Aviation History and Photos Blog | PlaneTags™

Nov 06, 2019
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Douglas DC-7: Piston Powered From Coast to Coast

The DC-7 was Douglas’ last major piston engine-powered transport aircraft. Built 1953 - 1958, it entered the American Airlines flagship service on its New York-Los Angeles route, becoming the first airliner to offer nonstop transcontinental service in both directions, flying westbound against the prevailing winds. N390AA began its career with American Airlines in 1956, eventually being converted to a freighter in later years, most notably with Ortner Air Service in Ohio. Walter Soplata acquired its cockpit and other fuselage sections during the 1970s from the Ortners. MotoArt continues the dream to preserve this aircraft

Sep 26, 2019
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Convair B-36: An Intercontinental Bomber That Kept The Peace

The Convair B-36 was conceived in 1941, just as the U.S. was preparing for and entering the second World War. Dubbed “The Peacemaker”, the huge strategic bomber had the longest wingspan of any combat plane built and was the largest mass produced piston-engined plane. Although it was capable of intercontinental flight and delivering nuclear weapons, it was never used in combat. Very few remain today, including one, 42-13571, which was added to the Walter Soplata Collection in August 1972. Read about the legacy of the Peacemaker and the late Walter Soplata, and how MotoArt owner Dave Hall will preserve the memory of both.

Sep 18, 2019
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The Soplata Collection: Preserving Planes for over 70 years

There are certain things that define an aviation enthusiast. Passion for aviation. Desire to see aircraft preserved, not merely scrapped. Joy in collecting airplanes, whether it’s a collection of planes owned, planes flown or flown in, model airplanes, and other treasures. For MotoArt and its owner Dave Hall it is finding unique or iconic aircraft and preserving them forever with PlaneTags for others to collect and enjoy. This passion, bordering on obsession, drove Walter Soplata to make his dreams of preserving airplanes into reality.

Aug 19, 2019
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Celebrating The 80th National Aviation Day: A Look Back at 1939

Eighty years ago, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared August 19th as National Aviation Day. The date was chosen to honor the aviation pioneer himself, Orville Wright, born August 19th, 1871. Since then, it has become a day for celebration in the United States, and a time to honor the development of aviation.

1939 was a busy year in global and aviation history. Records were being set for speed and distance by planes such as the Boeing XB-15 and Lockheed XP-38. That year, the Yankee Clipper, a Boeing 314 flying boat, inaugurated the world's first regular transatlantic air mail service, followed soon after by Dixie Clipper’s regular transatlantic flights from New York to England. The Guba II, a PBY-2 Catalina flying boat, made the first flight ever across the Indian Ocean.

Aug 16, 2019
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Celebrate National Aviation Day With MotoArt PlaneTags

For avgeeks like the MotoArt PlaneTags family everyday is Aviation Day. Here's how to spend National Aviation Day 2019 celebrating the passion of aircraft and flying

Jul 11, 2019
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Curtiss P-40 Warhawk: The Frontline Fighter That Won The Pacific

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter/ground-attack aircraft was one of WW II’s most famous fighters. The P-40 was easier to build and maintain than the other USAFF fighters at the time, and was in large-scale production such that nearly 14,000 were built by 1944, making it one of the most produced American fighters. It remained on the frontline until the war’s end. Known for its fierce “shark mouth” nose art and its versatility, it was used by most Allied countries. The famous Flying Tigers flew the P-40s in the Pacific theater and achieved notable success defending China and attacking Japan, helping to turn the tide for the Allies.

Jun 14, 2019
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Boeing 727 VP-BDJ: The Original Trump Force One

Throughout the long and varied career of Donald J. Trump, he has owned and flown in some of the most lavish planes imaginable. From his Trump Force One personal planes, his Trump Shuttle airline and now his vision for the newest Air Force One - all of them are Boeing and every one of them a luxury plane. VP-BDJ was one of these opulent flying palaces, befitting a brash and flamboyant businessman. Take a closer look at the original Trump Force One.

Jun 06, 2019
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Inside the Stratolaunch: The United Boeing 747 Behind the Giant Plane

It took 8 years, hundreds of people, 2 of the brightest minds, and 2 United Airlines Boeing 747s to get Stratolaunch to its successful first flight on April 13, 2019. While the future of the massive plane and the dreams of making it a reliable air-based launch platform for delivering payload into space are in question, it undoubtedly is now part of aviation history and one for the record books. The dream of Paul Allen and Burt Rutan also attracted the interest of MotoArt owner Dave Hall so when he found one of the 747s at the Mojave boneyard, he knew for sure he wanted a part of it too.

May 30, 2019
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Ten Awesome Aviation Gifts Your AVGeek Dad Will Love

Shopping for a Father’s Day gift or want to get something special for your favorite AVgeek? Here are ten great aviation gifts any airplane enthusiast will enjoy, chosen by MotoArt PlaneTags owner Dave Hall for Father's Day 2019.

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