Memphis Belle

The Memphis Belle is a Boeing-built B-17F-10-BO Flying Fortress that was made famous by a 1944 documentary film directed by Major William Wyler, Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress. She completed 25 combat missions with the Eighth Air Force on 19 May 1943 - one week after the B-17F Hell's Angels on 13 May 1943. But the Belle was the first 8th Air Force aircraft to return to the United States for a War bond tour.

I first saw the Memphis Belle at the Memphis International Airport around 1985. She had been placed on a pedestal near the 91st Bomb Group (H) Restaurant and was deteriorating from weather and vandalism. The City of Memphis did little to protect her but eventually moved her to Mud Island in the Mississippi River in 1987. Thankfully, in September 2004, the National Museum of the United States Air Force notified the city that it wanted her back for restoration.

The Belle arrived safely at the museum in mid-October 2005 and was placed in the museum's restoration facility. Finally, to coincide with the 75th anniversary of her completing her 25th mission, the Memphis Belle was placed on display in the Museum’s World War II gallery on May 17, 2019.