- by Dave Hall
MotoArt’s Military Planes: Saluting Our Mighty Defenders
- by Dave Hall
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Since our beginning in 2001, MotoArt has created some of the most iconic and influential aviation inspired art and furnishings. Our pioneering designs in aviation art, decor, and furnishings have been featured in magazines and films, and in homes and businesses world wide. In 2015, we changed the game again by offering PlaneTags, which brought the joy of owning parts of amazing aircraft to everyone. We salute our military aircraft and offer a closer look at these incredible planes.
What is a war plane?
Military aircraft can be combat or non-combat. Non-combat planes are not designed for combat primarily but often carry weapons for their own defense, as well as serve in supporting roles during war or peacetime. A warplane is an airplane designed and equipped to engage in air or ground combat.
Sourcing Military Aircraft
Following investigations into F-14 parts being sold to Iran and other such nefarious dealings, the United States changed the legalities of buying used military equipment by the general public. These laws were made more stringent by the Department of Homeland Security following 9/11. When MotoArt owner Dave Hall first started the company with his former partner, they began sourcing the majority of parts from National Aircraft Inc, which was located near the Pima Air Museum and Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ.
“We were so fortunate to be able to get parts from National Aircraft back in 2001, 2002. Our airframes and parts were grandfathered in so we had access to some incredible planes,” says Hall. “This company no longer exists and public access to the military boneyards like Davis Monthan was tightened so we were lucky to get some rare finds.”
As regulations state, the parts and airframes must be demilitarized, or even cut into very small pieces. MotoArt adapted its business to be able to continue to offer their customers the aircraft they were clamoring for, but in different forms.
“We are thankful to work with the museums and organizations we have partnered with over the years,” says Hall. “We share the same mission - preserving incredible aircraft and making them available to the public.”
Many of the museums have saved the original skins so they can later use them as templates for exterior skins during restoration projects. These original skins have become the material for many PlaneTags, which allows us to offer a memento of an aircraft that would otherwise be only visible in a museum. “Instead of working with airframes,” says Hall “we now have the opportunity to work with aircraft skins. This makes it possible to share pieces of aviation history with those who treasure these airplanes as much as we do.”
MotoArt’s War Plane Furniture
The company has created furniture and art from many types of aircraft, commercial as well as military. The latest piece is the B-52 Stator Table, which was created with the last 25 of 100 engine spinners that were acquired over a decade ago. Once those are gone, the line will be retired as they are much more difficult to source now, if not impossible. Other warplane classics from MotoArt are:
C-130 Inner Flap Conference Table
Military Aircraft PlaneTags
Because of the rarity of military aircraft parts and skin, our PlaneTags often have very small runs. Some of them - notably the P-51, Corsair, SR-71, B-17, and Titan II - have quickly sold out. At the time of this writing, these are the military planes we have available.
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