daveincincy
14 years ago
[cut/paste from another site]
The B-17 Flying Fortress "MEMPHIS BELLE" (Serial No. 41-24485) was one of 12,750 B-17's built by the Boeing Aircraft Co. The BELLE was the most famous because she was the first heavy bomber in Hitler's European war theatre to complete 25 combat missions and keep her entire crew alive. She flew for 10 months from November 7, 1942 to May 17, 1943.
[end cut/paste]

A replica of the Memphis Belle was in town this weekend. It had been flying over the neighborhood all weekend so I thought I'd take my boys down to the small airport, just minutes away, to check it out. There was supposed to be a P-40 Warhawk down there as well, but I don't think it ever showed up. For $450 you could take a ride in the B-17 that lasted about 20 - 30 minutes. That's a bit pricey for me, but for some old veterans that were there to see it or for some WW2 aircraft enthusiasts it was probably a price worth paying to them. A ride in the P-40 (if it ever showed up) would set you back just over $1100 for the same amount of time. 😱 The plane was smaller than I expected it to be, but it was a cool piece of history to look at. It wasn't surprising to see some WW2 vets there. The original Memphis Belle is currently being restored not too far in Dayton, OH at the National Museum of the US Air Force (Wright Patterson Air Force Base)http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/exhibits/restoration/index.asp

Slideshow of Memphis Belle restoration still in process
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/photos/slideshow.asp?id= {0A2C97E9-2955-40E9-AF0C-568F0BC993BA}

Some info from the foundation/organization that takes these planes "on tour" around the US.
http://www.libertyfoundation.org/b17history.html 




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glongoria
14 years ago
So cool. I saw a P-51 Mustang fly real low over our shop one day.
errasa
14 years ago
Burner02
14 years ago
Best $450 you will ever spend, go for the ride.
jackconrad
14 years ago
kip5166@gmail.com
14 years ago
My Dad, Rest in Peace, was a tailgunner on a B-24, flew 42 missions south pacific WWII. We got to go see the 24s and 17s several times at diff airshows. One time he asked the crew if he could sit in the tailgunner seat, they let him. The crew said that was the first WWII tailgunner they met that could still get into that seat! Some of my best memories from childhood were listening to his crews stories at their reunions. Oldest guy was the pilot, 22 years old, the rest were 18 or 19. Great men, and proud to serve! 13th AF, 407 Bomb Group, 424 Squadron. "The Long Rangers"
Burner02
14 years ago

My Dad, Rest in Peace, was a tailgunner on a B-24, flew 42 missions south pacific WWII. We got to go see the 24s and 17s several times at diff airshows. One time he asked the crew if he could sit in the tailgunner seat, they let him. The crew said that was the first WWII tailgunner they met that could still get into that seat! Some of my best memories from childhood were listening to his crews stories at their reunions. Oldest guy was the pilot, 22 years old, the rest were 18 or 19. Great men, and proud to serve! 13th AF, 407 Bomb Group, 424 Squadron. "The Long Rangers"

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+1 👍
Numismaniac
14 years ago
Been to a few airshows and to St Charles, MO. where the Confederate Air Force is/was?, and the Air Force Museum near Wright. That was awhile back, I would like to go back.
zitotczito
14 years ago
PDQ
  • PDQ
  • Connoisseur
14 years ago
While you probably can't use the edge of the runway any more, it is still a good idea to visit the head before taking a trip in a P-40. There are no lavatories in a fighter.
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