Memphis Belle

[JMM]

73 years ago today was the official last mission of the B-17 “Memphis Belle” so I remembered to do this small display and share it with you (the pics in the background are reproductions). Coincidently I started working on this kit the same year the original plane went to the National Museum of the US Air Force for an 8 to 10-year restoration. Currently the plane is still under heavy restoration

The missions:

1942
1. Nov. 7 Brest, France
2. Nov. 9 St. Nazaire, France
3. Nov. 17 St. Nazaire, France
4. Dec. 6 Lille, France
5. Dec. 20 Rommily-Sur-Seine

1943
6. Jan 3 St. Nazaire, France
7. Jan. 13 Lille, France
8. Jan. 23 Lorient, France
9. Feb. 4 Emden, Germany
10. Feb. 14 Hamm, Germany
11. Feb. 16 St. Nazaire, France
12. Feb. 26 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
13. Feb. 27 Brest, France
14. Mar. 6 Lorient, France
15. Mar. 12 Rouen, France
16. Mar. 13 Abbeville, France
17. Mar. 22 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
18. Mar. 28 Rouen, France
19. Apr. 5 Antwerp, Belgium
20. Apr. 16 Lorient, France
21. Apr. 17 Bremen, Germany
22. May 1 St. Nazaire, France
23. May 4 Antwerp, Belgium
24. May 15 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
25. May 17 Lorient, France

The crew:
Capt. Robert K. Morgan - Pilot
Capt. James Verinis - Copilot
Capt. Vincent B. Evans - Bombardier
Capt. Charles B. Leighton - Navigator
T/Sgt. Harold P. Loch - Engineer/Top Gunner
T/Sgt. Robert Hanson - Radio Operator
S/Sgt. John P. Quinlan - Tail Gunner
S/Sgt. Cecil H. Scott - Ball Turret Gunner
S/Sgt. Clarence E. Winchell - L Waist Gunner
S/Sgt. Casimer "Tony" Nastal - R Waist Gunner

Joe Giambrone - Crew Chief (who replaced 9 engines, both wings, two tails, and both main landing gear)

Ms. Margaret Polk - The Memphis Belle (Died 1990)

Scotty Dog "Stuka" – Mascot

As a side story, the Lorient mission was actually the 24th with the same crew. On May 19th, the Memphis Belle flew its 25th combat mission on a strike against Kiel, Germany (but not with the same crew). The crew that flew the Belle seemed to have particularly good luck once none died or was significantly injured during the missions.

Curiosity:
Squadron’s B-24 Liberator Hot Stuff and her crew completed 25 missions on February 7th, 1943 (Naples, Italy). They would fly five missions more

B-17F Flying Fortress Hell’s Angels, completed its 25th mission on May 13th, 1943. It became the first 8th Air Force B-17 to complete 25 combat missions. After this tour, the crew signed on for a second making a total of 48 missions.
Maybe what captures the spirit of “The Memphis Belle” or what made her more famous was her name (Capt. Morgan’s wartime sweetheart Margaret Polke from Memphis, Tennessee) or the dog “Stuka” that flew all the missions and even had its name written on the plane, or the luck these men had flying 25 missions together and always coming back (with the plane) with no serious injuries, or just the documentary William Wyler made
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LZP5R109yo )

No matter the reason I think this is a great episode of the war

Cpt Morgan did like so much the plane that when he got married after the war he did it in front of the Belle

[Woolgar]

A nice dedication

Nick

[colt45]

I met Robert at McGuire air base, we shook hands and saluted, he talked about his sheep dog

[SteveR]

Nice.

[harryamb2]

only about 4 real tough targets in that list.glad they made it back home.

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

A great display, just don't let the dog knock it off the shelf! Leon.

[JMM]

I met Robert at McGuire air base, we shook hands and saluted, he talked about his sheep dog

A moment I'm sure you'll never forget. Sadly I never met him nor even got the chance to have his book signed

[Gunny Hartmann]

A nice display, well done!..

[colt45]

If there ever was a war hero, I was talking to Robert Morgan , he signed my book

[Danmark]

only about 4 real tough targets in that list.glad they made it back home.

You're one tough hombre Harry.

I would have soiled myself on each and every one!!!!!