USAF Museum seeks Memphis Belle pictures

'Memphis Belle' is readied for restoration at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. US Air Force image

19 June 2009

The National Museum of the US Air Force's restoration division is seeking information needed to accurately restore B-17F Flying Fortress Memphis Belle, one of the Second World War's most famous aircraft.

Memphis Belle was the first US Army Air Forces bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States in 1943. Upon its arrival at the museum in 2005, restoration volunteers began working to restore it to its appearance at the completion of that last mission.

Despite the aircraft's fame, little footage of the interior exists. It is believed that the cabin was modified after it left the factory; all B-17 models were built with a navigator's desk on the left side, and Belle came to the museum with the desk on the right. Restoration crew members have heard recollections of this arrangement during its final missions, but no wartime photos support these statements. Actual footage of Belle used in the 1943 documentary ‘The Memphis Belle’ shows the navigator working on the left side, but the shot does not show the desk, leading to speculations that the workspace could be the sextant and bombsight storage locker usually located in that area.

The museum's restoration division is seeking photographs of the interior of Belle taken time during or shortly after its service. Searches of local newspapers and libraries along the route of Belle's war bond tour have proved fruitless. Any photographs taken while it was in England would be especially appreciated.

To provide a photo, please contact the Restoration Division at http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/

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