The SR-71 is the fastest air-breathing aircraft ever built, and it still inspires us decades after it first flew.
We are stoked to offer a brand-new tag cut from a lower inboard elevon titanium pie panel. These pie panels (or pie plates) are the triangular panels that fit together along the outer wings and elevons. They were comprised of an outer titanium skin that was screwed to an inner composite wedge; part number AD154-41. This panel (like most panels on the jet) wasn’t that big, and only 59 tags were cut. They were cut one at a time and hand numbered when they came off the machine, so their exact location on the panel (down to the inch) can be identified. That’s cool, and that’s a first. These tags are also a scaled down replica of the pie panel shape.
Regarding the history of this panel… these aircraft were hand-built and many panels, once fitted and flown, would not fit other aircraft due to the high temperatures experienced at Mach 3 and the custom nature of the fabrication process. Pie panels were custom fitted for each jet and they were not intended to be reused. For this reason, asset numbers were not stamped on them, and based on the numbers stamped and etched on the panel, there would be no way to pair it with a specific aircraft. The former owner of this panel told me us it came off asset 2008 (USAF 61-7957); one of two SR-71Bs built. This jet crashed while on approach to Beale AFB and both crew safely ejected. The aircraft crashed inverted and its remains were stored behind the paint shop at Plant 42. Due to the absence of an asset number on this panel, and the fact that I was told that it came off an SR-71B, we are simply marking these as SR-71 tags. But, in a fun nod to the history that was passed on to me, BVR created the best-looking card to date that features an SR-71B with an inset image of a B on the ramp at Beale. And in lieu of a display for these tags, a TITANIUM card upgrade can be purchased separately to really up the anty on these! This titanium card features a monochromatic version of the card with exposed raw titanium. Like the tags, these cards were cut and made in house.
These tags are numbered 01-59 and are also hand numbered on the back. Some of them have holes where the screws fastened the part to the inner composite piece. Many have original pencil marks on the back from the original build process! Some have hand-drilled holes if a screw hole would have conflicted with the hang hole. Each tag was etched one at a time , and the art and tag info was adjusted as best as possible to account for any holes. The majority of these tags are solid without any holes. Like the pie panels, these tags are fully custom. They are offered in 1 variant: Black Titanium.
**US Military aircraft designations are used to describe the aircraft from which these tags were cut. Trademarks used are the property of their respective owners. JET EYES is not affiliated in any way with any aircraft manufacturer.**
Warning: Jet-Eyes tags are cut from real aircraft components and skin. These tags are made of and covered in industrial paints and coatings. These materials and coatings can be dangerous and cause harm if inhaled or ingested. Not recommended for small children.