Warbird Information Exchange

Air Force gives 60-day reprieve on moving Memphis Belle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Almost three weeks after announcing the famed Memphis Belle warplane would be moved to Ohio, the Air Force is giving the city more time to find a way to keep the plane.

The decision allows 60 days for the city and the Air Force to work out an agreement, which could include a timeline committing local authorities to getting necessary preservation and presentation work completed.

The delay is the result of efforts by Memphis officials and members of Congress to reverse the Air Force decision announced Oct. 5.

"Memphians saved this historic aircraft from the junkyard almost 60 years ago, and Memphians are currently restoring it to its original state," said U.S. Rep. Harold Ford Jr., D-Tenn.

"We will keep working together as a community to keep this historic aircraft in Memphis where it belongs."

The Belle was one of the first B-17s to complete a required 25 combat missions over German-occupied Europe. Its crew came home for a nationwide bond-selling tour and the Belle became a wartime symbol of heroism and sacrifice.

Pilot Robert Morgan named the plane in honor of Margaret Polk, his Memphis sweetheart, and the plane's nose was decorated with leggy paintings of a young woman. The couple broke up shortly after Morgan returned from Europe.

The Belle is owned by the Air Force, which wants to move it to its national museum in Dayton, Ohio, to become part of the World War II exhibit.

"The Memphis Belle is a very strong part of Memphis's history. It's a strong part of our cultural tourism base. It's a treasure for this city and we don't want to lose it," said Kevin Kane, president of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Memphis Belle Memorial Association was formed in 1975, when the Air Force raised concerns about the plane's condition and began talking about taking it back.

The association raised private donations to partially restore the Belle and put it on public display. Last year the plane was moved to a hangar at a former Navy air base for more restoration.

Morgan's widow, Linda Morgan, said he wanted the plane to go to the Ohio museum.

"I'm disappointed because everybody keeps saying they're going to do something and then they don't do it," said Morgan, of Crane Hill, Ala. "I'm disappointed with the Air Force a little; they're either going to take the airplane back, or they're not."

End of story

Looks like the locals got their elective officials involved.

http://www.memphisbelle.com/

I knew there was more to this story. Sounds like Gen. Metcalf is trying to light a fire under the Memphis belle folks to get some results. But who can tell what the whole story is.

Shay

...Why not give the Belle to Moto Art! It will get national recognition, maybe spruced up a bit with some chrome and plating to get rid of that old frumpy OD, and then could be sold for 10-15 times its real scrap value...

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

The city of Memphis has had decades to do something with the Belle. I don't think they should get another chance. Let the air force have it back and get her properly restored.

I hope this wakes some of them up and brings in the funds and a good safe home for her. Sometimes this bluff works, Some times they (USAF) has the cards to back up the bluff. All I want to see is that the Belle is restored and preserved for future generations.

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www.tailhookstudio.com

I sat on the fence on this for quite awhile but I am now inclined to agree that it needs to go back to the USAF. The City of Memphis has had warning after warning and chance after chance to get the plane properly restored and housed indoors.

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Victory By Valor (Motto of the 20th Fighter Group)

And they still have not accomplished a great deal. Now that the local politicians are involved the USAF has to play the game, but I don't see sixty days making any difference to the final outcome when it took sixty years to get to this point in the first place.

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It's you and me against the world.

We attack at dawn.

Well I think they should repaint her as she was when my father-in-law flew it as a TB-17 with 815th BS 483rd BG...now there...