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By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:13 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The other side, note the different colour of the girl's (minimal) clothing
By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The plaque detailing this magnificent achievement
By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
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By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The tail cone, tail gunner's cramped position
By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:18 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Finally . . . the ball turret, even more cramped!
By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:36 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Papa Lima, is this the real Memphis Belle?
By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:40 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Absolutely!
Rescued from the ravages of weather and vandals after 16 years on Mud Island just outside Memphis. Now the property of the US Air Force Museum, Dayton, but being restored on lease by the Memphis Belle Memorial Association.
By: - 21st March 2004 at 15:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
What can I say. Beautifull pics.
I hope that the weather in Sweden stays miserable. Then you might find some time to post more of these great items!:D :p :D
Is it restored for static display?
By: - 21st March 2004 at 16:33 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
So whats with the Memphis Belle painted on the Sally B then? :confused:
By: - 21st March 2004 at 16:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The one I photographed was the genuine article, due in 1946 to be scrapped at Altus, Oklahoma, but an anonymous Memphis donor provided money to save the aircraft for posterity. After 16 years at Mud Island she is now being restored in a climate-controlled hangar.
By: - 21st March 2004 at 17:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Originally posted by Kye
So whats with the Memphis Belle painted on the Sally B then? :confused:
This is left over from Sally-B's time as one of the 5 B-17's used in the making of the movie-film 'Memphis Belle'.
Quite why this is case some 16 years after filming finished remains a complete mystery to me.....:confused: :eek:
By: - 21st March 2004 at 18:03 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Great pictures. I just finished reading the book The Man Who Flew The Memphis Belle, which is a great book about the experiences of the pilot Robert Morgan.
By: - 22nd March 2004 at 09:00 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Originally posted by Firebird
This is left over from Sally-B's time as one of the 5 B-17's used in the making of the movie-film 'Memphis Belle'.
Quite why this is case some 16 years after filming finished remains a complete mystery to me.....:confused: :eek:
As a reminder of the aircraft's film role?
Surely the 'Belle must rank as one of the best-preserved examples of a warbird in original condition?
By: - 22nd March 2004 at 10:10 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Originally posted by Papa Lima
Absolutely!
Rescued from the ravages of weather and vandals after 16 years on Mud Island just outside Memphis. Now the property of the US Air Force Museum, Dayton, but being restored on lease by the Memphis Belle Memorial Association.
Here are a couple of shots of the THE 'Memphis Belle' on Mud Island, Memphis, in June 1999.
Like the Spitfire TE184 at Halton, I think the poor state of presentation and condition has been a little overstated.
Under a massive well ventilated 'Dome' structure, I thought she looked rather splendid.
Mark
By: - 22nd March 2004 at 10:28 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Apparently the biggest problem was vandalism and parts being stolen, also birds nesting inside. This according to Peter Cash, our tour guide at Millington.
By: - 22nd March 2004 at 12:46 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Originally posted by DazDaMan
As a reminder of the aircraft's film role?Surely the 'Belle must rank as one of the best-preserved examples of a warbird in original condition?
The original paint scheme is completely different to the film scheme anyhow, different nose art and camoflage etc.
Still, dont care too much as its the B17 flying in the air that i care about most although the wierd paint scheme does baffle me.
By: - 22nd March 2004 at 13:51 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Originally posted by DazDaMan
Surely the 'Belle must rank as one of the best-preserved examples of a warbird in original condition?
I'm a little puzzled by this comment, Daz, as Sally B has been extensively modified over the years. Originally built with the late type "Cheyenne" turret, all the turrets were removed when she was used for the research with the USAF. There were more mods for the role as an aerial photography aircraft with the French. Then when she was brought to Britain, she was modified for the "Memphis Belle" movie with the Cheyenne tail turret installation being replaced by an earlier style... so she's had a fair bit of messing about done. This is in no way a criticism of B17 Preservation, as they've done a wonderful job restoring her to a representative condition, but it's not "preserved original condition", as far as I can see.
Look at P7350 for a nice preserved warbird in original condition ;)
By: - 22nd March 2004 at 13:57 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
No no, dear boy, the original 'Belle is what I meant! ;)
Of course, P7350 is a beautifully preserved beast, too... ;)
By: - 22nd March 2004 at 13:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
I think Daz was referring to 'Memphis Belle' (ie: the real one), not 'Sally B' !
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By: Papa Lima - 21st March 2004 at 15:12
Something (probably the miserable weather in West Sweden just now) has prompted me to offer these pix for your delectation. Taken last year at Millington, Tennessee, during a fantastic 4-week trip through the mid-west USA with BAES.
They show most of the parts, including a row of 4 engines.