UK metal legends IRON MAIDEN recently held a contest to name their customized Boeing 757 that will be used to carry the band, crew and equipment for the much-anticipated Somewhere Back In Time World Tour 2008

Says manager Rod Smallwood: "From well over 2000 entries, Bruce and I chose 'Ed Force One'. ALthough many were quite original in concept, it has a nice ring to it. In the tie breaker pretty well all of you chose to flatter the band! Very nice of you! Anyway, we chose Wilson's entry - 'Timeless, inspirational, continually evolving, but always true to themselves, camaraderie that survives the evil that men do!' - I like the reference to camaraderie as I feel that it's something the Maiden and their fans are very much about."

Iron Maiden's website adds: "So big congratulations to Wilson who'll soon be sinking a few beverages with Rod backstage before watching the gig from the mixing desk as well as getting some goodies like a tour jacket a personalised signed pic of the plane. (Signed by the band, not by the plane, obviously.) We'll also be sorting out runners up prizes for the 15 other people who chose the same name!"

To view a W&BK; Photo Gallery of the Boeing 757 in action click here.

Iron Maiden's Somewhere Back In Time World Tour 2008 schedule is as follows:

February

1 - Mumbai, India - Bandra Kurla Complex
4 - Perth, Australia - Burswood Dome
6 - Melbourne, Australia - Rod Laver Arena
7 - Melbourne, Australia - Rod Laver Arena
9 - Sydney, Australia - Acer Arena
10 - Sydney, Australia - Acer Arena
12 - Brisbane, Australia - Entertainment Centre
15 - Yokohama, Japan - Pacifico Yokohama
16 - Tokyo, Japan - Messe
19 - Los Angeles, CA - The Forum
21 - Guadalajara, Mexico - Auditoria Telmex
22 - Monterrey, Mexico - Monterrey Arena
24 - Mexico City, Mexico - Foro Sol Stadium
26 - San Jose, Costa Rica - Saprisa Stadium
28 - Bogota, Columbia - Simon Bolivar Park

March

2 - Sao Paulo, Brazil - Palmeiras Stadium
4 - Curitiba, Brazil - Pedreira Paulo Leminski
5 - Porto Allegre, Brazil - Gigantinho
7 - Buenos Aires, Argentina - River Plate Stadium
9 - Santiago, Chile - Pista Atletica
12 - Puerto Rico - San Juan Coliseo
14 - New Jersey, USA - Izod Center (formerly Continental Airlines Arena)
16 - Toronto, ON - Air Canada Centre

June

27 - Bologna, Italy - Arena Parco Nord (Gods Of Metal Festival)

28/29 - Dessel, Belgium - De Boeretand (Graspop Metal Meeting)

July

1 - Paris, France - Ominisport De Bercy Arena
2 - Paris, France - Ominisport De Bercy Arena
5 - London, UK - Twickenham Rugby Stadium
9 - Lisbon, Portugal - Parque do Tejo ( Super Bock Super Rock Festival)
11 - Merida, Spain - Via De La Plata Festival
16 - Stockholm, Sweden - Stockholm Stadium
18 - Helsinki, Finland - Helsinki Olympic Stadium
19 - Tampere, Finland - Ratinan Stadion
22 - Trondheim, Norway - Lerkendalstadium
24 - Oslo, Norway - Valle Hovin
26 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Ullevi Stadium
27 - Horsens, Denmark - Horsens Gods Bane Pladsen
31 - Wachen Open Air Festival - Wacken, Germany

August

2 - Athens, Greece - Terra Vibe Park
4 - Bucharest, Romania - Cotroceni Football Stadium
7 - Warsaw, Poland - Gwardia Stadium
8 - Prague, Czech Republic - Slavia Football Stadium
10 - Split, Croatia - Split City Stadium
14 - Basel, Switzerland - St Jakobshalle