The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio will be holding a three-day series of events next May to celebrate the unveiling of their Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress 41-24485 known as Memphis Belle. As all of our readers will surely know, Memphis Belle is an iconic aircraft, being the first Army Air Forces heavy bomber to return to the United States following the completion of 25 bombing missions over Axis Europe. While a handful of other bombers and their crews could lay claim to being the first to complete their 25 missions, Memphis Belle and her crew were chosen to celebrate the feat with a War Bonds tour of the USA soon after their final combat mission together.
Museum officials will formally reveal the Memphis Belle in her new exhibit within the WWII Gallery on May 17th, to coincide to the day with the 75th anniversary of her crew completing their 25th mission together. The Memphis Belle flew her final combat mission on May 19th, 1943. According to a recent museum press release, the public ceremony next May will be the opening salvo in a “three day event (May 17-19, 2018) to include a WWII-era aircraft fly-in, WWII reenactors and 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. Activities will be both inside and outside the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.”
The preliminary schedule of events is as follows:
Thursday, May 17, 2018
- B-17F Memphis Belle Exhibit ribbon cutting
- WWII aircraft on static display on the runway behind the museum
- WWII reenactors and vehicles
- Air Force Museum Theatre Living History Event ($)
Friday, May 18, 2018
- B-17F Memphis Belle Exhibit open
- WWII aircraft on static display on the runway behind the museum
- WWII reenactors and vehicles
- Glenn Miller Concert
Saturday, May 19, 2018
- B-17F Memphis Belle Exhibit open
- WWII aircraft flyovers throughout the day
- WWII reenactors and vehicles
- Air Force Museum Theatre Living History Event ($)
Details are still being finalized, and the schedule is subject to change, so please do check with the Museum ahead of time before making your own plans. Outdoor activities are weather dependent.
Restoration Report:
The restoration team at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force has spent more than a decade returning the famous aircraft back to pristine condition. She is very close to completion, with a team spending the best part of November applying the paint scheme to the combat veteran bomber. We thought our readers might enjoy seeing some of the highlights of the painting process so far.
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.
Nice article, but we don’t use the term “ port” and “starboard” in aviation. It’s just left and right.
Well… we actually do use “ port” and “starboard” in aviation actually.
Great photos. I am in the process of restoring a 1943 Taylorcraft L2M and would love to know what kind (brand) of OD they are using for the metal and fabric?
Many thanks for writing in Jonathan. Sadly I can’t help you with your request. I would contact the museum directly for this kind of information. Please do tell us more about your project though!
Grand old bird,.. I remember seeing her at the old Army depot here in Memphis when I was just a boy.. I was there for the dedication on Mud Island as a young man. When my daughter was very young, I would take her to Mud Island where the Memphis Bell was on display. She would play in the river walk, and I got the chance to marvel at a war machine at rest. Later I tried to volunteer in the last attempt to restore her here in Memphis. She was already on the move. Good to see her in such fine shape, and in a place where she will be appreciated and cared for.
Awsome. Thank you very much guys for the restoration of one the most iconic bombers of World War II. I am a great aviation enthusiast and the B-17 is defenitly my favourite aircraft of all aircraft. Aspecialy the Memphis Belle. Glad she is in the care of the NMUSAF. She should have been moved there a long time ago! It was sad to see her decay over the years. She deserves to be treated like a lady!! So sad I can’t be there to touch her as I am living in South Africa. But thanx for the great photos. Can’t wait to see the pictures of her unveiling!! Good job!!