PLEASE NOTE: Only 1 per person, multiple orders will be cancelled without notice.

Own a piece of rock-and-roll and aviation history. The Hemisphere Dancer PlaneTags are crafted from the original panels of Jimmy Buffett’s iconic Grumman HU-16 Albatross seaplane. This legendary aircraft, known for its adventurous spirit and connection to the Margaritaville lifestyle, has been meticulously documented and preserved by MotoArt.

Exclusively available to our mailing list subscribers, this collectible PlaneTag celebrates both aviation and music history in one beautiful keepsake.

OUR PLANE'S STORY

The Hemisphere Dancer is Jimmy Buffett’s legendary Grumman HU-16 Albatross, originally built for the U.S. Navy in 1955 as BuNo 137928. After its military service, Buffett purchased the aircraft in 1995, and it later became famous during a dramatic 1996 incident in Jamaica when he, U2’s Bono, and family were aboard and the plane was mistakenly fired upon. Today, it’s an icon of adventure, music, and aviation history.

About This Plane

• Type: Grumman HU-16 Albatross – twin-engine amphibious flying boat
• Military Service: Built as HU-16C, delivered to the U.S. Navy in 1955 as BuNo 137928. Served in Japan and during Operation Redwing, observing nuclear detonations. Retired in 1967.
• Civilian Life: Purchased by Jimmy Buffett in 1995, registered as N928J, and named the Hemisphere Dancer.
• Cultural Significance: Featured in Jimmy Buffett’s life and music legacy. In 2003, it became a fixture at CityWalk Orlando’s Lone Pine Airport Bar, remaining airworthy as per Buffett’s stipulation.
• Notable Events: Famously involved in the 1996 Jamaica incident, adding to its legendary status among fans.

Grumman HU-16 Hemisphere Dancer

PRODUCT FEATURES

• Crafted from original panels of the Hemisphere Dancer after its 2024–2025 refurbishment
• Numbered in a special edition series of 1,600
• Collectible PlaneTags size, perfect for display or framing
• Each tag is unique, preserving the character and history of the aircraft
• Limited availability: exclusive to our mailing list subscribers, only 320 available

Why You Need This PlaneTag

The Hemisphere Dancer PlaneTag is more than a collectible. It’s a tangible piece of music, pop culture, and aviation history. Whether you’re a Parrothead, aviation enthusiast, or PlaneTags collector, this keepsake connects you to Jimmy Buffett’s adventurous spirit and a legendary seaplane that has captured hearts for decades.

RELATED PRODUCTS

Check out other iconic aircraft in our collection, including planes with musical royalty and celebrity connections:

• DC-6 “Summer of Love” Tour Plane – Flown by the Monkees and Jimi Hendrix during the legendary 1967 Summer of Love tour. A must-have for rock and roll and aviation fans. View DC-6 PlaneTags
• Boeing 707 VIP Tour Plane – Tour and VIP plane for countless celebrities, famously surviving an incident with Bon Jovi on board. A piece of aviation and music history. View Boeing 707 PlaneTags
• Grumman G-21A Goose – Classic amphibious aircraft used in both civilian and military roles, representing a golden era of seaplane innovation. View G-21A PlaneTags
• Grumman G-159 Gulfstream I – Iconic turboprop business jet with a rich history in civil and military aviation, perfect for aviation collectors. View G-159 PlaneTags
• Grumman F-14 Tomcat – Legendary supersonic fighter, renowned for its role in naval aviation and iconic appearances in film and military history. View F-14 PlaneTags

SPECIFICATIONS:

• Manufacturer: Grumman
• Model: HU-16C Albatross
• Tail #: N928J (ex-USN BuNo: 137928)
• Crew: 2
• Passengers: 10
• Wing Span: 96 ft 8 in
• Length: 62 ft 10 in
• Height: 25 ft 10 in

PERFORMANCE:

• Range: 1,650 mi
• Cruise Speed: 210 mph
• Service Ceiling: 21,500 ft
• Empty Weight: 22,900 lb
• Max Takeoff Weight: 33,000 lb
• Rate Of Climb: 1,070 ft/min
• Engine: 2 × Wright R-1820-76A Cyclone (1,425 hp each, radial piston)

DISCLAIMER

© 2025 Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC. Margaritaville® is a registered trademark of Margaritaville Enterprises, LLC and is used under license.

Perfect Aviation Gift

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.

*Important Notice – Please Read Carefully

If the item is returned, a restocking fee of 15% will be applied. For more details, please visit our return policy page.

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.