The Memphis Belle - The Final Chapter in Memphis (Part 2of2)

(Part 2 of 2) For almost 60 years the B-17 bomber, the Memphis Belle, called Memphis, Tennessee home. In Oct. 2005, The U.S. Air Force removed one of the most famous aircraft in the world from the possession of the City of Memphis because of the lack of public support. This is the story of 60 years of neglect, apathy and disinterest by the City of Memphis to one of it's most important icons. A documentary film that focuses on the history of the Belle in Memphis and emphasizes the final days and the volunteers who tried to keep another Memphis icon from disappearing.
Nominated for best documentary at the 2008 BBIFF - WINNER 2nd Place.
Directed and Produced by Ken Axmaker, Jr.
for more info: www.LastTraintoMemphis.com
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1247243/

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Memphis
• Belle
• Axmaker
• B-17
• bomber
• flying
• fortress
• world
• war
• aircraft
• army
• airforce

[ArchieLindsay]

Google Map for Bassingbourn in Cambridgeshire to see the airfield which was home for the Memphis Belle. The runways are mostly lifted but the peri track is still there.

The Belle is a national memorial to thousands of young men who gave their lives for our freedom, so she deserves proper care in a national museum. But I'm so sorry for those Memphis people who worked so hard to keep her.

Great video, many thanks.

[AussieBloke]

i cant believe the USAF took it away from the city it was named aftr, it would be like relocating the washington monument to los angeles!

[jsedling]

The Belle should be in the 8th Air force museum, NOT Dayton!

[modernwarfareon360]

i googled the memphis belle today, for the first time in years, i was appalled to find out it had been vandalised, stripped by souvenir hunters etc etc.

No way, should any of this have happened.

as far as i know there are only a few b-17's still flying.

this one is the most famous in the world.

this particular plane MUST be saved for future generations, and once restored put on display in a proper museum where the public can still view it, but not destroy it !

[darkhound891]

@AussieBloke true but still its a national treasure and the museum in dayton wouldn't keep the pulic from seeing the belle

[AussieBloke]

@darkhound891 whats the point of having it in great condition if the public cant view it?

[darkhound891]

@AussieBloke would you rather have the belle rotting away in memphis or being in dayton and be kept in great condition?????????

[Chris0522]

@Chris0522 oh and for you people wondering why i said Willow Run Airport......Thats where the Memphis Belle was produced. Thats where 95% of the B-17s were built

[Chris0522]

You wanna know who has a great restoration project team?? and a great place to have it on display?? Willow Run Airport (Yankee Air Force Museum) in Michigan. Its a museum BUT, you can tour the aircraft under supervision. I use to go there all the time....even rode in the Yankee Lady...beautiful plane.

[groovy67]

I say melt it down so I can get some cheap pots and pans for my kitchen.Seriously,I hope that the Airforce will restore it to the condition it was in when received by Memphis.Leave all the patch holes in it and don't screw it up by making it look new.If thats the case just get the Nine-O-Nine and paint it to look like the Belle.It always seems that our government has to screw up everything they get their hands on.We might as well piss on every vet's grave to show how much we really care.USAF FU!

[justonemori]

Wright Patterson has some of the best Aircraft restoration facilities and technicians in the world. They'll get it back in the air. If it went back to Memphis the same shit would happen again. Its best left in the hands of a place that knows what to do with it, not let it rot. Memphis to Dayton is not a terrible drive either, one could make a 2 day trip to see it along with many other great aircraft. I saw it a few months ago, the restoration is going nicely.

[pennsy671]

(which would have been a crime) and the good folks in Memphis stepped up to save her from final destruction (something the Luftwaffe couldn't do) I feel the Air force should have built a new museum for her in Memphis. Personally I would not cross the street to see Graceland, but I'd walk all the way to Memphis to honor the men who flew and died in theatres of operation in WWII. God Bless You All...