News items....

Royzee617 · 10-07-2005, 06:44 AM

Spotted this on the wires....
'Memphis Belle' to Dayton

Meg Godlewski

10/6/2005

After 59 years in her namesake city, the B-17 "Memphis Belle" is on the move.

The Memphis Belle Memorial Association is giving the airplane to the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.

The first B-17 to complete 25 missions during World War II, the "Memphis Belle" was named after a girlfriend of pilot Robert Morgan.

Technically, the airplane has always belonged to the Air Force, although its location in Memphis was a point of pride and honor since it flew into town in 1946 after having been rescued from a boneyard, according to Andy Pouncey, president of the association. The aircraft spent four years in restoration.

"First it was out in the open and then later it was moved to Mud Island, under the shelter," Pouncey said. "It was a Memphis landmark."

The elements took their toll on the grand dame of the air, and a drive was started to get her into a climate-controlled museum. A study done at the request of the Air Force determined, despite best efforts, the money to build a museum could not be raised in an expedient manner.

The move is in the best interest of the airplane, Pouncey noted.

Once the airplane is at the Air Force museum, it will be restored, a task expected to take several years, according to Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Charles D. Metcalf, the museum's director. He that the "Memphis Belle" will be the centerpiece of the museum's World War II collection.

http://www.WPAFB.af.mil/museum
http://www.MemphisBelle.com

evangilder · 10-07-2005, 09:38 AM

I think that is a good idea. I know the folks in Memphis might disagree, but the AF museum has quite a collection of historic aircraft, and the Belle will make a nice addition. They take good care of the aircraft at the AF Museum.

trackend · 10-07-2005, 11:51 AM

I had a look on the MB site the old girl certainly needs a few parts.

hellmaker · 10-10-2005, 08:47 PM

Even though people may not agree with the relocation of their pride, it is in my oppinion the best thing that could have happened to the old lady... It's a must to preserve those ww2 masterpieces...

pilotman · 10-11-2005, 02:06 AM

dayton is a fantastic museum and ultimately if not well preserved, memphis belle will dissappear for all of us, and that would truly be a shame.

FLYBOYJ · 10-11-2005, 09:33 AM

I agree totally!

Since Working at the Air Force Academy, I am told that Steve Ritchie's F-4 is on display somewhere on the grounds - this is the aircraft he became an ace in and I was told it was on display out side! A REAL ACE'S AIRPLANE! How many aces's actual aircraft are still in tact?!?! This aircraft should also be in Dayton....

Nonskimmer · 10-11-2005, 10:04 AM

Static aircraft outside, whether they're on sticks or not, make good showpieces until either the weather takes a toll or someone defaces or otherwise damages them. They'd be much better off being looked after inside. The Belle will be better off this way, I'm sure.

hellmaker · 10-11-2005, 04:43 PM

I wanted to go to an Aviation Museum in France, but when I got there I was very disappointed. All the airplanes were left outside to the elements, and more, it had a f****d up programm from 2 o'clock to 6, ot something like that... SO not all museums take their mission seriously...

evangilder · 10-12-2005, 09:10 AM

Sometimes it's a matter of space. IN Camarillo, we have a couple of large transports, several trainers and fighters and a bomber that are all taking space. The C-46 and C-131 have to sit outside because there is no room for them. They are well maintained and flown regularly though, so that makes a difference. If they were out on sticks, it would likely be another story.

hellmaker · 10-13-2005, 06:12 PM

I am shure that most museums take their mission serious. That doesn't mean that there are those few that forget the meaning of the word "museum". And that is sad...