Iron Maiden, one of the most influential heavy metal bands in history, is known for its spectacular world tours. A particularly remarkable chapter in their history is the “Ed Force One”, a Boeing 747-400 (Revell Shoplink), which was flown by Bruce Dickinson, the band’s lead singer and trained airline pilot, himself.
But the story of Ed Force One is closely linked to the legendary Boeing 747, an aircraft that revolutionized aviation and has a firm place in pop culture. In this blog post, we present Iron Maiden’s iconic tour aircraft and the Boeing 747, a machine that has shaped aviation history and which we have reissued in time for the Future Past Tour 2024.
Bruce Dickinson’s Career as a Pilot
Bruce Dickinson is not only a talented singer and songwriter but also a trained pilot. During Iron Maiden’s world tours, especially the “The Book of Souls World Tour” 2016, he flew the band himself in Ed Force One. This extraordinary commitment was also evident in other situations: Dickinson was pilot in 2006 on a rescue mission during the Lebanon War, evacuating British citizens. His skills as a pilot and his passion for aviation have earned him great respect and made Ed Force One a symbol of the extraordinary band.
Iron Maiden and Their Incredible Band Stories
Iron Maiden performed in 1985 at the first Rock in Rio festival and played in front of about 300,000 people, making it one of the largest live performances of their career. This performance cemented their status as one of the world’s biggest metal bands. These monumental live performances are a testament to their enduring popularity and ability to enthuse fans around the world.
The Spooky Studio in the Bahamas
Not only mascot Eddie can be spooky: During the recordings for their album “Piece of Mind” at the Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas, the band members reported strange occurrences and an eerie atmosphere. These experiences contributed to the mystical aura of the album and show the unusual circumstances under which some of their most famous works were created.
The Eccentric Manager Rod Smallwood
Rod Smallwood, the band’s manager, is known for his unconventional methods. Once he stripped completely naked in a meeting to draw the band’s attention to an important contract negotiation. His unorthodox tactics have often contributed to the band’s success and make him an unforgettable figure in Iron Maiden’s history.
Eddie, the Mascot
Eddie, the band’s iconic mascot, plays a central role in Iron Maiden’s stage shows. During a performance in the 1980s, the man in the Eddie costume stumbled and nearly fell into the audience, leading to big laughter and applause. Eddie’s various appearances have contributed to the band’s unique identity.
Iron Maiden and the Brown M&Ms
Iron Maiden was known for including a special clause in their tour rider (a list of requirements that a venue must meet): M&Ms were to be provided, but no brown M&Ms. This seemingly unusual and picky demand had an important purpose. The background of this request was not just whim or eccentricity. Iron Maiden used this clause as a kind of test to ensure that the organizers had carefully read and followed their entire rider. If the band found brown M&Ms upon arrival, it was a clear sign that other, possibly safety-relevant aspects of the rider might have been overlooked as well. This could lead to problems at the event, from technical difficulties to safety risks.
The Boeing 747: An Aviation Legend
The Boeing 747, also known as the “Jumbo Jet” or “Queen of the Skies”, revolutionized the aviation industry. The development of the 747 began in the 1960s under the leadership of Joe Sutter. The first flight took place on February 9, 1969, and the aircraft made it possible to transport more passengers over longer distances at lower costs, making air travel accessible to a larger number of people.
Iron Maiden Ed Force One (c) Iron Maiden
Air Force One and Other Uses
The Boeing 747 also serves as the official aircraft of the President of the United States, known as Air Force One – which also clarifies the naming inspiration for Ed Force One :). This special version is equipped with the latest technology and security features. The 747 was also modified for special tasks such as transporting the Space Shuttle and has set altitude records.
In addition, the 747 has appeared in numerous films and TV series and has been converted by some airlines into flying hotels. Its characteristic upper deck, the “Hump”, was originally intended as a lounge area. This versatility and its iconic design make the 747 a special aircraft in aviation history.
IRON MAIDEN Tulsa TRAVEL DAY 27/2/16
Ed Force One is not only a symbol for the band Iron Maiden but also a tribute to the legendary Boeing 747. Both have made history in their respective fields and will be remembered forever.
Ed Force One Retired
The band has not toured with their own plane for some years for climate protection reasons and has retired Ed Force One. And Bruce Dickinson also hung up his career as a commercial pilot last year at age 65, as professional pilots usually do. He continues to fly privately, of course, and in our July episode of Revell Model Kit News, our colleague Luke, who grew up with Iron Maiden as an Englishman, told that Dickinson also flies in a squadron with historic fighter aircraft at airshows.
By the way, our former colleague Volker Vahle is also retired, who in 2016 traveled to Cardiff, met Bruce Dickinson there, and photographed Ed Force One from every conceivable angle for the model kit and captured all relevant details. Here and here you can read about it again in the blog.
The Ed Force One 747 Model Kit
For model builders, the Ed Force One (Revell Shop) offers an exciting challenge and the opportunity to replicate a piece of music and aviation history. The Boeing 747, as the base aircraft, remains a fascinating subject that reflects the innovation and pioneering spirit of the aviation industry.
From 85 individual parts, advanced crafters at Level 4 get a finished model with a length of 49 centimeters and a wingspan of 44.6 cm.
- Four CF-6 engines with detailed components
- Highly detailed landing gear bays and wing undersides
- Detailed landing gear that can optionally be extended or retracted
- Realistic decals for authentic depiction of the “Ed Force One”
- Exclusive special edition with official Iron Maiden license
A Tour Through Ed Force One with Bruce Dickinson
Here the boss himself gives a little tour through the aircraft: