Historic aircraft carrier to be honored through a carefully staged release beginning March 5
Torrance, California — MotoArt, the California-based company known for preserving aviation history through authentic aircraft artifacts, has announced a special preservation project honoring USS Midway (CV-41), one of the most iconic aircraft carriers in U.S. Navy history, in partnership with the USS Midway Museum.
Commissioned in 1945 and serving for nearly 50 years, USS Midway played a role in some of the most significant chapters of modern naval history, from the Cold War and Vietnam War to Operation Desert Storm. Over its long service life, nearly 200,000 sailors served aboard the carrier, making Midway not only a powerful warship, but a home and workplace for generations.
MotoArt’s USS Midway project will result in a limited series of PlaneTags created from authentic materials coming from the ship. The project’s purpose is primarily as a preservation effort, with careful consideration given to provenance, craftsmanship, and the responsibility of honoring a vessel of such historical importance.
“This is not something we take lightly,” said Dave Hall, founder of MotoArt. “USS Midway represents decades of service, sacrifice, and innovation. Our goal is to preserve a small part of that legacy in a way that feels respectful and meaningful.”
The release will be introduced in stages, beginning with a limited first offering scheduled for March 5, 2026. Details about the specific materials and variants will be shared gradually, allowing the story of USS Midway to remain the focus.
Today, USS Midway continues her mission as the USS Midway Museum in San Diego, where more than 21 million visitors have walked its decks and learned about the men who served aboard the carrier and men and women who helped build it. MotoArt’s project is intended to complement that mission by offering collectors, veterans, and history enthusiasts a tangible connection to the ship’s legacy.
Individuals interested in learning more about the USS Midway PlaneTags project or receiving updates ahead of the release are invited to join MotoArt’s USS Midway Updates mailing list.
For additional information about MotoArt and its preservation work, visit planetags.com.
USS Midway (CV-41), commissioned in 1945, now serves as a museum in San Diego, California. Photo courtesy of USS Midway Museum.
USS Midway during active service, supporting naval aviation operations in the Pacific, April 1971. Photo courtesy of USS Midway Museum.
About MotoArt PlaneTags
Founded in 2001, MotoArt is dedicated to preserving aviation and aerospace history by transforming retired aircraft and historic materials into functional art, furnishings, and collectible keepsakes called PlaneTags. Through partnerships with museums, airlines, and aviation organizations, MotoArt helps ensure that important stories are not only remembered, but shared in tangible form.
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USS Midway (CV-41): A Brief Historical View from the Flight Deck