Collection Features Everything from Coat Hangers to Turbine Tables

Red Tag Art’s display at the 2025 EAA Oshkosh AirVenture captured the eyes, hearts, and wallets of hundreds of aviators and aviation enthusiasts with its breathtaking handmade furniture. The designs, ranging from valve cover coat hangers to turbine inlet coffee tables, are crafted from authentic aircraft components.

Red Tag is the side business of Kelsey Cornell, who, when he’s not turning crankshafts into coffee tables, works full-time at Tulsa-based maintenance and overhaul shop Southwest Aviation Specialties.

The company started with Lycoming and Continental valve covers, quickly drawing in enough attention that Lycoming itself stepped in. Now, Red Tag pieces are sold in partnership with the company, with some profits shared by both parties. A few even ended up in museums: one in Lycoming’s collection, another in the National Archives, and one sitting in the director’s office at the Smithsonian.

Most parts are sourced from aircraft that have either been long grounded or abandoned to take up space around FBOs, until someone finally decides to clear the space. Red Tag also pulls inventory from salvage operations, auctions, hangars, and even Cornell’s day job. Every part used was already past its airworthiness certificate and destined for the dumpster, making each project a little greener.

“It’s breathing new life into something that would have just become scrap,” Cornell explained.

Cornell’s operation is small but effective. He works alongside his longtime friend Josh, a military veteran who joined the business after moving in years ago. Some pieces, like the polished C-130 prop blades, take them more than 45 hours each from start to finish. Still, the duo has managed to complete nearly 150 and 200 major builds, with about 90 percent being custom orders.

Red Tag now offers a variety of creations, including coffee tables, coat hangers, bottle openers, candles, pen holders, and more. My personal favorite piece is the METAR Cylinder Lamp: a cylinder-turned-mood-light that changes color based on real-time airport weather, programmed to wherever you call home. If nothing else, the masterpieces are a creative reminder that when airplane parts can't fly anymore, they can at least hold your drink.

FMI: https://redtagart.com