The B-17F Memphis BelleTM will be placed on permanent public display on Thursday, May 17, 2018, with celebratory events on May 17-19, 2018.
The preliminary schedule of events is as follows:
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
7 a.m. Museum gate opens
8 a.m.-9 a.m.* B-17s, P-51s and trainer aircraft
land on runway behind the museum**
(visitors may watch from Memorial Park)
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum open
Thursday, May 17, 2018
8 a.m. Museum gate opens
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Museum open
9:15-9:30 a.m.* B-17F Memphis BelleTM Exhibit
ribbon cutting and public opening
9 a.m.-4 p.m. B-17s, P-51s and trainer aircraft
on static display on the runway
behind the museum**
9 a.m.-4 p.m. WWII reenactors and vehicles
6:30 p.m. Living History Film Series ($)
“The Memphis Belle: A Story of a
Flying Fortress” (1944)
in the Air Force Museum Theatre
(tickets required)
Friday, May 18, 2018
8 a.m. Museum gate opens
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum open
9 a.m.-4 p.m. B-17s, P-51s, and trainer aircraft
on static display on the runway
behind the museum**
9 a.m.-4 p.m. WWII reenactors and vehicles
4:30 p.m.* B-17s, P-51s, and trainer aircraft
take-off from runway behind museum**
(visitors may watch from Memorial Park)
6-7:15 p.m. Big Band Concert
featuring Glenn Miller music
performed by Air Force Bands
(free, no tickets needed - bring your own lawn chairs, refreshments available for purchase)
Saturday, May 19, 2018
8 a.m. Museum gate opens
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Museum open
9 a.m.-4 p.m. WWII reenactors and vehicles
10:30 a.m. Armed Forces Day Plane Talks
- 3:30 p.m.
throughout WWII aircraft flyovers**
the day
4:30 p.m. Living History Film Series ($)
“The Memphis Belle” (1990)
in the Air Force Museum Theatre
(tickets required)
Other activities throughout three-day event
Education Programs
Education Programs will take place in the Learning Center, STEM Learning Nodes, and WWII Gallery.
Visitors will be able to build, test and fly small balsa wood gliders to demonstrations on the four forces of flight. Children can complete a Ration Card Scavenger Hunt for a prize (while supplies last). Other activities will provide visitors with a better understanding on how aircraft like the B-17 Memphis Belle were able to perform its critical wartime missions. Other educational games will be available for the public to test their knowledge about the WWII era. (Interested schools and youth groups should contact the museum's Education Division at nationalmuseum.mut@us.af.mil or (937) 255-4652).
Book Signings
Book signings will take place in the WWII Gallery
and the Museum Store
“Memphis Belle: Dispelling the Myths” Graham Simons and Harry Friedman
“Images of War” Graham Simons
“Shot Down” Steve Snyder
Food Options
Cafes will be available indoors 9 a.m. until one hour before closing. Food trucks will be available outdoors Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
*Time is approximate.
**Please note this is not an open fly-in. Wright Field is a closed runway and not open for general aviation use.
Details are still being finalized. Schedule is subject to change. Outdoor activities are weather dependent.