Product Description
The Spirit of Australia
Qantas, as Australia’s national carrier, embodies the sense of adventure and pioneering spirit of Australia and her people. From its humble beginnings as an airmail carrier in the Outback 100 years ago to flying over 25 million passengers in 2024, Qantas has built a reputation for innovation, service and safety.
OUR PLANE'S STORY
Meet the newest addition to the PlaneTags fleet: the iconic Qantas Airbus A380. This legendary aircraft, known for its grandeur and innovation, has found a new place in aviation history. Introducing VH-OQE.
Celebrating a Century of Qantas
VH-OQE, an Airbus A380-842 named after the pioneering Australian aviator Lawrence Hargrave, holds a special place in the history of Qantas. The aircraft first took to the skies on April 29, 2009, and was delivered to Qantas on December 17, 2009. Over its decade-long career with the airline, VH-OQE became a familiar sight on long-haul routes, connecting major cities such as Sydney, Los Angeles, and London. Its spacious and luxurious cabins provided an enhanced flying experience, earning it a loyal following among Qantas passengers. VH-OQE was also involved in various high-profile flights and events, showcasing the airline's commitment to innovation and passenger comfort.
The global downturn in air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the retirement of many large aircraft, including the A380. VH-OQE was officially retired in 2020 and subsequently flown to Southern California Logistics Airport, a well-known aircraft storage and decommissioning site in Victorville, California. It was here that MotoArt discovered VH-OQE, recognizing the potential to preserve its legacy in a unique way.
In 2024, MotoArt transformed parts of VH-OQE into PlaneTags, allowing aviation enthusiasts to own a piece of this iconic aircraft. This initiative not only commemorates VH-OQE's service with Qantas but also provides a tangible connection to the rich history of the A380 and its impact on modern aviation.
Handmade Aviation Tags
PlaneTags are:
Authentic - made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal.
Unique - each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags.
Collectible - each one is numbered in a limited edition and comes attached to a display card.
Versatile - comes with a durable metal ring, strong enough to attach to luggage or keys or display.
- Please Note: Due to limited quantities, combination colors you may receive will vary.
*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully
PlaneTags are made from actual retired aircraft fuselage, not merely stamped metal. Because PlaneTags are made from real fuselage, each PlaneTag bears the color, thickness, and wear and tear from the portion of the fuselage from which it was cut and it is therefore rare to create two identical PlaneTags. These variations and imperfections are not product flaws. They are part of the beauty of PlaneTags. As a result, you will not have an option to select the color of your PlaneTag. The images on this website are provided for reference only and should not be used as the sole basis for choosing a particular PlaneTag.
We have moved!
Downunder Pilot Shop has recently merged with Concept Aviation and moved both companies into a new retail & warehouse location in Bankstown Aerodrome. See the Contact Us page for more info.
We proudly use Australia Post
95% of orders are shipped out on the same day when made before 4pm AEST.
Shipping Costs:
Local Sydney* shipping: $9.95 flat rate
Rest of Australia, based on order value:
Under $20 - $16.95
$20 - $99.99 - $14.95
$100 - $249.99 - $12.95
Over $250 shipping is FREE!
Domestic Delivery Times:
1-3 days for most Metro deliveries
3-7 days for rural deliveries
Can be up to 10 days for very remote areas of Australia
Pickup
You can pickup your order from our store at Bankstown Aerodrome, NSW. See Contact Us page for our location and opening hours.
PO Boxes
We can deliever to PO Boxes with Australia Post
International Shipping
shipping will be calculated at the checkout.
All duty and customs charges are the responsibility of the customer
Go to: Shipping Policy page
*Local Sydney shipping is based on a 35km radius from our location. This covers most of metro Sydney.
If you are not absolutely happy with your purchase you have 30 days to return the item(s) back to us for an exchange or store credit.
3 Easy Steps
Step 1 | Submit a return request (RMA) contact us
Step 2 | Follow the shipping instructions that will be emailed to you.
Step 3 | Your return will be processed within 3 business days of being returned to the Downunder Pilot Shop.
What can be returned?
All your products are returnable, except for the usual exceptions, DVD's, underwear, software, all Jeppesen electronic and paper chart products and any products marked as "Special Order".
Refunds
We do not offer refunds if you got what you asked for but simply changed your mind, found it cheaper somewhere else, decided you did not like the purchase or had no use for it. But you are able to exchange unwanted items for store credit.
See our Terms and Conditions for more on returns.