Years in the making. The restoration of the Memphis Belle B-17F Flying Fortress.
In 1946, The Memphis Belle was sitting in a field in Oklahoma destined to be chopped up for scrap. A newspaper reporter learned of it's fate and informed Mayor Walter Chandler of Memphis Tennessee. He bought the plane and had it shipped to Memphis. But after
60 years sitting outdoors, local groups conceited they didn't have the funds or ability to restore the Belle.
In 2005, the U.S. Air Force had the plane shipped in pieces to its repair shop in Dayton. During the War, the Memphis Belle had 5 engine changes, had portions of it's tail splintered to pieces. Its body was riddled with hundreds of holes from flak damage.
Now after 13 years in the shop, the Memphis Belle has finally been completely restored
and is now on display at the USAF National Museum in Dayton Ohio. One of many B-17's that helped to free Europe from the grips of the Nazi war machine. Hoping you will enjoy these photos I took during my visit to see this historic aircraft. Oh, and Thanks for looking...! PS: Got to meet fellow Hedgehogger "PhilGPS" while here in Dayton. A wonderful knowledgeable gentleman, great fellow photographer and a pleasure to have met. Thanks Phil...
DSC00058-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00063-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00066-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00082-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00090-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00096-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00106-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00112-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00116-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00125-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00201-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00199-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00210-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00216-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
Oh wow, absolutely gorgeous.
Stash
Loc: South Central Massachusetts
Know the story. Saw the movie. Just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
What an awesome icon of history, and the debt we owe to those who made those sacrifices.
Robyn H wrote:
Oh wow, absolutely gorgeous.
It is breathtaking to see in person. Just amazing what they did to restore her.
Thanks, You'll have a blast. The USAF National Museum has 4 hangers full of great displays plus several aircraft on display outside. I only had 2 hours (had to stay on schedule) but what I got to see was just amazing. Be prepared for some walking though.
cameraf4 wrote:
Know the story. Saw the movie. Just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
Yea, had to watch the movie again last night. They did a great job on restoring her.
toolbox wrote:
What an awesome icon of history, and the debt we owe to those who made those sacrifices.
Yes indeed we owe a lot those those who didn't make it home. I've seen figures of over 200,000 airmen lost their lives during the bombing campaign to free Europe and the UK.
Stash
Loc: South Central Massachusetts
I am a member of the air Force Museum. We've probably made a half dozen trips there. This time will be
a stop on our way home from South Dakota. It never gets old.
Nice photos of a beautiful aircraft. The B-17 is my second favorite WWII era large aircraft. It's such a shame there are so few of them left and this marvelous machine is relagated to museum duty. Birds like her are meant to fly.
[quote=James56]In 1946, The Memphis Belle was sitting in a field in Oklahoma destined to be chopped up for scrap. A newspaper reporter learned of it's fate and informed Mayor Walter Chandler of Memphis Tennessee. He bought the plane and had it shipped to Memphis. But after
60 years sitting outdoors, local groups conceited they didn't have the funds or ability to restore the Belle.
In 2005, the U.S. Air Force had the plane shipped in pieces to its repair shop in Dayton. During the War, the Memphis Belle had 5 engine changes, had portions of it's tail splintered to pieces. Its body was riddled with hundreds of holes from flak damage.
Now after 13 years in the shop, the Memphis Belle has finally been completely restored...
Great series and shots are all high quality.
I just hope at least one or two former crewmen or ground crew lived long enough to see her restored.
James56 wrote:
In 1946, The Memphis Belle was sitting in a field in Oklahoma destined to be chopped up for scrap. A newspaper reporter learned of it's fate and informed Mayor Walter Chandler of Memphis Tennessee. He bought the plane and had it shipped to Memphis. But after
60 years sitting outdoors, local groups conceited they didn't have the funds or ability to restore the Belle.
In 2005, the U.S. Air Force had the plane shipped in pieces to its repair shop in Dayton. During the War, the Memphis Belle had 5 engine changes, had portions of it's tail splintered to pieces. Its body was riddled with hundreds of holes from flak damage.
Now after 13 years in the shop, the Memphis Belle has finally been completely restored
and is now on display at the USAF National Museum in Dayton Ohio. One of many B-17's that helped to free Europe from the grips of the Nazi war machine. Hoping you will enjoy these photos I took during my visit to see this historic aircraft. Oh, and Thanks for looking...! PS: Got to meet fellow Hedgehogger "PhilGPS" while here in Dayton. A wonderful knowledgeable gentleman, great fellow photographer and a pleasure to have met. Thanks Phil...
DSC00058-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00063-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00066-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00082-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00090-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00096-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00106-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00112-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00116-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00125-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00201-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00199-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00210-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
DSC00216-01 by
James Frazier, on Flickr
In 1946, The Memphis Belle was sitting in a field ... (
show quote)
Another impressive job my friend, thanks for letting me be a part of it.
Phil
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