'Memphis Belle' in Memphis

The best news is there is more than one being restored.
In the same hangar as the Belle is the sole surviving “Sharktail” early B-17…a D, a early-war combat veteran named The Swoose.

And about 30 miles from those two ships is the restoration effort of a private group of a B-17G currently called Champaign Lady.

And at the Mighty 8th museum located near Savannah ,Ga is this one.

Fantastic that a B17 is being restored…Lincoln .7

The best news is there is more than one being restored.
In the same hangar as the Belle is the sole surviving “Sharktail” early B-17…a D, a early-war combat veteran named The Swoose.

And about 30 miles from those two ships is the restoration effort of a private group of a B-17G currently called Champaign Lady.

Fantastic that a B17 is being restored, be it in one year or 10, I have a great deal of respect to all the restorers who give their time in restoration work, whatever aircraft they work on.You are keeping History alive and also showing off your workmanship.
Jim.
Lincoln .7

The locals did a nice job of starting the restoration but guess the USAF had to step in and finish it.

I had a guided tour of the restoration in a hangar at Millington, TN in 2004 and the team there were doing a fantastic job of restoring the B-17. I firmly believe there was no need for the USAFM to ‘reclaim’ it to finish the job at Dayton. They had a very well equipped and well funded operation in Memphis, and there is no better place for her to be. Granted there was some corrosion after many years in the open and under a tent, but she wouldn’t have been put back in that situation after the restoration.

Andy

BlueNoser352 glad you liked them.
Here are some more, again from May 16, 2011.

The second photo is the ball turret. It was next to a similar unit from a B-24.

Much thanks J Boyle !!!

Much thanks for posting those Memphis Belle photos…she indeed looks so different. Its amazing she even escape the smelting pot after the war and all those years of neglect sitting outside in Memphis . The locals did a nkice job of starting the restoration but guess the USAF had to step in and finish it.
It will be a great day when the lady is finished and on public display for all to see & treasure! Thanks again for the photos J Boyle!!!!

BlueNoser352!

B-17 that Morgan flew with the 391st BG.

91st, surely? Bassingbourn?

I was lucky enough to meet Morgan at Duxford in the 1990s; very pleasant chap, despite being regularly pestered for autographs!

Maybe some fellow FlyPast member has been to the USAF Museum lately and took some photos of The Belle’s restoration status and can share here.
BlueNoser352

Here are some photos of the Belle in late May, 2011.
Judging by what they’re doing with the stabilizer, it looks like they’ve found some corrosion.

The work is coming along and they’re pulled resources from the B-17D Swoose restoration to get the job done sooner.
They said it should be done in 2-3 years.

I have more photos if anyone is interested.

Col Robert K Morgan …Memphis Belle

Graham , hey great story thanks for posting this and this is a wonderful work of art for the citizens of Memphis and all who know of the wartime romance between Margret Polk and Robert K Morgan. The folks there are still not happy over losing the real B-17 that Morgan flew with the 391st BG. Today under going restoration at the USAF museum in Dayton, Ohio.
While their relationship did not end in marriage they did remain friends long after war as the story says. Had the honor of knowing Col Morgan years after the war…… one great individual. Sadly now time has taken all the original crewmen of the Belle. I remember back in 1994 Col Morgan at Duxford wearing his “pinks & greens” in front of Queen Elizabeth for a ceremony there.

Plus his return to the UK with other crew members dueing the making of the movie ” The Memphis Belle back in the early 90’s ! Col Morgan was one prince of a fellow and as a young officer in the UK said “we drank anything we could get our hands on out of a bottle”…or something to that effect…they did some real “elbow” bending in the pubs around London while on leave. Great story and thanks for sharing !

Maybe some fellow FlyPast member has been to the USAF Museum lately and took some photos of The Belle’s restoration status and can share here.

Thanks

BlueNoser352