Q#Where and at what times can i see the “Belle” now?Ī#The “Belle” can only be viewed during the “behind the scenes” tours offered by the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, OH# These tours are only offered on Friday afternoons and you must be preregistered in advance to participate# Please contact the USAFM for more information # Q# What were the dimensions of The Memphis Belle (B-17)?Ī#The Memphis Belle’s Dimensions Are: Wing Span: 103’9″ Length: 74’9″ Height: 19’1″ Crew: 10 Weight: 65,000 lbs# Speed: 160 m#p#h# at 25,000 ft# Fuel: 2,520 gallons Oil: 147#6 gallons Range: 2,800 miles at 152 MPH at 10,000 ft# Bomb Load: 8,000 lbs# Guns: Thirteen 50 caliber machine guns Service ceiling: 37,500 ft# Cost: $314,109 Units Built: 12,731 Back to top The “Belle’s” crew is credited with shooting down 7 German fighters during its combat tour, but the story is far more complex than that, and a special section of this website is dedicated to explaining that.How many airplanes did the Belle shoot down?Ī.A number of crew members were injured on the “Belle” in combat, but they were all very minor wounds, but that doesn’t make for a good movie script these days. The B17 is well known for its ability to operate with serious damage. Many B17’s made their way back from air raids on only one engine. You should obtain a copy of the 1943 documentary movie, if you would like to get the facts. You may have been watching the 1990 theatrical release movie of the “Memphis Belle,” from Sir David Putnam and Catherine Wyler based on the questions you ask.Did the “Belle” really fly in on only one engine? Did the left waist gunner get skinned by a German bullet? did the “Belle” really have to almost belly land?Ī.By early May 1943, several aircraft and crews were nearing the long-anticipated number. Many people believed daylight precision bombing was near-suicidal, and public morale needed a boost. Since August 17, 1942, the 8th Air Force had been bombing targets in Europe, but no airman had yet completed a tour of duty. In May 1943, an Allied victory was far from certain. involvement in World War II, news from the front wasn’t always good. Why was completing 25 missions so important in May 1943?Ī.In other words, a bomber crewman at that time only had a 30-50% chance of completing his tour of duty. Early experience showed that the average life expectancy of a bomber crew in late 1942 was 8-12 missions. Important factors in that decision were: The physical stress of high altitude flight in poorly heated, unpressurized aircraft, The psychological stress of aerial combat, and The numerical strength and quality of the Luftwaffe. Army Air Force planners decided that a tour of duty for bombers was to be 25 missions.Why did bomber crews have to fly 25 missions?Ī.The aircraft flew one more mission a day later to complete its 25th mission. Bob Morgan and most of the crew completed their 25th missions on May 17th. Jim Veins was the first crew members to complete his 25 missions on May 13th. It depends if you are referring to crew members or the aircraft.What day is the anniversary of the 25th mission?Ī.Using their “super secret” Norden bombsights and able to fly at high altitudes due to their innovative superchargers, the B-17 “Flying Fortresses” were the right tool at the right time in the hands of the right men. The bombers of the USAAF took on the challenge of daylight precision bombing and succeeded in the face of dramatic losses. The “Memphis Belle” and her crew represent all the planes and crews of the 8th Army Air Force fighting in the European Theater of Operations.How was “Memphis Belle” important to World War Two?Ī.
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