Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:15 am
The most complete investigation of the Memphis Belle missions story was achieved in the book "Memphis Belle Home at Last" by Menno Duerkesen (sp). You can read all about the research there.
Interestingly, I met the last pilot who flew the Memphis Belle when it was ferried from Altus, OK to MEM when we had the Liberty Belle at the Dyersburg AAB reunion this past Sept. He too was quite an experienced 17 veteran.
The official USAF statement is; "it was the first B-17 to complete 25 missions and be returned home" You'll discover in the book that all the crewmembers had completed 25 missions - but, not necessarily on Memphis Belle. And yes, other airplanes finished the (at the time) required 25 missions sooner.
Complex and well documented.
Interestingly, I met the last pilot who flew the Memphis Belle when it was ferried from Altus, OK to MEM when we had the Liberty Belle at the Dyersburg AAB reunion this past Sept. He too was quite an experienced 17 veteran.
The official USAF statement is; "it was the first B-17 to complete 25 missions and be returned home" You'll discover in the book that all the crewmembers had completed 25 missions - but, not necessarily on Memphis Belle. And yes, other airplanes finished the (at the time) required 25 missions sooner.
Complex and well documented.
Tue Dec 19, 2006 9:37 am
I agree with you guys on just abotu all of this. I can't remember the name of Jim's B-17 that he got. I want to say that it had the name Yankee in it somehere. I am not sure. But the main claim to fame for the Memphis Belle is it was the first B-17 in the 8th AF to fly 25 missions AND be sent home. Either way, it is an honor to have her in the restoration shop, and can't wait until she is on display in the museum.
Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:00 pm
I believe Verinis' airplane was "Connecticut Yankee".
????
Tue Dec 19, 2006 12:22 pm
Verinis got screwed by history. He's not a pilot but a co-pilot. Has the stupid remake movie co-pilot said "I'm sitting in the dummies seat!"
Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:06 pm
B25PBYGUY wrote:I believe Verinis' airplane was "Connecticut Yankee".
Tue Dec 19, 2006 1:07 pm
B25PBYGUY wrote:I believe Verinis' airplane was "Connecticut Yankee".
You're correct!
Jim's B-17 was "Connecticut Yankee"!
Jerry
the Belle
Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:06 pm
And I thought I knew B-17 history. I dont hold a candle to some of you guys. thanks for the facts.
Tue Dec 19, 2006 4:11 pm
You guys know what is really sad? They had the chance to make a great movie about the Memphis Belle and screwed it up. Even if they had just changed the name and made it about a different aircraft it would not have been so bad. The guy hanging from the Bomb bay just kills me. But there you had 5 B-17's all made to look like F models from the same Bomb Group. Could have been really great.