Memphis Belle interview on Warbird Radio

[Dave Homewood]

I have just listened to the interview done by the guys at Warbird Radio with Dr. Harry Friedman about the history and restoration of the famous B-17 'Memphis Belle'. This was an episode of the Warbirds Rescue Show.

What a really great and informative interview. Harry is a great speaker and so interesting. Well done to Warbird Radio for this excellent programme, which can be downloaded from their website (when you're signed in) at http://www.warbirdradio.com/shows/the-w ... scue-show/

[Dave Homewood]

I have just listened to Matt's interview with Kermit Weeks too, wow, really great to hear and veru inspirational. What a wonderful chap Mr Weeks is. I'd love to one day get to visit his collection. I really enjoyed his flying displays in his Albatross at Omaka this year, and hope he'll return again to NZ for future airshows.

Another great interview in Warbird Radio's archive is the one with the WASP Betty Wall, she's so full of life and enthusiasm for flying even at 91. Amazing that she flew an F-16 in her 70's!

[mustangdriver]

Thank you so much. It was an honor to talk with Harry. He has a ton of knowledge about the Belle and B-17's. Thanks for listening. This week we are having Cindy Beck from TriState Aviation on.

[Dave Homewood]

Oh excellent, I will have to listen to that one. They own one of 'our' RNZAF P-40's.

I interviewed one of NZ's few remaining combat P-40 pilots last week and I noted in his logbook later that he actually flew NZ3119. He also flew several Harvards at the same time which are still around in museums and collections, and P-40E NZ3039 which is now on display at MOTAT in Auckland!

[Dave Homewood]

Spurred on by my recent listen to the interview, I rewatched the Wyler film today. A couple of things that always nag at me as I watch it came up again and I thought I'd ask here.

Firstly, though my copy is on a professinionally made DVD in a set of old wartime documentaries, the quality is very poor. It has a crackly soundtrack, and faded, yellowed look to the picture with lots of static and artifacts in the visual, and it actually looks like it was taken from an old, overused VHS copy and that in turn was from an old reel film I'd think. Has this film ever been released in a digitally remastered, recoloured version with crisp, sharp vivid colour and clear soundtrack? If so, dod they do it in Region 4 DVD?

The other thing that always strikes me is how the colour of the dress on the Belle on the port side appears red, and the starboard appears blue. Am I seeing things? Was it repainted at some point during the making of Wyler's films?

Are any of the Belle's crew still alive now?

[mustangdriver]

Hi there, you should check out Amazon as there is more recent attempts at cleaning up the old film. I own the set with bonus unused footage, and it is pretty cool. Just not sure about it being out for Region 4.

None of the Belle crew is left. Robert Morgan passed away after suffering a fall. One of his last wishes was to know the Belle was going to go to Dayton. The City of Memphis just did not have the interest needed to see her moved indoors. The MBMA fought a good fight keeping the Belle around.

The Dress was done in blue on one side and red on the other. I think that was done for a simple reason like they just liked that. The wheel covers also are painted blue and red with that design on it to match the dresses.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks for the info.