Aviation History and Photos Blog | PlaneTags™

In the world of aviation, few aircraft have lived a life as large, or as long, as the Hawaii Mars. Towering over most of its contemporaries with a wingspan of 200 feet, this mighty flying boat was born in the final days of World War II, then quietly transformed into one of the most iconic aerial firefighting aircraft the world has ever seen. From military transport to firefighting titan, the Hawaii Mars represents one of aviation’s most extraordinary second acts.

In 2025, MotoArt obtained an original wing of this aircraft and created special PlaneTags, made exclusively for the Martin family members and Mars workers. On December 11, 2025, Hawaii Mars PlaneTags will be available to the general public for the first time. 

Few aircraft define an era quite like the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. Sleek, powerful, and unmistakably iconic, the Tomcat was the Navy’s premier fleet defense fighter for more than three decades. From Cold War missions to pop culture stardom, the F-14 remains one of the most recognizable and beloved aircraft ever built. Today, MotoArt is proud to introduce the F-14 Tomcat Coaster Set, created from authentic F-14 aircraft material.

Every airplane has a story, and some travel farther than others before their flying days are over. PR-AJB was one of those well-traveled aircraft. This Airbus A320 started its life flying British families on long-awaited holidays, then later crossed the Atlantic to join the growing fleet of Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras. Over nearly nineteen years it picked up new registrations, new paint, new routes and a new home, carrying thousands of passengers along the way.

Its journey reflects how widely the A320 family has spread around the world and how easily these aircraft adapt to whatever their next chapter requires. PR-AJB also arrived at Azul during an important period of expansion as the airline worked to connect more cities across Brazil. In this blog we will explore where the aircraft came from, what it did during its short time with Azul, and how it eventually came to rest in Florida. We will also share how MotoArt recovered material from the retired airframe and created PlaneTags so its story can continue in a new way.

Before the Flying Boxcar became a military workhorse, Fairchild’s engineers built an ambitious twin-boom transport that paved the way for it. The Fairchild C-82 Packet was a postwar cargo aircraft that promised big things but struggled to live up to them. Although it served for only a few short years, it played an important role in shaping the aircraft that would follow. Today, the legacy of one particular Packet, serial number 44-22991, lives on through MotoArt PlaneTags, preserved from the legendary Soplata Collection.

For more than 70 years, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress has symbolized power, endurance, and innovation in the skies. Born from the Cold War’s demand for a global-range bomber, this legendary aircraft continues to serve generations later. MotoArt now honors that enduring legacy with handcrafted B-52 Coasters, made from authentic aircraft aluminum sourced from Dave Hall’s Mojave boneyard collection. Each coaster is a tangible piece of aviation history, reimagined for collectors who appreciate timeless craftsmanship and the story behind every rivet.

The McDonnell Douglas DC-10 marked a new era in American Airlines’ history and the evolution of long-haul travel. Delivered in 1973, aircraft N125AA carried passengers across the globe in polished aluminum and red, white, and blue style before later flying for Hawaiian Airlines. Decades after its final flight, MotoArt rediscovered this DC-10 at Mojave and transformed it into authentic PlaneTags. Each tag preserves a genuine piece of aviation history and celebrates the wide-body jet that defined the golden age of air travel.

CLT Airport has always been more than a busy hub for travelers. It’s a place where millions of people experience the wonder of flight every year. In 2023, CLT partnered with MotoArt Studios to create a series of permanent installations that honor aviation’s past while welcoming travelers into the future.

Through these unique works, each crafted from historic aircraft components, CLT has woven aviation history into the fabric of its terminal expansion. Every piece blends artistry, functionality, and heritage, turning the passenger experience into something truly memorable. Read on to find out more about the project and new Boeing 747 PlaneTags that honor this collaboration.