Official Tiger By The Tail J79 Sticker - General Electric J79 Turbojet Engine program slogan vinyl sticker, honoring the iconic Cold War aviation catchphrase born at Edwards Air Force Base in December 1955.
One test flight, one unforgettable exclamation, and a slogan that defined the most record-setting jet engine of the Cold War era.
In December 1955, a test pilot climbed out of the cockpit after the J79's first powered flight and declared it felt like having a tiger by the tail. That phrase became the official slogan of the General Electric J79 program and was later immortalized on a jacket patch given to J79 pilots. The engine itself earned every word of that reputation. Designed to meet a U.S. military requirement for a high-thrust, low-weight powerplant capable of Mach 2.0 combat speeds, the J79 introduced variable stator vane technology that became the foundation of modern jet engine design. It powered the F-104 Starfighter, F-4 Phantom II, B-58 Hustler, and RA-5 Vigilante, collectively setting 44 speed, altitude, and time-to-climb records. More than 17,000 J79 engines were built over a thirty-year production run, accumulating over 30 million flying hours and more supersonic flight time than any other Western military engine of the Cold War. This vinyl sticker carries that full weight of history in a durable, display-ready format suited for toolboxes, flight bags, lockers, laptops, and shadow box borders.
Perfect For: F-4 Phantom II veterans, F-104 Starfighter enthusiasts, GE aerospace history collectors, Cold War aviation buffs, engine mechanics and maintainers, military patch and sticker collectors, aviation museum supporters, flight line crew members, and anyone who wants a piece of the slogan that defined an era of American supersonic dominance. It also makes a sharp addition to tribute displays, reunion gifts, and collections built around Century Series fighters or Cold War jet propulsion history.
Tiger by the tail — the slogan, the engine, and the era, preserved in vinyl.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to swap patches on/off gear, choose hook & loop (velcro). If you’re attaching permanently to uniforms or fabric, choose sew-on. If you want quick application on compatible fabric, choose iron-on / heat seal (when offered). Backing options are shown on the page and update based on the variant you select.
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If the product is officially licensed, it will say “Officially Licensed” in the title and/or in the product details. If it doesn’t, it’s still a legitimate product—just not part of a licensed program.
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Yes—custom solutions are available (patches, name tags, lanyards, apparel). Use the custom request page and include artwork, size, backing preference, and quantity.