On March 14, 2018 the B17F Memphis Belle moved from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force’s Restoration Hangar to the museum’s World War II Gallery. Although the iconic aircraft is now inside the WWII Gallery, it will continue to remain out of public view until it is unveiled in a new exhibit following a ribbon cutting ceremony on the morning of May 17 - exactly 75 years after its crew finished their last mission in the war against Nazi Germany on May 17, 1943.

Who completed the restoration?

Both professional museum restoration staff and technically qualified volunteers are worked on the Memphis Belle’s restoration.

Is the museum planning to hold a special event when the Memphis Belle is placed on display?

Plans are underway for a three day event (May 17-19, 2018) to include a WWII-era aircraft fly-in, WWII reenactors, WWII vehicles, memorabilia and artifact displays, music from the era, related guest speakers for lectures, book signings and films, including both Memphis Belle films in the Air Force Museum Theatre. The museum will place updates and details as they become available on the museum’s website. Please visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

What will happen to the B-17G Shoo Shoo Baby?

Where can I find more information and/or photos of the Memphis Belle?

The museum has a fact sheet with a number of photos and videos available on the museum’s website at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

Why is the Memphis Belle so unique?

The Memphis Belle™, a B-17F Flying Fortress, is one of the most famous aircraft in history. The Memphis Belle and its crew became timeless symbols of the service and sacrifice of the heavy bomber crews and support personnel who helped defeat Nazi Germany. In May 1943 it became the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to return to the United States after completing 25 missions over Europe. At the time, completing 25 missions was an important milestone in a combat tour – it meant that the Airmen could come home.

Upon its 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.

Additional information about the Memphis Belle is available on the museum’s website at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil

How did the Memphis Belle get its name?

The pilot of the Memphis Belle™, then-Lt. Robert Morgan, named the aircraft after his wartime girlfriend, Margaret Polk, of Memphis, Tenn. Morgan chose the artwork from a 1941 George Petty illustration in Esquire magazine.

When did the Memphis Belle arrive at the museum?

The Boeing B-17F Memphis Belle™ arrived at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in October 2005. It has been undergoing a full restoration since that time.

How did the museum obtain the Memphis Belle?

The Memphis Belle™ was located in Memphis, Tenn., from 1946 until 2005. The Memphis Belle Memorial Association Inc., the Memphis Belle War Memorial Foundation and Memphis community were given the opportunity to develop, fund and implement plans for the proper restoration and exhibit of the Belle. However, they were unable to do so, so the aircraft was recalled to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in 2005. As a prominent and famous part of the national collection of the U.S. Air Force, the Memphis Belle deserves a level of care and public visibility befitting its proud history and identity as an icon of American air power.

I’ve seen the Memphis Belle at air shows. Is it the original?

No, the B-17 with “Memphis Belle” markings seen at many air shows is not the original aircraft. It is a later model B-17 which was used in the movie “The Memphis Belle.” The original Memphis Belle is located at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, where it is undergoing restoration.

Will the aircraft be restored to airworthy status?

The Memphis Belle™ will be restored as close to original condition as possible and for static display purposes only due to its historical significance. While most of the aircraft at the museum have the potential to be made airworthy, our conservation and restoration work is directed at preserving the historical integrity and accuracy of an aircraft, rather than achieving modern airworthiness. In preserving historical accuracy, we choose to use original parts that may be unserviceable or non-airworthy, rather than modern substitutes. The Memphis Belle, for example, will use wiring made to original wartime specification, which does not meet today’s flight standards, rather than wiring used in modern aircraft. This is vital to our mission of preserving the record copies of these aircraft for future generations to come.

Where have the parts for the restoration come from?

Parts not already available are being donated and purchased. In addition, our restoration staff has fabricated parts during some of the restoration.

Can you estimate what percentage of the completed Memphis Belle were original to the aircraft or vintage World War II parts?

Approximately 95 percent of the completed restoration will be vintage parts from the World War II era.