(Part 2 of 2) For almost 60 years the B-17 bomber, the Memphis Belle, called Memphis, Tennessee home. In Oct. 2005, The US 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 www.imdb.com
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(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…
I’m so sorry for those in Memphis that worked so hard to salvage the Belle from her display by the river.. That was a poor location to display a National treasure. I’m getting into this topic way to late to make a difference, but since the Army was going to turn her into aluminum foil in 1946,
To be continued…
“We have Elvis and Graceland, who needs an old beat up airplane to draw tourists.” This was the response I got from someone who lives in Memphis when I asked them how they felt about the city losing “The Belle” at an airshow a couple years ago. Sadly, it seems Elvis brings more money into the city than the “old beat up airplane” ever did and he’s dead. Memphis had almost 60 years to make it right now they can reap the rewards of their apathy. I wonder how much the mayor sold the plane for???
Sadly, the general public can’t be trusted inside a museum piece. I have seen people try to remove “souveniers” from aircraft they have been allowed to tour. The American public thinks that if it’s in a museum they can take a piece or two because “they helped pay for it with their tax dollars”. This was the excuse a “gentleman” gave when he was caught trying to remove the charging handle and radio parts from a B-17 OWNED by the Commemorative Air Force (Confederate Air Force at the time).
Both Parts I and II are excellent! My only criticism is that at the end of Part II the producers don’t show the Memphis Belle being carted off to Dayton on the mutiple flatbed 18-wheel tractor-trailers. I saw it! She looked like a kidnapped bound and gagged royal damsel kicking and screaming all the way back to her captors home!
Memphis has had the plane for years and treated her like a second class citizen! Wright/Pat will take care of this national monument. Its only Memphis by name!
I wept when I slapped her on the wingtip, in Memphis. I weep again now, but perhaps the Bellle’s fate has changed for the better since this film. Wouldn’t be the first time! Bon chance, Belle enchante!
Read Captain Robert Morgan’s autobiography for details on the questions you ask. You’ll see where the Belle got her name and maybe understand a little more about her history and the travesty of what the Air Force did. The Belle was doomed to be scrapped by the USAAF in 1946 until the City of Memphis purchased her out of a boneyard in SW Oklahoma. She was not sold back to the USAF until 1976.
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.
Yes but it will go in a meuseum like most of the other b17’s it costs 1000 u:K pounds an hour to keep one flying but that’s not the point. the point is it should be kept flying and the public should be able to look around inside it and get close to it and see the most famous bomber of world war two. its a waste and it belongs in memphis. now i’m fromt the uk where it would have flown from it belongs in memphis restored for all the public to see close up
hey but where was it built? where was the crew from? were they all from memphis? this aircraft is property of all of the U.S. If you can put it where it will have more people appreciating it and better looked after, i have no problem.
The Memphis Belle deserved a better fate in Memphis. At least she will rest at the USAF museum. As Inidana Jones says over and over, IT (SHE) BELONGS IN A MUSEUM!
The BELLE was actually on the grounds of the TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD Armory on Hollywood St for many years. A crew of our fraternity pledges and I from the Univ. Of Memphis worked to clean the plane in 1967. Because it was on display, outside, there was wear and tear due to weather and vandalism. Eventually it was moved to Mud Island.
Given the past performance of the people of Memphis,little was done to restore this historic aircraft.Maybe the USAAF has just had enough of waiting around for them to restore it.Hopefully,it will be on show to alot more people and will be cared for in a more professional manner.After 60 years in Memphis,it was still a wreck.
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!