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Manganese-bronze from the aircraft carrier’s original propulsion system preserved in exclusive partnership with USS Midway Museum
San Diego, CA — For the first time in its history, structural material from the propulsion system of USS Midway (CV-41) is being made available to the public.
MotoArt, in exclusive partnership with the USS Midway Museum, is releasing a limited-edition series of PlaneTags crafted from manganese-bronze removed from the ship’s original propeller screws during a major preservation effort.
In 2023, the USS Midway Museum undertook a complex engineering project to address tidal stress at the stern of the ship. During extreme low tides, portions of the massive propeller screws made contact with the shoreline, creating strain within the shaft alleys and stress throughout the vessel’s structure.
To protect the ship for future generations, certified divers and engineers carefully removed sections of seven screw blades, along with portions of the rudders. The operation required extensive planning, underwater precision work, and significant investment by the museum.
Rather than discard this historic metal, the USS Midway Museum partnered with MotoArt to preserve portions of the removed manganese-bronze for responsible stewardship.
Each propeller screw PlaneTag originates from the ship’s original propulsion system, the engineering force that carried Midway through the Cold War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and decades of global deployment.
“This is not decorative material,” said Dave Hall, founder of MotoArt. “This is the metal that converted steam into forward motion. It is the mechanical heartbeat of the ship.”
The release marks the first time authentic structural components of USS Midway have been made publicly available in this manner.
The inaugural release, featuring material from the propeller screws, will be available beginning Thursday, March 5 at 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
Proceeds received by the USS Midway Museum from this collaboration directly support the ship’s ongoing preservation and educational mission.
Founded in 2001, MotoArt PlaneTags is dedicated to preserving aviation and aerospace history by transforming retired aircraft and historic materials into functional art, furnishings, and collectible artifacts known as PlaneTags. Since launching PlaneTags in 2015, the company has preserved materials from more than 250 historic aircraft, aerospace and naval assets in collaboration with leading museums, airlines, and public institutions. MotoArt’s mission is to ensure historically significant materials remain accessible to future generations rather than disappearing into scrap cycles.
The USS Midway Museum is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of USS Midway (CV-41) and honoring those who served aboard the aircraft carrier. Located in San Diego, California, the ship served in the U.S. Navy for nearly 50 years before opening as a museum in 2004.
Today, the USS Midway Museum welcomes more than one million visitors annually and is recognized as the world’s most visited floating museum. Through exhibits, aircraft restoration, educational programs, and the dedication of its volunteers and docents, the museum continues its mission of preservation, education, and remembrance of naval aviation history.
MiG-15: Cold War History Built Behind the Iron Curtain
The MiG-15 was one of the most influential jet fighters of the early Cold War. With its swept wings, near-transonic speed, and devastating cannon armament, it changed aerial combat forever and became a feared adversary in the skies over Korea.
Now, MotoArt is preserving the legacy of this iconic Soviet fighter with authentic PlaneTags made from the skin of Polish-built SBLim-2 N2400X “Red 511.” This rare trainer variant served for decades before eventually making its way to the United States, where it was preserved in 2026 for aviation enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Two NASA T-38 Talons: Training the Pilots and Astronauts Who Pushed the Limits
Some aircraft make headlines. Others make history behind the scenes.
The Northrop T-38 Talon is one of the most important jets most people never think about. Introduced in the early 1960s, it became the world’s first supersonic trainer and has shaped generations of high-performance pilots.
At NASA, the T-38 still plays a critical role today. Long before launch, astronauts are in the cockpit of a Talon, building the precision and discipline required for spaceflight.
This release features two NASA T-38 Talons. Each followed a different path. Together, they represent the full scope of NASA flight.
Life Aboard USS Midway: The Doors That Held It All Together
The newest Midway PlaneTags are made from authentic USS Midway watertight doors, including doors such as 2-75-6.
Located below deck, these doors connected the spaces where sailors lived and worked. Layers of paint and wear reflect years of daily use.
Open. Closed. Passed through thousands of times.
Through MotoArt’s partnership with the USS Midway Museum, this material has been preserved and given a second life.
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