The Memphis Belle - The Final Chapter in Memphis (Part 1of2)

(Part 1 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

[lttm1]

It was called, "Hells Angels". You can see why they didn't want to have "Hells Angels" touring the US promoting war bonds....

[freiherrudet]

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?

[lttm1]

Watch the above documentary and it talks about what you are talking about....

[horsestud50277]

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

[VFA103JollyRogers]

@BCboy65 I thought the Hells Angels was the first True B-17 to finish the 25 missions

[B17Boy]

@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.

[lightinhop]

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]

@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

[WizardOfChicamunga]

@VFA103JollyRogers It was the first.

[MrMoorkey]

@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!

[shinusuke13]

@VFA103JollyRogers

nope the belle did

[m9078jk3]

@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.

[johnpickle]

This is a great documentary.

[ManOnTheMoon2]

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!!!

[justonemori]

@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.