Memphis Belle noseart

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:18 am

gary1954 wrote:

Warbird Kid wrote:

Didn't even notice that when I saw her at Geneseo. At least the one with nipples flies! :wink:

Chris, that was a great line there. It is a shame that the minds of "management" of the museum are so narrow minded as to not have "anything" flying that represents the NMUSAF. Iwould imagine that it would generate more interest in visiting a museum to see a resting collection and seeing a flying egg-sample on the airshow circus.

That can't happen when the G model Belle is being presented as the real deal. I saw it being done with my own two eyes. No matter what arguement anyone provides about not liking the General or the NMUSAF it does not change the fact the there is only one real Belle. I have spent a great deal of time working on the movie Belle and was part of the effort to move the real one to Dayton. We all know that the nose art was a big to do, but the NMUSAF was right for doing what they did. The average person does not know that there are two Belle's and it is dishonest to not cleary inform them of what they are seeing at the museum or at an airshow ramp. One huge issue happened at the Mustang Gathering in Columbus, OH

lmritger · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:22 am

mustangdriver wrote:

I wish. The original paint on the belle is long gone. That happened during it's time in Memphis.

Jeezus, really?! What thick-skulled jackhole came up with THAT brilliant plan? If they're still alive, I'd love to slap the stupid out of them... and if not, maybe their grave needs a little "watering". :evil:

Of all the boneheaded, short-sighted, ignorant things to do- stripping the original paint and nose art off of THE iconic Air Corps bomber of WWII is pretty far up the list.

Sorry to hear that Chris.

Lynn

fotobass · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:54 am

mustangdriver wrote:

One huge issue happened at the Mustang Gathering in Columbus, OH

I don't think I heard about that.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:11 am

Some high ranking people including museum staff that were not wearing anything that identified them with the museum were given a walk around by someone at the "movie belle" They were informed several times that it was indeed the real "Memphis Belle" I have also seen it done several times when it was at BVI(where I spent most of my time with it).

retroaviation · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:14 am

Wow. That's almost as bad as telling everyone that the Memphis Belle was the first to complete 25 missions. :hide:

(Sorry Chris...I couldn't help myself)
Gary

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:14 am

lmritger wrote:

mustangdriver wrote:

I wish. The original paint on the belle is long gone. That happened during it's time in Memphis.

Jeezus, really?! What thick-skulled jackhole came up with THAT brilliant plan? If they're still alive, I'd love to slap the stupid out of them... and if not, maybe their grave needs a little "watering". :evil:

Of all the boneheaded, short-sighted, ignorant things to do- stripping the original paint and nose art off of THE iconic Air Corps bomber of WWII is pretty far up the list.

Sorry to hear that Chris.

Lynn

The Belle has had a rough life. IT is amazing she is here at all. Without the effort from Memphis she would not be here today. It is sad that the city of memphis just has no interest in her at all. I think that the plane should be in Dayton anyway as it is the same as I always say to having Babe Ruth in the Hall of Fame. The nose art was repainted a few times actually. it looks likes at least once during it's combat career, once or twice during the warbond tour and then several times after that.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:20 am

retroaviation wrote:

Wow. That's almost as bad as telling everyone that the Memphis Belle was the first to complete 25 missions. :hide:

(Sorry Chris...I couldn't help myself)
Gary

Which the museum does not do by the way. The museum gives the true story as close to what anyone knows. The records from that time period were very incomplete. HeII's Angels, Memphis Belle, and at least two other aircraft including a B-24 are all in the running for which was first. The records are very incomplete on most of the units at that time. It was thought for along time that the Belle was first. Then the HA. But there are no group records that match the log books and so on. So it boils down to that there were a few planes that were completing the 25th mission within a day or two, and the Belle was selected over HA because of the name.

retroaviation · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:28 am

Sorry. Was just feelin' fiesty with that earlier post. Glad to know the NMUSAF tells the whole story.

Gary

Hawkeye · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:30 am

I'm just glad the Belles finally getting some first class treatment. By the way Chris, would you happen to know the plans for the Swoose? Will the museum be preserving her original round art on the side of the fuselage or will the whole aircraft be stripped down?

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:34 pm

No worries Gary, I know you were just having fun. That is one of the reasons I hang here.

And Hawk, I am not sure, but I think the logo is going to need to be repainted. it is really far gone. Some of the pics here make it look better than it is. I can not say for sure as I have not heard one way or the other. I am just a regular member at the museum, nothing special, I just try and repeat what I hear from the meetings and briefings to hear as I think many are interested. Although someone once told me that there was a pole going on to find out if I was actually Gen. Metcalfe!!

Django · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:58 pm

mustangdriver wrote:

retroaviation wrote:

Get WIXer, Django, to do it!!!

Gary

That would be awesome if he would want to do it. I think he has done amazing work on the B-24.

Wow! I would be honored to even be considered by the Museum when they get to that point!

I think I need to go lie down now... :lol:

JDK · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:30 pm

Django wrote:

mustangdriver wrote:

retroaviation wrote:

Get WIXer, Django, to do it!!!

That would be awesome if he would want to do it. I think he has done amazing work on the B-24.

Wow! I would be honored to even be considered by the Museum when they get to that point!

Why not send them a sample and a write up of how you'd do it if invited?

Can't hurt, and why they'll probably say no (I'm sure they'll have in house people) it would be a good exercise for you for the next time, next project and the portfolio.

And then there's the outside chance that they already like your work...

retroaviation · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 2:46 pm

Who knows, maybe they even subscribe to Warbird Digest and have seen the article about you painting nose art before. (But you should probably just send them a magazine just in case)

Gary

Garth · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:20 pm

mustangdriver wrote:

That can't happen when the G model Belle is being presented as the real deal. I saw it being done with my own two eyes.

How long ago was this? The last time I saw the G model Belle (this past May at the Andrews AFB/DoD Open House) her name on both sides of the nose read "The Movie Memphis Belle" (albeit with with "The Movie" bit in much smaller typeface).

RMAllnutt · **Posted:** Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:42 pm

Garth wrote:

mustangdriver wrote:

That can't happen when the G model Belle is being presented as the real deal. I saw it being done with my own two eyes.

How long ago was this? The last time I saw the G model Belle (this past May at the Andrews AFB/DoD Open House) her name on both sides of the nose read "The Movie Memphis Belle" (albeit with with "The Movie" bit in much smaller typeface).

I honestly couldn't give a toss what some volunteer who, with the best intentions, unwittingly mis-represented the Tallichet B-17 as "the" Memphis Belle, not just painted to represent her. This sort of thing happens all the time with more than just the Belle, and really is nothing to get wound up about. The only real thing that matters is getting the word out, and getting the public involved in remembering the deeds of those valiant men and women who served, sacrificed or otherwise helped in the effort to defeat the Nazis and the Emperor of Japan. Everything else is just self-involved bloviating, and is a waste of breath. No one, other than we few, could care less about which aircraft was the real deal... all they are interested in is the story. Shouldn't we at least be happy that they turn up to listen/get involved?

Richard

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