sorry it was the hells angles & they did promote the war bonds they where even on the cover of life magazine & my uncle was in the hells angles. that is so wrong saying the belle was the first
In 1944 after the Dambusters raid, its leader Guy Gibson went on a lecture tour of the US. In one he was asked how many missions he had completed over Germany. US airmen had to complete 25 missions! The audiance was stunned into a shocked silence when Gibson replied that he had completed 174 missions!!!
My father completed 50 missions and I think quite a few U.S. Bomber Pilots actually completed over 100 although they didn't have to (usually the promoted squadron commanders).Guy Gibson was definitely a hero and our family has a friend whose father was a RCAF Lanc Pilot.
By the way this is a superb documentary very informative.
The first plane to successfully complete 25 missions probably wasn't the Belle. In fact, it was a B-17 named the Delta Rebel II piloted by Lt. Birdsong who was born and raised near Memphis in the Mississippi delta area. His crewchief was from nearby Clarksdale, MS. Army PA wouldn't use a confederate sounding name so the Belle was choosen.
An interesting, but non proven statement. Refer to the official website of the 323rd Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group for more on this. There is no positive proof Delta Rebel II was before MB.
Very weird claim. What in the world makes "Memphis Belle" any less a Southern (confederate) sounding name than "Delta Rebel?" Last time I checked Tennessee was WAY south of the Mason Dixon Line...
@VFA103JollyRogers - Remember, it's not the aircraft that completes 25 missions, it's the crew. Aircraft "909" (also with the 91st) completed 140 missions without a return for mechanical failure. Members of other crews had completed 25 missions. The crew of the Memphis Belle was the first intact crew to complete 25 missions together. By the time my father was flying with the 8th AF, the number had been increased to 35 missions. My father completed 30 and then the war ended.
The City of Memphis under Mayor Walter Chandler saved the plane from being scrapped at the Altus, Oklahoma boneyard after the WWII was over. The USAAF showed no interest in doing so and allowed Memphis to buy the title to the plane. Ironically, Chandler's son Wyeth became mayor in the 1970's and sold the plane back to the USAF, otherwise the latter would have had no claim whatsoever to the historic warbird. This video and Capt. Robert Morgan's book brings all of most of this out.
It's truly unfortunate that Memphis wasn't able to hold onto this American Icon. However, the city wasn't maintaining, and preventing vandelism of the historic plane, so the Airforce Museum rightfully reclaimed it. At least the museum is doing a full restoration of the plane so it will still be seen by future generations. Personally, I think the Memphis Belle should be seen alongside the B-29 Bomber, Enola Gay in the Smithsonian Institution
But DC would be better than Memphis again, or else the USAF will have to take it back again in another 60 years. Memphis dropped the ball on this one.
This is one of the most heroic feats in aviation history to fill the 25 missions 1st, and it ends like this? I take nothing away from the men who made it back, or went to their death just to allow me the option just to vent my displeasure here.
But the city of Memphis should be f--kin ashamed of themselves along with others who never stepped in to salvage a real testament to freedom, bravery, tenacity and above all honor.
Sorry to break it you the guy but there are 13 b 17 flying fortresses world wide we have two here in the u:k both in the same museum one operational. This can all be seen on the documentary the last flying fortress ( i think thats what it was called) on the discovery channel. it might be under a different name. Nonetheless an amaizing story and amzing plane and it deserves the right to be restored for our generation to look up to
13 yes. some of those are replicas ie not made during world war two and some are planes built during world war two but did not have a combat record. There are 3 with a COMBAT record.
@lttm1 Yeah lol. To a still god fearing nation at the time, Hell's Angels would have been MASSIVELY blasphemous! Better to have a home-grown, all american gal do the job! God bless propoganda!
I've heard on History Channel there was in fact another that was first but for some reason was not given credit. I think it had something to do with a racy name but could have that part wrong. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
ya thay was my grandpa flow a b-17 and got all 25 missones completed and fished out the war in a p-51 mustang. he srvied the war to later die in a trucking acident
sorry it was the hells angles & they did promote the war bonds they where even on the cover of life magazine & my uncle was in the hells angles. that is so wrong saying the belle was the first
lightinhop 1 month ago
This is a great documentary.
johnpickle 1 year ago
In 1944 after the Dambusters raid, its leader Guy Gibson went on a lecture tour of the US. In one he was asked how many missions he had completed over Germany. US airmen had to complete 25 missions! The audiance was stunned into a shocked silence when Gibson replied that he had completed 174 missions!!!
ManOnTheMoon2 1 year ago
@ManOnTheMoon2
My father completed 50 missions and I think quite a few U.S. Bomber Pilots actually completed over 100 although they didn't have to (usually the promoted squadron commanders).Guy Gibson was definitely a hero and our family has a friend whose father was a RCAF Lanc Pilot.
By the way this is a superb documentary very informative.
m9078jk3 1 year ago
didnt the movie kinda glory there last mission?
gizmoshadow1978 2 years ago
The first plane to successfully complete 25 missions probably wasn't the Belle. In fact, it was a B-17 named the Delta Rebel II piloted by Lt. Birdsong who was born and raised near Memphis in the Mississippi delta area. His crewchief was from nearby Clarksdale, MS. Army PA wouldn't use a confederate sounding name so the Belle was choosen.
BCboy65 2 years ago
An interesting, but non proven statement. Refer to the official website of the 323rd Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group for more on this. There is no positive proof Delta Rebel II was before MB.
DeltaBlue31 2 years ago
Very weird claim. What in the world makes "Memphis Belle" any less a Southern (confederate) sounding name than "Delta Rebel?" Last time I checked Tennessee was WAY south of the Mason Dixon Line...
iowa61 2 years ago
@BCboy65 I thought the Hells Angels was the first True B-17 to finish the 25 missions
VFA103JollyRogers 2 years ago 3
@VFA103JollyRogers
nope the belle did
shinusuke13 1 year ago
@shinusuke13 you are so wrong about the belle it was the hells angles
my uncle was in the hells angles and the hells angles finished it way before the belle did
lightinhop 1 month ago
@VFA103JollyRogers It was the first.
WizardOfChicamunga 9 months ago
@VFA103JollyRogers - Remember, it's not the aircraft that completes 25 missions, it's the crew. Aircraft "909" (also with the 91st) completed 140 missions without a return for mechanical failure. Members of other crews had completed 25 missions. The crew of the Memphis Belle was the first intact crew to complete 25 missions together. By the time my father was flying with the 8th AF, the number had been increased to 35 missions. My father completed 30 and then the war ended.
B17Boy 1 week ago
The City of Memphis under Mayor Walter Chandler saved the plane from being scrapped at the Altus, Oklahoma boneyard after the WWII was over. The USAAF showed no interest in doing so and allowed Memphis to buy the title to the plane. Ironically, Chandler's son Wyeth became mayor in the 1970's and sold the plane back to the USAF, otherwise the latter would have had no claim whatsoever to the historic warbird. This video and Capt. Robert Morgan's book brings all of most of this out.
TennesseeShine 2 years ago
It's truly unfortunate that Memphis wasn't able to hold onto this American Icon. However, the city wasn't maintaining, and preventing vandelism of the historic plane, so the Airforce Museum rightfully reclaimed it. At least the museum is doing a full restoration of the plane so it will still be seen by future generations. Personally, I think the Memphis Belle should be seen alongside the B-29 Bomber, Enola Gay in the Smithsonian Institution
cunard61 2 years ago 2
Gotta agree that the Belle should be in the Smithsonian in rather than in Dayton, Ohio!
TennesseeShine 2 years ago
Ever been to the airforce museum in Dayton? Then shut the fuck up
farmer6987 2 years ago
Comment removed
appletell 2 years ago
@farmer6987
Since its being restored in Dayton it
should stay there. DC has enough stuff.
But DC would be better than Memphis again, or else the USAF will have to take it back again in another 60 years. Memphis dropped the ball on this one.
justonemori 1 year ago
To the men of the MIGHTY 8th-
THANK YOU FOR MY FREEDOM.
I WILL NEVER FORGET YOU GUYS.
I HAVE LOOKED UP TO YOU ALL MY LIFE.
rickbar123 2 years ago 2
This is one of the most heroic feats in aviation history to fill the 25 missions 1st, and it ends like this? I take nothing away from the men who made it back, or went to their death just to allow me the option just to vent my displeasure here.
But the city of Memphis should be f--kin ashamed of themselves along with others who never stepped in to salvage a real testament to freedom, bravery, tenacity and above all honor.
This dissevered much better closure!
Speeddemon3 2 years ago 3
I love the Memphis Belle
jaingxu 2 years ago 3
Sorry to break it you the guy but there are 13 b 17 flying fortresses world wide we have two here in the u:k both in the same museum one operational. This can all be seen on the documentary the last flying fortress ( i think thats what it was called) on the discovery channel. it might be under a different name. Nonetheless an amaizing story and amzing plane and it deserves the right to be restored for our generation to look up to
longydagun 3 years ago
13 yes. some of those are replicas ie not made during world war two and some are planes built during world war two but did not have a combat record. There are 3 with a COMBAT record.
Alieaz 2 years ago
It was called, "Hells Angels". You can see why they didn't want to have "Hells Angels" touring the US promoting war bonds....
lttm1 3 years ago
@lttm1 Yeah lol. To a still god fearing nation at the time, Hell's Angels would have been MASSIVELY blasphemous! Better to have a home-grown, all american gal do the job! God bless propoganda!
MrMoorkey 11 months ago
I've heard on History Channel there was in fact another that was first but for some reason was not given credit. I think it had something to do with a racy name but could have that part wrong. Anyone know what I'm talking about?
freiherrudet 3 years ago
Watch the above documentary and it talks about what you are talking about....
lttm1 3 years ago
Yes there was but the planes name wasnt to good for promoting war bonds at the time. I cant remember the name tho.
scottyboy39 3 years ago
Beautiful plane
Great people
Johng1962 4 years ago 3
ya thay was my grandpa flow a b-17 and got all 25 missones completed and fished out the war in a p-51 mustang. he srvied the war to later die in a trucking acident
horsestud50277 3 years ago 4