Memphis Belle last mission

[JMM]

May 17th 1943 is taken as Memphis Belle's last mission over Europe, so just thought it would be nice to remember Robert Morgan and his men (and also Margaret Polke, and Stuka, why not?)

Actually Hell's Angels B-17 completed 25 combat missions before the Belle (May 13th 1943), becoming the first B-17 to complete the feat, however Morgan's plane (maybe because of his nickname and the documentary made), entered history.

After almost beeing destroyed, the plane was "saved" and went on static display in Memphis, Tenn., until October 2005. At that time, it was transported to the National Museum of the US Air Force where a huge restauration was made (I think it'll be finished this year).

[Woolgar]

Thanks JMM I didn't know about the Hells Angels fact

Nick

[FALLSCHIRMJAGER]

Interesting JMM, thanks for that reminder. I know it was not the same aircraft but when they were making the film I used to see the B-17 "acting" as the Memphis belle flying over our Norfolk skies here in the UK ,it was sometimes accompanied by a couple of P-39(P-51, sorry) Mustangs and a camera crew aircraft. Leon.

[SteveR]

Good thread.

[ireichit]

I believe the sally b was the plane used in the film and is on display at the imperial museum Duxford I have this many times.

[zwerge]

Interesting JMM, thanks for that reminder. I know it was not the same aircraft but when they were making the film I used to see the B-17 "acting" as the Memphis belle flying over our Norfolk skies here in the UK ,it was sometimes accompanied by a couple of P-39 Mustangs and a camera crew aircraft. Leon.

I don`t think I have ever seen a P-39 Mustang..?

[AZPhil]

Way to go JMM.

Semper Fi
Phil

[Steelhead10]

Interesting JMM, thanks for that reminder. I know it was not the same aircraft but when they were making the film I used to see the B-17 "acting" as the Memphis belle flying over our Norfolk skies here in the UK ,it was sometimes accompanied by a couple of P-39 Mustangs and a camera crew aircraft. Leon.

P-39 airacobra
P-51 Mustang

[big ned]

Let us not forget it is also the 71st anniversary of the finest piece of aerial bombing history of WW2, if not of all time, Operation Chastise, the Dams Raid by 617 Squadron RAF on the night of the 16th/17th of May 1943.

Here's a famous press photo taken after the raid of Guy Gibson's crew boarding the aircraft ED932 'AJ-G'.



L to r, Flight Lieutenant R.D. Trevor-Roper, Sergeant J.Pulford, Flight Sergeant G.A.Deering (Canadian), Pilot Officer F.M.Spafford (Australian), Flight Lieutenant R.E.G.Hutchison, Wing Commander Guy Gibson and Pilot Officer H.T.Taerum (Canadian)


Sadly, non of these men survived the war. Per Ardua Ad Astra.

Regards, Ned.

[harryamb2]

remember them all.