U.S. Department of Defense photo by Lisa Ferdinando, 03OCT2019.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper gets a ‘walk around’ of the Memphis Belle at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio, 03OCT2019.
After 13 years of rebuilding, the B-17F Memphis Belle was ready for unveiling in 2018. Part of the restoration included painting the World War Two Boeing Flying Fortress with period correct paint.
U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock, 13FEB2018.
Painting the bomb bay.
Boeing B-17F “Memphis Belle” rests inside a hangar at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 01FEB2018. USAF photo by J.M. Eddins Junior.
U.S. Air Force photo by R.J. Oriez, official unveiling 16MAY2018.
Official video report about the ‘period correct’ painting process, January 2018:
Official video report explaining the confusion over what are ‘correct’ markings for the Memphis Belle (even as a beginning kit builder in the 1970s I heard/read many arguments between ‘adult’ builders as to what the correct markings were), includes lots of color war-time film:
Dramatic music video, how to paint and install your B-17 propellers:
Official video report, installing the tail gunner station into a ‘naked’ Memphis Belle, 2017:
Dramatic music video of completed Memphis Belle being moved in early 2018 to new location, just think how lucky the tow-truck driver is:
Here’s almost 13 minutes of silent color wartime footage of the Memphis Belle:
New York Air National Guard Photo by Staff Sergeant Christopher S. Muncy, 17SEP2017
This B-17F ‘Memphis Belle’ is owned by the Liberty Foundation, the pic was taken in 2017. It is not painted correctly, can you see the boo-boo? Compare it to the pic at the top of the article. (clue: Blue on the driver’s left, red on the driver’s right)
Photo dated 1943.
In 1978 Revell tried to compete with Monogram’s excellent 1:48 scale B-17G, by issuing a 1:48 B-17F. Dimensionally it was about the same size as Monogram’s but lacked the awesome detailing. It’s still periodically re-issued.
In 1962, Revell issued a 1:72 scale B-17F Memphis Belle. As a child in the early 1970s, Revell’s 1972 rebox was the first World War Two bomber kit I built.
Hasegawa issued a 1:72 Memphis Belle in 2009, however, it is not a new tooling. It’s their old 1976 kit with new decals.
Academy’s 1:72 Memphis Belle is much nicer than the ancient Revell, and the old Hasegawa, kits.
VEHICLE I-D: C-47 DAKOTA/SKYTRAIN, DOUGLAS COMMERCIAL-3, R4D GOONIES! (with long kit shopping list)