Memphis Belle pics

[Django]

The photo at Dayton is pretty cool.

[Jack Cook]

I'm confused, so are you saying blame Chris for the crappy tasting fried chicken?

You're not paying attention I said "crappy grilled chicken"..GEEZ

[Obergrafeter]

OK how about just plain old crappy chicken?

[Steve Nelson]

I'm just curious..are there any known photos of the Belle during her time at McDill? Last year I was wandering around the NMUSAF, and spotted a 100th BG vet (according to his hat) sitting under the wing of SSSB. We got to chatting, and he mentioned he'd flown the Belle while he was training at McDill. I asked if he'd ever taken a ride in one of the touring restored Forts, and he said "Heck no! Those planes are almost as old as I am! Besides..been there, done that!" Gotta love those old veterans!

And I love KFC and Taco Bell! White Castle, not so much....

SN

[Second Air Force]

I visited with a gentleman a couple of years ago who was an instructor at MacDill after he finished his combat tour. He didn't recall seeing the Belle while he was there (mid-'44 to early'45), but told me one Fort was pretty much the same as any other after flying them for so many hours. He recalled that they were still using a fair number of "F"s, so anything was possible.

Scott

[Holedigger]

Been searching for MacDill pics. B-17 training that she might have been involved in there would possibly have been with 463rd BG from Nov 43 to Jan 44, or the 483rd BG, Nov 43- March 44.

[res6kgcr]

Friends,

Some photos of the Belle returning to Memphis after her service at McDill.





All the best to you all,

Tom Michel

[Holedigger]

Very cool old pics.Just another tired old "F"!

[mustangdriver]

Here is a challenge. Does anyone have any documentation about the navigator's table? We were told that the table is on the wrong side of the aircraft due to the Belle being one of a batch of forts that had been modified to see if that would give the crew more room. There doesn't seem to be any Pictures, video, or written proof to back it up, and the museum wants to do it right.

[aerovin]

I haven't seen the documentary in awhile but it seems to me it had numerous shots at all the crew positions...I'm surprised the nose compartment shots don't answer this question.

[Oscar Duck]

fabulous - my father-in-law SSGT Edward J Potocki [flight engineer/top turret] trained on her with 815th BS 483rd BG before they received new G's and headed to Italy only exchange them for a bunch of tired F models from 97th BG........

[lmritger]

Chris, I sent you a PM a few days ago but I haven't heard from you... here are some links to high resolution photos found on Footnote:


Robert Morgan says farewell to his ground crew: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052327/

Gen. Eaker, MB crew, etc. at ceremony - Combat Crew Replacement Center, 9 June 1943: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052174

Crew of Memphis Belle at Laredo, TX 20 June 1943: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052203/

Gen. Devers congratulates Robert Morgan - Combat Crew Replacement Center, 9 June 1943: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052429

Memphis Belle crew in staged run after mission: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052379/

Gen. Devers and Gen. Eaker in front of MB - Combat Crew Replacement Center, 9 June 1943: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052404

TSgt. Robert Hanson, radio operator- MB: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052234/

"Memphis Belle" takes some flak to the vertical stabilizer: http://www.footnote.com/image/29022611/

GI's scratching their names into the "Memphis Belle", 7 June 1943: http://www.footnote.com/image/39052298

"Memphis Belle", port nose: http://www.footnote.com/image/32442643

"Memphis Belle", ball turret: http://www.footnote.com/image/32442675


HTH

Lynn

[Pat Carry]

The Belle is going to be one great looking plane when it is finished. I'm surely looking forward to the day when she goes on display.