Memphis Belle update

[mustangdriver]

Well here is what is new so far. The project is moving along faster than once thought. The wings have been found to be in better condition than once thought. They will still be gone over, but corrosions is not too much of an issue on them. Three engines have been zero timed for the aircraft, and the fourth is in the works. The Ball turret is being restored with all of it's systems, and the top turret is finished, and get this OPERATIONAL!! The Ball turret will get the same treatment, and be made operational. It looks like the plans are to run the Belle prior to moving it to the display building.

[fotobass]

I will have a media pass for when that happens, or have a trail of dead magazine editors trailing behind me.

Well, okay...not dead, maybe...but their ears will really really hurt.

[Owen Miller]

OMG CHRIS!!!!

Please keep us posted.........

I have inlaws in OH......that is worth a trip........

[Jerry O'Neill]

Thanks for the update.
That's good news, but does "zero timing" the engines mean real "ZERO TIME" or just fixing them up with decent original parts?
I'd hate to see any airworthy parts wasted on a static museum restoration.
Jerry

[mustangdriver]

From what I understand is that the engines were in storage at the museum and are complete. They are being zero timed using all of their own parts. I know what you mean about using the airworthy parts for a static aircraft, but in the case of the Belle, I think that we should do it.

[mustangdriver]

Also, Wright engines are being used as Robert Morgan hated the Studebaker engines.

[michaelharadon]

Why no love for Studebaker engines?

[mustangdriver]

I am not sure. Robert Morgan alwasy said that he didn't like the so the crew chief always made sure that they didn't get any of them. So to be correct, we are not going to hang any on there, but when it was restored in the 90's Studebakers were used.

[hahnej]

The Belle flew with Stude engines in combat many times. True, Morgan professed to not like them, but they used what they had.

The engines that with on the Belle when it arrived at Dayton were on the Belle long before the 1990's.

[mustangdriver]

Yes those engines were installed on the belle many years ago, and while she did fly in combat with the Studebaker engines, it was not Morgans favorite thing.

[Jack Cook]

What's his beef??
Did a Studabacker run over his dog or something??

[mustangdriver]

He said he didn't get the performance out of them as he did the Wrights.

[Jack Cook]

Seems odd.
Good thing he wasn't flying a Douglas or Vega B-17
with Studabaakers. H*ll's Angel might have been first
and if CY had been in a P-86 he might have been first

[mustangdriver]

Hey Jack I got a hole in one the other day, but no one was there to see it. So you will just take my word for it right?

[Jack Cook]

Of course I would.
No one on wix would stretch the truth