The crew of the "Memphis Belle"® after their 25th mission: (l to r) TSgt. Harold Loch (top turret gunner/engineer), SSg.t Cecil Scott (ball turret gunner), TSgt. Robert Hanson (radio operator), Capt. James Verinis (copilot), Capt. Robert Morgan (pilot), Capt. Charles Leighton (navigator), SSgt. John Quinlan (tail gunner), SSgt. Casimer Nastal (waist gunner), Capt. Vincent Evans (bombardier), and SSgt. Clarence Winchell (waist gunner). (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (10/2005) -- (From left to right) 88th Air Base Wing Engineering Equipment Operator Chris Moon and National Museum of the United States Air Force Restoration Technicians Tim Ward and Greg Hassler unload the fuselage of the B-17F "Memphis Belle" into the museum's restoration hangar. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio - Radio operator's compartment in the B-17 "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio - Restoration Specialist Bob Webb points out the corrosion in the frame member of the B-17 "Memphis Belle." The newly pressed frame is behind the item being replaced. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio - Ball turret area in the aft fuselage section of the B-17 "Memphis Belle" in restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Photo shows where corrosion was discovered in the area covered by a circuit breaker panel. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - B-17 "Memphis Belle" inboard wing standing up beside F-86A fuel drop tanks in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Museum volunteer John Vance works on a "Memphis Belle" landing gear strut in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Ball turret of the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Interior of the tail gunner section of the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Parts of the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - A section of the wing from the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Part of a wing from the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - A section of a wing from the "Memphis Belle" at the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Four Wright R-1820-97 turbosupercharged radials of 1200 hp each from the B-17F "Memphis Belle." These engines are in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - One of the the "Memphis Belle" engines, a Wright R-1820-97 turbosupercharged radial of 1,200 hp, in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Part of the a wing from the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Tail gunner position of the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Ball turret of the B-17F "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Part of a wing from the B-17F "Memphis Belle" in restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - The B-17F "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Memorial sign that sits in front of the B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Interior fuselage of the B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - A close-up of the nose art of the B-17F "Memphis Belle" while in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - The B-17F "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft is being stripped to bare metal. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This photo shows some of the graffiti on the aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft is being stripped to bare metal. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- A section of the wing from the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in restoration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- Ball turret of the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- Museum volunteer Steve Markman works on the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (10/2007) -- Wright R-1820-97 turbosupercharged radial engines from the B-17F "Memphis Belle." These engines are in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- A section of the wing from the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- A section of the wing from the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (11/2007) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" undergoing restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Tom Bachman tags a section of the famous B-17 bomber, Memphis Belle, in the Restoration Division of the National Museum of the United States of the Air Force on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The restoration is expected to take ten year restoration to complete. The museum is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum featuring 400 aerospace vehicles on more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Mr. Bachman is a restoration specialist. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)
DAYTON, Ohio (02/2007) - Memorial sign that sits in front of the B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration area of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
Tom Bachman tags a section of the famous B-17 bomber, Memphis Belle, in the Restoration Division of the National Museum of the United States of the Air Force on Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. The restoration is expected to take ten year restoration to complete. The museum is the world's largest and oldest military aviation museum featuring 400 aerospace vehicles on more than 17 acres of indoor exhibit space. Mr. Bachman is a restoration specialist. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo)
DAYTON, Ohio (07/2007) -- Museum volunteer Steve Markman works on the "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Craig Scaling, Airshow Traveler)
DAYTON, Ohio (8/31/2009) - The B-17F Memphis Belle tail gun position in the Restoration Hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The sheet metal is being repainted and fabricated as needed. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio - Members of the 315th Maintenance Squadron out of Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., work on a stand for the B-17F Memphis Belle's wing during a two-week stay at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where the group worked in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio - Members of the 315th Maintenance Squadron out of Charleston Air Force Base, S.C., piece together a holding fixture for the B-17F Memphis Belle's wing during their two-week stay at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where the group worked in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (04/2010) -- A restoration specialist works on the B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the Restoration Hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. William Greer)
DAYTON, Ohio (04/2010) -- Restoration specialist Nick Almeter works on the B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the Restoration Hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. William Greer)
DAYTON, OHIO (12/2011) -- Restoration specialist Dave Robb works on the B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (12/2011) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
DAYTON, Ohio (12/2011) -- The B-17F "Memphis Belle" in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The Memphis Belle, a B-17F Flying Fortress, is one of the most famous aircraft in history. In May 1943 it became the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. The pilot, then-Lt. Robert Morgan, named the aircraft after his wartime girlfriend, Margaret Polk, of Memphis, Tenn. Lt. Morgan chose the artwork from a 1941 George Petty illustration in Esquire magazine.
Flying in the 324th Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group (Heavy), the Memphis Belle and its crew of 10 flew their first combat mission on Nov. 7, 1942. Until the arrival of long-range fighters later in the war, USAAF heavy bombers often flew without escort for part of their missions. Faced with hordes of enemy aircraft, deadly antiaircraft fire and the lack of friendly fighters in the target area, it was highly unlikely that a bomber crew would finish their required 25 missions.
The crew of the Memphis Belle beat the odds with their 25th combat mission on May 17, 1943, against the naval yard at Lorient, France. Interestingly, this raid was the Belle's 24th combat mission--the original crew occasionally flew missions on other 91st BG (H) B-17s (and others took the Belle on some missions also). So, on May 19, the Memphis Belle flew its 25th combat mission on a strike against Kiel, Germany, while manned by a different crew.
Upon their return to the United States in June 1943, the Memphis Belle's crew flew the aircraft across the country on a three-month war bond and morale boosting tour. With the bond tour and the 1944 William Wyler documentary film titled The Memphis Belle -- depicting actual combat footage -- the aircraft and its crew became widely known and celebrated. In 1990 a major motion picture of the same name added to their fame.
For many, the story of the Memphis Belle has become a timeless symbol of all the heroic USAAF bomber crews who flew against Nazi Germany in World War II. In need of a thorough restoration, the Memphis Belle arrived at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in October 2005. A careful, multi-year conservation and restoration effort by museum staff -- including corrosion treatment, the full outfitting of missing equipment and accurate markings -- will bring the Memphis Belle back to pristine condition.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: 13 .50-cal machine guns (normally only 12 on combat missions) and 8,000 lbs of bombs Engines: Four 1,200 hp Wright R-1820-97 turbosupercharged radials Maximum speed: 325 mph Range: 2,800 miles Ceiling: 37,500 ft.
