own special memento of the beloved aircraft. Aviationtag’s new Iron Maiden Edition: Ed Force One luggage tag package is designed to celebrate the storied history of the band’s use of the legendary Boeing 747 as a “flying tour bus.”
The aircraft flew the popular band from gig to gig on its Book of Souls tour. Two million Iron Maiden fans in 36 countries saw the tour, including their debut performances in El Salvador, Lithuania and China. Ed Force One faithfully schlepped the band around six continents, dwarfing pedestrian planes parked on the world’s runways.
In Zurich, for example, the heavy metal aircraft truly stood out. The jets assigned to German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande were parked nearby, appearing almost miniature in comparison. Only once was Ed Force One overshadowed, when it parked next to the one-of-a-kind Antonov A225, the largest aircraft in the world until it was destroyed in the Russia-Ukraine war.
This design celebrates the aircraft’s storied past and bridges the gap between aviation heritage and rock ‘n’ roll culture. It can serve as a key chain, a unique baggage tag, or as a collectible.
Each Ed Force One Aviationtag comes with an illustrated booklet with a detailed interview with Iron Maiden singer and pilot Bruce Dickinson.
The Iron Maiden Ed Force One Aviationtag is priced at 66,66€reference to the band’s famous song “666 – Number of the Beast.” The 66.66 Euro price equals roughly $70 USD, depending on currency exchange rates. The tags can be ordered from Aviationtag’s special Iron Maiden website.
