Movie Memphis Belle's career?

[daveymac82c]

Hey guys and gals,

Looking at the pictures from "after the crowd leaves Geneseo" I couldn't help but enjoy the picture of the Movie Memphis Belle.

Then I got to thinking... since it's wearing the markings of another airplane, what is the true history of the plane we commonly know as Movie Memphis Belle?

Did it see combat? Was it a training airframe? Did it ever do any water bombing?

I'm curious to know.

Peace,

David M

[b29flteng]

I don't think any, of todays, flying B-17s ever saw combat.

[davem]

http://www.warbirdregistry.org/b17regis ... 83546.html

[SaxMan]

I don't think any, of todays, flying B-17s ever saw combat.

I'm pretty sure "Pink Lady" over in France saw combat with the 351st BG, although from some recent posts here, it doesn't sound like she will be flying in the near future. Also, wasn't "Chuckie" assigned to the 486th BG in the ETO?

[tulsaboy]

Even though it is not flying, I think there is some speculation that one of the static B-17s in Texas (maybe the one at Lackland?) saw some brief combat at the end of WWII. Someone can correct me, but that sure sticks in my mind...

kevin

[JDK]

I don't think any, of todays, flying B-17s ever saw combat.

I think that's correct. On the other hand, I saw this aircraft being flown in the UK for the film, by Tallichet, who did (see combat - in B-17s).

In 1989, he piloted the B-17 bomber across the north Atlantic so it could appear in the title role of the movie "Memphis Belle," about the first U.S. bomber crew to fly 25 missions over Europe during the war.
...
He had flown more than 20 World War II missions over occupied Europe as the co-pilot of a B-17 bomber, which he considered "a living symbol of American courage and sacrifice," Tallichet told the New York Daily News in 1998.

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/nov/11 ... allichet11

[bdk]

Did it ever do any water bombing?

Saw it arrive at Chino as a fire bomber and leave with turrets and guns.

[JDK]

Did it ever do any water bombing?

Saw it arrive at Chino as a fire bomber and leave with turrets and guns.

For those fires where the residents are a bit independent?

[daveymac82c]

Thanks for filling me in. Great info.

Does the Movie Memphis Belle ever travel like the CF or CAF B-17's? Or is it more of a stay local kind of bird?

I don't mean any disrespect with the comment "stay local" because I can totally understand big warbirds, especially as large and expensive as a B-17 not being operated too far from home.

Anyways, thanks again.

Peace,

David

P.S. James, you just broke your 5000th post!!!! Holy Cow!!! Speaking of you posting... when's the next "JDK's useless, but interesting Quiz 36.43B Mk XIV" coming out?

[kzollitsch]

Thanks for filling me in. Great info.

Does the Movie Memphis Belle ever travel like the CF or CAF B-17's? Or is it more of a stay local kind of bird?

I don't mean any disrespect with the comment "stay local" because I can totally understand big warbirds, especially as large and expensive as a B-17 not being operated too far from home.

It doesn't barnstorm across the country but then again, how much demand is there for multiple B-17s touring through the same spots (When you already have CF, Liberty Belle, and EAA doing it). Also, there is no ride program set up with the movie Memphis Belle. She does attend plenty of airshows though, mainly in the northeast and mid-atlantic.

[mustangdriver]

Wasn't Fuddy Duddy a VIP plane or something at the end of the war. Not a combat bird, but I thought it did fly in theatre.

[JDK]

Does the Movie Memphis Belle ever travel like the CF or CAF B-17's? Or is it more of a stay local kind of bird?

Well it did cross the Atlantic, once each way for the movie, but I think that's not what you are asking.

PS: Them 5,000 posts is scary, is all I'll say. I'll see if we can come up with a JDK's Pointless Quiz No. 5,005 soon...

[Craig59]

A copy should be in everyones library:

http://aerovintage.com/final.htm

[JBoyle]

A copy should be in everyones library:

http://aerovintage.com/final.htm

Hear, hear!!!
If you like warbirds, B-17s, or can spell B-17, you need a copy.

[mustangdriver]

I agree, and I can't even spell. I just look at all the pics. All joking aside, every warbird buff should have a copy.