Warbird Information Exchange

it is not that we don't like the general, we don't like him threatening to sue someone because they have a airplane painted like one in the museum. To me that ranks right up there with boeing demanding a fee from model companies because they produce a B-17 model. Sorry guys, that design and name were paid for by the US Taxpayers, it is owned by them, and not by boeing. The AF never copy righted the name and has no right to tell anyone how they can paint their plane.

The General screwed the pooch on that one when he could have worked with the owner of the B-17 and used them to help promote the restoration of the Memphis Belle, and the AF museum.

Given the thousands of B17s built it does seem somewhat bloody strange to have THREE of the buggers about.

& as for the comment I read about painting one up as Hells Angels... a certain bike club has that name trade marked etc...

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Those who possess real knowledge are rare.

Those who can set that knowledge into motion in the physical world are rarer still.

The few who possess real knowledge and can set it into motion of their own hands are the rarest of all.

No, but they'll sell one of those there jerseys to anyone who wants one.

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Don't touch my junk!!

I'm beginning to wonder if the thread should be retitled Curse've Belle...

*Ducks*

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

Well I happen to think what a private enterprise does with their own property is a bit different than what a public entity does with things the taxpayers own are entirely different.

You know I'm not beating up on you or the museum as I think we are friends who can disagree. I am plenty excited about the work that is done at the NMUSAF but that doesn't mean I have to happy about every policy just to support the mission. Really the move by the NMUSAF to trademark that name Memphis Belle and the artwork is no different than if they were to sue Chrysler for using the name "Jeep" just because some GIs during WWII invented the term. You can debate your FEELINGS about using the name all you want but I think there are certain principals that should take precedence over emotion.

Jack you can buy those shirts because as dumb as it may be to you, people have heroes. They want to believe in that. It doesn't make it wrong to have a hero that is famous.
We are all entitled to our opinions, but it is rare to find anything positive said here about our national museums which for the most part do an amazing job. The NMUSAF did not threaten to sue the owners of the movie Belle for having it painted that way, but for presenting it as THE MEMPHIS BELLE". Once again, I was a crew member on this aircraft years ago, and yes it was on several occasions presented as the real aircraft. I was there saw it with my own eyes, heard it with my own ears, and corrected it when I could. They suggested repainting the nose art, but did not threaten them over a paint scheme.
I agree that you can do what you want with it if it is yours, but I think it is funny how in one thread we are baching the NMUSAF for saying that someone can't do what they wish with their aircraft, yet in another are pissed a Jack for not painting his P-51 in a certain color scheme. One standard will do just fine. MY theory is this is far beyond the Gen and the museum. If the real combat aircraft exists, then it should be the only one to carry it's markings. There are a ton of F models that served that should and could be honored by the DT B-17, but you know why it isn't repainted? That is right, they are making money off of the name.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

We are buds, and the next time we meet up, it is beers on me.

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

Why do they have that on there? I was just looking at the Sally B this weekend at Duxford, and to me, it really cheapens the airplane to have the "Belle" noseart on there.

I think that every warplane that has either the word, "Belle", "Bell", or "Bale" and every airplane that has the word, "Memphis" in it should be repainted so as not to confuse the uneducated public about the real "Memphis Belle". Also, all airplanes built by Bell should immediately be put into hangars out of public sight.


So, that means that Kermit Weeks will need to repaint his P-51C, "Ina the Macon Belle".

The Liberty foundation will need to repaint their B-17, "Liberty Bell".

Every Bell P-39 and P-63 flying in the world needs to redesignate the aircraft manufacturer to something other than Bell or be put into hiding in some hangar or storage facility out of public view.

Every warplane with the word "Memphis" in it or any other town in Tennessee should be repainted.

All of these are necessary in order to prevent confusion with the real "Memphis Belle".

There, are all of you happy now?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

What about Taco Belle???

Seems as though we are beating a dead horse again. However, I wish the "Good" General could somehow see the marketing bonanza that he is passing up with the displays that go with "The Movie Belle". How is it seen as a bad thing that they are telling people where "The Real Belle" is? I would guess that more people are gonna see "The Movie Belle" at airshows than will be able to make the trip to Dayton to see "The Real One". Again, I would love to have someone giving me free advertising on my product. (Yeah, that sounds bad...referring to The Belle as a product!)

And...I think we all hope that there are many more people working at the NMUSAF as passionate as you are mustangdriver...whether we agree with you or not. Take the criticism and comments with a grain of salt and try to remember how hard it is for someone to change your mind before you try to change others. Have a nice day

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Earn my respect and never lose it.
Demand my respect and never gain it. -Me

...just another plane dreamer.

The story I am getting is DTs 17 will be repainted in 100 th BG markings at some point.It needs the cheek guns put on it as well.That nose just doesnt look right for an airplane depicting a combat bird.

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Hang The Expense

Any one remember the old nose art it had? It was a very cool looking nose art. With all Belle talk aside. Why not honor the man who helped save this B-17 by painting it in his markings?

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Chris Henry
EAA Aviation Museum Director

While many of us did know about "H3LL's Angels" those who didn't were educated by posts similar to this. That is why discussions like this aren't the big EVIL discussion that many want to label it as. I think it shows a closed mind and lack of maturity when people can't have a simple disagreement and discuss opinions without everyone going away mad or decrying a tragic misstep of the WIX community. The purpose of an open forum is to get the input of many. For those who want a one sided conversation I suggest starting a blog.

Ryan

Certainly not with the same crew...