Aviation scrap becomes flight of fancy furniture

Los Angeles This reception desk fashioned from the engine cowling of a Boeing 747 is part of a new range of furniture made from some of the best-known commercial and military aircraft. The recycled items, designed by Donovan Fell and Dave Hall, also include ejector seats from B52 bombers turned into office chairs and MK84 Blockbuster Bomb shells given a new lease of life as coffee tables, in a range of colours.
The reception desk costs L12,000, but cheaper items include a drinks cabinet that once served as a galley trolley on Boeing 727s (L1,120).
The two men formed their company, MotoArt, after finding a rusting B17 propeller in a scrap yard. Mr Donovan said: "I didn’t see it as a rusting, dented piece of scrap metal but a beautiful shape that had memories of combat and freedom. It’s wonderful to be a part of the great art of aviation."

The Times
January 3, 2009