B-17F Memphis Belle Moved to WWII Gallery 

Thank you to those who worked long hard hours to restore this iconic one of a kind piece of American history. Welcome home girl....we've missed you. Long Live the Belle!

These beautiful ladies brought her crews home time after time under the worst circumstances imaginable. Kudos to the aircraft and the almost unimaginably brave crews who operated them.

I am crying. This is too awesome for words. My uncle was a navigator on a B-17 He died doing his job. How beautiful do these two birds look? The Belle and the Baby. Awesome!!!

Turned into a very solemn moment watching these planes. Hope that the brave men who flew these, know that they are still held in our hearts and are not forgotten. Carry On....👍

As someone who used to wash the 'Belle in Memphis in the late 90s, and who has flown twice on the Nine-O-Nine, I'm very happy to see this old girl in good hands.

I said it before and I will say it again. The B-17 was the most beautiful aircraft that was ever built. I could look at aircraft all day!

Nothing like a wee bit of fresh paint to make the tens of thousands of man-hours that went into it all stand out. This aircraft stands as a prime example of why preserving history is so crucial. There before you stands a "new" B-17, so things are easier put into perspective. Imagine 700 of these not coming home from each sortie. Ten men per. Then, never forget, the Ball Turret Gunners. What impressive bravery. Hats off to all involved, across the generations.

The best day of my life was back in 2010 at "Thunder over Michigan" when they had eight B-17s and B-24 Witch Craft all in the air at one time circling the field. I haven't been to the Dayton Museum in 20 years. I think I have a new reason to visit again.

The Memphis Belle is so beautiful! I saw the 1990 movie when I was a little kid and I have been in love with plane ever since. She is a testament to all of the airmen who fought during World War II and to the B-17s that flew to defeat the enemy. You guys did an amazing job in getting the Memphis Belle to Dayton and restoring her to every little detail that tells a story about plane's life. I am planning on going to the unveiling event in May and this will be the first time to see the Belle since I first saw it under restoration. Thank you and God bless!

Warms My Heart To the Old gal Restored. Great Aircraft .

Gave me goosebumps and that wasn't because windchill was in the 30's that day. Well done video.

What can I say. I have loved this airplane since I was a little boy. I'm now on the cusp of 73 and I hope I live long enough to visit the museum and see her. Thank you for preserving this wonderful national treasure. Blue Sky's to all who brought her back to life. Bill

I got to see the Belle in July 2019. I have been a military aircraft buff since I was a kid. The SR 71 Blackbird was my bucket list aircraft and when I got to see one, I was awestruck. Seeing the Belle brought tears and a reverence I'd never felt before. Not even when I was able to up close to the Enola Gay, did I feel such a feeling, and I'll never forget it.

Being a Memphian, I'm so very happy The Belle has found a proper home. She looks beautiful. Thanks so much to those responsible for making her so pretty and keeping her memory alive. God bless the USA!

Amazing work and well done to you all. Brings a tear to the eye. keeping history alive at its finest. huge fan from the uk

I can't wait until Thursday to see her unveiled to the public. I am fortunate enough to live about an hour drive from this Museum. If you ever get the chance to visit, it is an amazing place and 100% free to visit. It will take you about 2 solid days to see the entire Museum. A true treasure to aviation history.

They are both gorgeous! I've loved B-17s since I was in my 20s and I'm 73 now and this video got the old tears flowing from my eyes.

That shot of her looking at Shoo Shoo Baby nose to nose with the old Army Air Corps roundel in the background sent a chill right up my spine. I live here in Southern California so unfortunately won’t make the big day, but hope to come during the summer. You folks did an outstanding job. I know I said this in a previous video’s comment section, but it really IS a damn shame Bob Morgan (or any of her other crew members) is no longer with us to see the ol’ girl on her big day. You folks did a hell of a great job. Congratulations to you all! Cheers

The B-17 is my all time favourite WW2 Plane...and one of the beautifulest Planes ever made in my opinion..I really like the story behind it and the Memphis Belle!

Sometimes, there simply are no words big enough, wise enough, thoughtful enough, or worthy enough to describe events like this! 10,000 Thanks to the National Museum of the United States Air Force, it's leadership, public affairs office, research division, sponsors, and especially to the dedicated restoration artists who made this day, and the upcoming ceremonies of the Memphis Belle's return to duty, possible. I salute you all!

Proud to be an American, I've studied the Belle since I was a youngster. Built several models of her.Thank you dad for sharing you love of history that set me on this path,and a big THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT RESTORATION. I'll see her later this year.God bless the young men who flew her when it counted.

Glad to finally see her finally restored to her former glory. I grew up with this plane in Memphis. She went from a pedestal exposed to the elements at the armory near the liberty bowl, moved to a field at the North end of Memphis Int'l, partially restored and moved to Mud Island under a canopy still exposed, covered in mayflies, disassembled and in pieces at Millignton Navy Base. It's too bad she's now in Ohio and I have to make the trip, but it is worth it that I know she will be safe, clean and beautiful from now on. I am grateful to the USAF and the USAF Museum for stepping up and doing what needed to be done, because the City of Memphis sure as hell was not.

I once had the privilege of going inside a B17 at a air show in (think it was about) 1990, here in the UK. I had always know that our brave RAF bomber crews had taken there lives in there hands each time they flow a mission to help destroy the Nazi war machine, but once I was inside the B17, then after I exited the plane and still to this day, I have just as much respect and admiration for the courage of the crews of the USAF who flow there missions in day light rides. The planes are just a aluminium skeleton, covered in a very thin aluminium skin. You could probably shoot through it with a air rifle and the crews (either RAF or USAF) were being shot at with 7.92mm bullets, 20mm & 30mm canons, not forgetting the shrapnel from the AA guns. I served my Queen & country as a infantryman in the 1980's (I never saw any action, thank God), but at least if we had ever came under fire, we could hit the deck or would have been a fox hole to return fire from. But being in a aluminium target/can, no where to hide, no where to run to, just fireing back and hope you don't get parts of you blow apart or all of you into pieces, day after day, month after month and in the RAF case, year after year! As the US crews had a set amount of missions, then IF they lived were sent home. The words brave and courage seems to fall some what short when considering there war time service. All I can say from one that grow up in a free country because of what they did and the ones who gave there all is.... Thank you. And thank you to the people who keep these planes in such wonder full condition, so other generations can see them and can be told what they did and why, when flown be there heroic crews in WWII, both RAF & the USAF. Less we forget.........

I live in Huntington WV (about 3 hours away) and I have visited this museum multiple times, and I have never been so excited to revisit in May. Makes me want to cry. Great job!!!

Excellent restoration job of the Memphis Belle and video of her too! Thank you for posting your video!

Magnificent, simply magnificent! Can't help but notice, though, that the "Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby" is missing all of its guns, while the Belle has all of hers. I first saw the "Memphis Belle" in the early '80s when it was being kept outside in the elements at the Memphis Airport. My folks lived in Memphis at the time, and there was a restaurant next to the airport called the 91st Bomb Group. The Belle was parked right next to the restaurant, although in a fenced-off area (which didn't keep people from getting inside and stripping it). She was in sad shape - dirty, rusty, faded paint, covered in pigeon poop - the city of Memphis should have been ashamed at how they let this icon of American military history deteriorate. I was very glad to hear that the Air Force had taken the aircraft back from the city of Memphis and was going to restore it, and I'm thrilled at the job they did!

I visited the AF museum yesterday (May 17). I am very impressed with the restoration of the Memphis Belle and the display in the museum. Outstanding work and kudos to all involved. This is, by far the best display in the museum. The display really stands out because the aircraft is elevated on supports and in a flying configuration with the gear retracted. The bomb bay is open and lit for viewing. You can also get a great view of the ball turret.

An amazing restoration. You have preserved a part of our history for all to see. Congratulations!

Awesome work. Can’t wait to go see her in person. A great tribute to those who flew her and others and who fought and died for our country

Let us not forget that prior to 1944, each crew had to complete 25 combat missions to be eligible to return home. Statistics at the time showed that each crew had a average of a 1 in 4 chance of making it or about 12 to 14 missions. The Memphis Belle was the first B-17 in the 8th Air Force to successfully complete a tour of 25 combat missions. God bless the airmen who bought our freedom and paid for it in blood. It is a fitting tribute to these brave men that the Belle has been rescued from decay and restored to pristine condition. Thanks to the restorers and the USAF Museum for preserving our aviation heritage.

Seeing this brings me to tears and the effort that was made to bring this old but historic girl back again in her place in history and these men and others made the ultimate sacrifice to see what 20 years of painstaking work was all about and now we see the results today and she is home in DAYTON OH to be kept there for the rest of her days and nights in our own USA and you men did the best possible to work on her and get those very hard to find parts and get her back to the condition she is in today.God bless all of you that did the work and the long hours spent to bring back a very important part of our nations history and now she is in her resting place in DAYTON OH and home at last for good.

Good to see her restored instead of being left out in elements prior (never seen it but knew she was in poor condition). I remember having conversation with co-worker the other day about planes and mentioned that 25 missions and a wake up, before heading home. He asked why only 25? I then told him about flak that could blow apart their planes and friends alike, enemy fighters shooting big ass bullets, freezing temperatures, survival rate, etc, think he walked away with little bit more understanding after that talk.

So this is what they mean by "National Treasure"

It is just so sad to see these gorgeous warbirds stationary. It is an immense effort to get them flying, but let's hope... I've witnessed the flight of "Sally B" many times in Duxford, UK, and - I tell you - it is always a sight to bring tears into your eyes (not to mention the sound!).

Sad to say most of the original USAAF have gone to a higher place and those remaining are in their 90's. I'm sure it must be heartening to them to know they will never be forgotten.

I remember opening hangar doors manually as they did in the beginning of this video. In my case, it was a WWII era hangar at NAS Brunswick, ME!

I had actually seen this plane in real life and the plane is very nicely restored

Back when SSB was in Dover,De. for its first restoration, I donated a b17 radio I picked up at a garage sale in the early 70's. I hope it's still in her!

This plane and her crew make me proud to be from Memphis 🙏🇺🇸

The Memphis Belle and her crew were astounding.

Beautiful! Well done!

Saw the Belle years ago when it was at Mud Island in Memphis, she was in rough shape. Glad doing better now.

In July my childhood dream comes true when I fly in from Australia to see the aircraft I have loved for over 50 years. I'll be seeing the Belle then going for a ride in Aluminium Overcast. As a very young kid I loved watching 12 O'Clock High (movie and series), now I'll see these beautiful aircraft for real.

Congratulations to all on such superb workmanship. It's inspiring to see the Memphis Belle moving into her new home, looking beautiful. But bittersweet to see the Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby pushed out. I'm sure she'll have a great new life at the Smithsonian.

So excited! I feel like I grew up with this plane. I saw the movie in grade school, and begged my family to take to the Mud Island museum in Memphis (they relented!). Having her so close to home now and fully restored has me flipping out!

Its awesome to see good o'l Belle still kicking. Its unfortunate that another famous B-17 Nine O Nine was scrapped even though she broke many AAF records by completing 126-132 missions without aborting for mechanical problems. As disappointing as this may be, its good to see that her name still lives on in her replica, and seeing the Belle right before my eyes on my computer screen almost brings a tear to my eye. as soon as an exhibit for her is complete, I will head straight there you can promise that!

Impressive restoration! Also nose to nose meet-up for the two -17S! We did the same thing 5 years ago when NASA dropped off Discovery and we put it nose to nose with Enterprise. Can't wait to see OUR (I'm a docent at the Smithsonian Nat'l Air and Space Museum) airplane at Udvar-Hazy (Shoo-Shoo Baby).

An interesting fact about these two aircraft is that they both spent their entire combat careers in the same group, the 91st Bomb Group at Bassingnbourne, England but never flew a mission together.

She looks stunning hope to visit her someday great job guys!

What a fantastic exhibit.

The B-17 is one of if not the most beautiful aircraft ever designed. The Memphis Belle is one fine lady, glad to see her restored. This is on my bucket list to go see her and the rest of the aircraft at the NMUSAF. Long drive from Florida though.

Great to see these fine aircraft together and a fitting tribute to all US airmen who fought during World war two. This is a very fine museum and a must visit if you are in the area.

A great piece of History from the USAAC Honoring all who have died but The Memphis Belle prove the impossible, bringing home all the boys in one piece . WHAT A FIGURE I SAY WHAT A FIGURE.

My uncle completed his 25 missions as the navigator on B-17s. He saved one arming fuse pin from a bomb on each mission he flew, and made a souvenir display board for them. His grandson has it.

looking forward to seeing this plane on display finally. Is been a long anticipating wait to see such piece of history.. WOW 25 combat complete missions..

Awesome! I bet the men flying these wonderful machines never thought they were the bravest of the brave. Many people are unaware Army Air Corps crews had the highest casualty rate of WW II in Europe. Statistically, you were safer to be a 'grunt' than a member of a bomber crew. Every time one was shot down ten men were lost. My father was Army Air Corps in the Pacific. Semper Fidelis!

Just stunning,beautiful lines for a beautiful aircraft..thank you for uploading...Scotland

Welcome back!!!

Great work !!!

What a fantastic job done very impressed

When I was about 10 years old, I saw the Bell on a pedestal in front of the Guard Armory (Memphis (Tn)..............Great to see the ole' girl still around......

These are by far the toughest birds ever used, they were shot to pieces and still fly.

Beautiful piece of engineering and military aviation

I will be visiting very soon!!

Beautiful restored ! Well done US Air Force Museum staff and volunteers 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

I would like to give eternal thanks to all those men and women who served and gave their lives in Europe during the Second World War .... Without doubt, without their collaboration Europe would never have been liberated from the Nazi horror, Thank you very much to the work in the factories in the United States for the construction of these flying superfortresses, Thanks to the crew of the Memphis Belle were true heroes to complete the 25 missions in German territory, Thank you very much to all the allies .... !!!

I plan to be there!

Good job folks!! Both sat forgotten and very Neglected for many years in Memphis And Europe👍

Thank you

B17- Queen of the skies. I had the honour of meeting Col. Morgan back in the 1990s . I got his autograph!

Ok who is cutting raw onions around me. This is just soooooooo beautiful.

My only complaint. Other than that I wasn't there. Belle's nose art was covered. What an image that would've made. Shoo Shoo Shoo Baby and the Belle nose to nose!

Several years ago when my Dad was a volunteer at the museum they had an employee appreciation evening at the museum & they opened up the planes. I climbed into the B-17 Shoo Shoo baby & got a tour. Then when I got out I noticed the tail gunners hatch was open so what the heck I climbed into the tail gunners seat & grasped those twin .50 Calibers & moved them around & looked out the window. That was a neat night! Oh & I got to sit in an ME262 that night also!

No matter what their faults were, these were still beautiful birds of which properly did their jobs when called upon and of which always brought their crews back home again if and when they stood a chance of doing so by not being shot down by either enemy Flak or by enemy fighter aircraft. Also praise and much deserved credit to the uncredited and unpraised workers back home in America of which both designed and built these wonderful planes to endure such war hazards and yet still remained flyable.

I love those bomber crews. They did so much for this country. And the world.

Can't wait for the big day!

Fantastic aircraft a legacy to the future generations...something very special of WWII, Great .

Wow!!! Woodland camouflage!!! Reminds me of the B-52’s and F-4 Phantoms (USAF Phantoms) that fought in the Vietnam War that were painted in woodland camouflage!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Its as if the plane was walking on its own along a pathway. Full of charm and grace and very regal

She is majestic !!!

Thank you>

We are having our 610 MASS Yokota AB reunion in Dayton this summer so I’ll be there to see the bell and the Hanoi Taxi too. It was a Norton AFB bird and I most likely worked on her there or at Yokota.

She has seen many alike. Her mission was to protect her crew and the Belle has done it. Now here she is, her final resting place...

REMEMBER HISTORY IF YOU DONT YOUR DOOMED TO REPEAT IT

i have been to bassinbourn where it flew it 25 missions the control tower as been shut for two years but now it re-opening in may this year i hope to go back

What a beautiful piece of engineering

Fantastic. I'd love to fly in one

She looks like a brand new B-17. Now I can see all the mistakes I made on my model of her.

I forget to add one more thing in my last comment rest in peace brave airmen who flew and died in the air war between 1939 to 1945 for the freedoms we enjoy today. Words cannot say enough to honor the sacrifices these men made during WW 2

Beautiful! I own a piece of her from the the movie!

投稿有難う！！！僕が一番好きなヒコーキは、B-17の中で、その中でもメンフィスベルが一番好きな機体です。なれそめは、半世紀前に買って作ったレベルのプラモデルでした。

I visited the “ Shoo Shoo Baby “ before and am sad to see it go.

I first saw the Belle at the outdoor Memphis National Guard armory display when I was returning home from Army active duty in March, 1971. Suffice to say, it was in a sad state. Speaking to a passerby, he said that it was a hulk inside because of vandalism and theft of instruments, fittings, etc. over those past 25 yrs it stood there.It was a sad site. The NMUSAF finally took possession of the Belle in 2005 and moved it back to Wright-Pat for a painstaking and detailed restoration over these last thirteen years. Still to come is the interior restoration, but it will soon be a fine and fitting display of this true combat veteran of the earlier days of WW II's bombing campaign over Europe.

One day I would love to see the Memphis belle in person

Oh My God. Just look at her!!! How amazing does she look? After all this time, She is adorable, Words don't do her justice.

When I lived in Winter Haven Florida, I got to see a B17 fly on a regular basis. It had been converted to a mosquito sprayer.

Lookin Good. 77 years old

Ain't She GORGEOUS. It's such a shame that so few like her, especially with actual combat hours, are left and even fewer are certified to fly. It's also a shame that the first bomber to actually complete 25 missions , a B-24 called Hot Stuff, was lost under what I call Ridiculous circumstances when it crashed on it's way home while hauling a bunch of VIP's instead of half of her deserving crewmen ! BTW, one of those passengers was the first choice for the Supreme Commander job General Eisenhower got slapped with. Bet ya'll didn't know that.

I need to add a comment to this film and please excuse my language , what a f***ing incredible amazing job you guys have done on this Lady ,it did bring a tear to my eye ,This is a amazing lasting memorial to all the brave men and boys who flew these machines to defeat the tyranny of what was the Nazi threat ,

I don't know if she even has flight capability, yet she needs to be where she is. She's home. Amen.