The Memphis Belle is a Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress used during the Second World War that inspired the making of two motion pictures: a 1944 documentary film, Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress and the 1990 Hollywood feature film, Memphis Belle. It was one of the first United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) B-17 heavy bombers to complete 25 combat missions, after which the aircrew returned with the bomber to the United States to sell war bonds.
Memphis Belle (aircraft)
The crew back from their 25th operational mission. All were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal.
Crew of the Memphis Belle, left to right: Tech Sgt Loch, S Sgt Scott, Tech Sgt Hanson, Capt Verinis, Capt. Morgan ; Capt. Leighton, Staff Sgt. Quinlan., Staff Sgt. Nastal; Capt. Vincent Evans and Staff Sgt. Winchell.
The Memphis Belle on a War Bond campaign at Patterson Field during World War II.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engined heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). A fast and high-flying bomber of its era, the B-17 was used primarily in the European Theater of Operations and dropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II. It is the third-most produced bomber of all time, behind the American four-engined Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the German multirole, twin-engined Junkers Ju 88. It was also employed as a transport, antisubmarine aircraft, drone controller, and search-and-rescue aircraft.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Model 299 NX13372
Crashed Model 299
Boeing Y1B-17 in flight