Authentic Aircraft Artifacts
Genuine Airplane Skin Recovered & Upcycled into Collectable Tags
About AIRCRAFT ARTIFACTS LLC
One-of-a-kind Historic Aircraft Tags
About Aircraft Artifacts LLC
Aircraft Artifacts LLC is a Veteran Owned Small Business.
Founded by MSgt Boone Nicolls, USAF (Ret.)
Boone served 24 yrs Active Duty as a T-33 Crew Chief, F-101 Aircrew Tow Systems Operator, and C-141 Flight Engineer.
He's also the author of "Airman's Guide", a 365+ page USAF Professional Development book.
See on Amazon here: (https://a.co/d/0hnH0qDp)
What began as a search for C-141 memorabilia turned into creating C-141 Collectable Aircraft Tags from C-141 Tail # 66-0154.
Boone noticed a company online that had plane tags from an F-101.
Having flown about 100 hours in the F-101, he thought it would be cool to own a piece of one, so he ordered a tag.
Next, he searched for a C-141 tag.
Research found that someone had produced a few, but sold out after a very limited supply of 141 tags were all sold, at $79+ ea.
C-141 tags could not be found available at any price. There were no C-141 tags for sale anywhere to be found.
Months later, while visiting a local scrapyard, Boone met Scrap Master Larry Wallace.
The conversation turned to nearby Altus Air Force Base and Boone's history in the 57th Airlift Squadron flying in C-141s.
Larry mentioned he had something he wanted me to see, and located some C-141 panels he had been saving for over 20 years.
It was amazing he kept these for so long, as almost every piece had been processed into scrap.
After imagining what could be created with these pieces, after many more months, a plan came together.
What you see here today is the culmination of all the inspiration, ideas, and working out the details
of how to protect and preserve this unique piece of C-141 history.
These C-141 aircraft tags are from C-141B Tail #66-0154.
Boone flew numerous missions in this very aircraft.
Anyone who flew in the 57th Airlift Sq during the 1990's likely flew on same this jet!
C-141 Tail #66-0154 History
C-141A #66-0154 began its service life with its first flight in 1966.
Later it was stretched to add more cargo space and the capability to refuel in-flight was added,
extending its range and becoming an ever greater asset to the Rapid Mobility Force.
In 1996, while assigned to the 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB, Oklahoma,
the aircraft was permanently grounded after falling off an aircraft jack during maintenance.
It could not safely be flown to the aircraft boneyard at Davis Monthan Air Force Base,
where most of the C-141 fleet were sent and turned into scrap.
In a plan to prolong the service life, the wings were removed and it was repurposed
as a Loadmaster Trainer, then eventually sold for scrap.
Boone was fortunate enough to recover a few remaining pieces of this aircraft that
had been forgotten and stored away at a local scrapyard.
I don't know of any airplane tags anywhere,
where the tags offered are from someone who actually flew on that particular aircraft!
The number of C-141 artifacts, from any military C-141, are extremely limited.
With rare exception, all the 284 C-141s are gone.
All were destroyed or scrapped except for the few that are in museums or on display.
This is a rare opportunity to personally own a piece of history.
Once these are gone, they're gone.
These tags are EXTREMELY limited.
There can never be anymore like this!
Each aircraft artifact tag requires a great deal of time to produce.
After Boone rescues and acquires the aircraft material, here's the process.
(Please note: He does not have expensive manufacturing or industrial grade machinery,
although a local shop has allowed him to use their foot operated shear to cut the tags.)
- Material is scrubbed and cleaned.
- Each piece is hand cut, a hole drilled, then all sharp edges removed.
- Each tag is laser etched, one at a time.
- A high quality etching with good contrast is a slow process.
- The front laser etching takes 2+ hours, and the reverse about 30+ minutes.
- The tags are then installed on a retail card with a ring and wire cable.
- Additional handling and packaging is next before they are ready for shipping.
In the end, Boone has over 3 hours of time and effort in each tag.
It's worthwhile, because he wants to preserve the memory of the C-141s for every person
who shares his love for and appreciation of this historic airlifter!