Movie “Memphis Belle” Flying-High, Again
by Austin Hancock
As most readers will know, the famous, combat-veteran Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress known as Memphis Belle (Serial 41-24485) is undergoing restoration to static-display status at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, in Dayton, OH. While this occurs, the B-17G marked in her honor as “The Movie” Memphis Belle (Serial 44-83546, N3703G) has recently returned to flight status at the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York. Just in case there remains any confusion between the two aircraft due to their similar names and nose art, for reference, we offer here a quick list of answers to FAQs on the two magnificent Belles:
Original Memphis Belle
- Location: National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, OH
- Status: Restoration to Static Display
- Type: B-17F
- History: One of the first USAAF Bombers to complete her tour of duty over Axis Europe; 25 Missions
“The Movie” Memphis Belle
- Location: National Warplane Museum, Geneseo, NY
- Status: Airworthy
- Type: B-17G (converted in the 1980s to represent an “F” model)
- History: Represented Memphis Belle in the 1990 movie “Memphis Belle,” directed by Michael Caton-Jones
In the winter of 2016, “The Movie” Memphis Belle (now nicknamed the “MMB”) relocated to Geneseo after her touring-stint with The Liberty Foundation came to a close. The late David Tallichet’s company The Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation owns MMB, and has had a decades-long relationship with the National Warplane Museum. They recently entered an agreement with the museum whereby both parties work to keep the vintage bomber properly maintained and operational. The National Warplane Museum had a lot of work on their hands once the MMB arrived at her new home. She needed a lot of maintenance following her national barnstorming tour with the Liberty Foundation. Four propeller overhauls, two engine overhauls, and countless hours spent on inspections and “loose end’ tie-ups kept the volunteers at the museum busy almost 24/7.
The initial aim was to get MMB flying again before the museum’s annual “Greatest Show On Turf” air show in mid-July, but unfortunately the overhaul shop wasn’t able to deliver the final engine in time. Regardless, the volunteers pushed on, and worked tirelessly through the summer. They were rewarded by her first flight on September 5th, and just ten days later, she was flying at her first air show in many, many months during the Open House at Joint Base Andrews in Clinton, Maryland. The next step with MMB is to get her on line with the rest of the National Warplane Museum’s aircraft participating in the “Historic Flight Program.” Visitors will then be able to purchase hour-long flight experiences in “The Movie” Memphis Belle. Museum volunteers plan to have this task completed shortly.
In addition to making the MMB available for rides, the volunteers will address other details with the airframe. For example, the Liberty Foundation removed the B-17’s top-turret to ease passenger loading. The National Warplane Museum still has the rare Sperry gun turret at Geneseo, and is debating the pros and cons of either re-installing it, or fabricating a “dummy” to replicate only the exterior look of the turret, but without the mechanical innards extending into the fuselage behind the pilots. The latter option, while a compromise, would save weight, and make it easier for both fare-paying passengers and crew to move around the cockpit area, while still providing an authentic exterior look for the aircraft. Either way, the “The Movie” Memphis Belle is in excellent hands, and will be flying for a long time to come… authentic war-weathered paint and all!
For more information on the National Warplane Museum, and to book a B-17 ride (in the near future), check out their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/warplanemuseum.
Related Articles
Richard Mallory Allnutt's aviation passion ignited at the 1974 Farnborough Airshow. Raised in 1970s Britain, he was immersed in WWII aviation lore. Moving to Washington DC, he frequented the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, meeting aviation legends.
After grad school, Richard worked for Lockheed-Martin but stayed devoted to aviation, volunteering at museums and honing his photography skills. In 2013, he became the founding editor of Warbirds News, now Vintage Aviation News. With around 800 articles written, he focuses on supporting grassroots aviation groups.
Richard values the connections made in the aviation community and is proud to help grow Vintage Aviation News.
It’s great to see a fortress at Geneseo again. Fuddy Duddy has be missed greatly. Hopefully MMB will help bring bombers back to “The Greatest Show on Turf. I remember the shows with several B-17s flying in formation. What a sight! Keep ’em flying!
Keep ALL B-17’s in their original form..? Including all .50 cal gun turret/gun ports.
Love to see that heavy up and flying- Beautiful ship! My Uncle flew bombing missions with the Mighty 8th out of Mendlesham England. His ship (as he would say SHIP. A not a plane!) was named Gotta Haver. Named after the actress June Haver. My bucket list to do….Go up in a. 17 to honor my Uncle!
Anyone with info and/or photos of Gotta Haver…please let me know.
thank You for getting MMB flying again!
Mike, I flew in the “Liberty Belle” in 2009. It was the realization of a life-long dream. You gotta do it; it’s worth every penny!
Love to see that heavy up and flying- Beautiful ship! My Uncle flew bombing missions with the Mighty 8th out of Mendlesham England. His ship (as he would say SHIP. A not a plane!) was named Gotta Haver. Named after the actress June Haver. My bucket list to do….Go up in a. 17 to honor my Uncle!
Anyone with info and/or photos of Gotta Haver…please let me know.
thank You for getting MMB flying .Will she be attending the Reading Pa. WW-2 Air show this June 2018!?!
My Grandfather flew in B-17’s E-F-& G models in th 12th – 15th & 8th Army Air Forces Staff Sergeant Arthur K Lincolin top turret gunner ” axis ass ache , cotton eye joe ,lil’ anche ,cotton eye joe 2 were afew that he had flown missions on credited with shooting down ME-111, FW190 & ME109″S HAVE HIS AIR MEDALS AND COMBAT AWARDS.
My family and some friends saw this plane in Wichita during it’s stint with Liberty Foundation.
I would like to know when it got it’s further restoration from the Late F model (w/astro compass bubble) to the early F model. I saw nothing that convinces me that this is the same plane, unless the restoration was completed after the movie.
All the same though, it’s a beautiful plane.
And in reflection of recent events. I’m glad I saw her.
The MMB is one of two B-17’s I visited as solo fly-ins. I saw others at airshows. But as a solo I was able to be more up close and personal.
My family and some friends saw this plane in Wichita during it’s stint with Liberty Foundation.
I would like to know when it got it’s further restoration from the Late F model (w/astro compass bubble) to the early F model. I saw nothing that convinces me that this is the same plane, unless the restoration was completed after the movie.
All the same though, it’s a beautiful plane.
And in reflection of recent events. I’m glad I saw her.
The MMB is one of two B-17’s I visited as solo fly-ins. I saw others at airshows. But as a solo I was able to be more up close and personal.