Memphis Belle
The Memphis Belle, tail number 12-4485, was the first Boeing B-17 to complete 25 combat missions in World War II over Europe and return to the United States. More than 12,700 B-17’s were produced during the War with approximately two thirds being the “G” model which had a front or “chin” turret the Belle an “F” model did not have.
Memphis Belle B-17F SPECIFICATIONS:
Crew: 10
Armament: 12 .50-cal machine guns and 8,000 lbs of bombs
Engines: Four 1,200 hp Wright R-1820-97 turbosupercharged radials
Maximum speed: 325 mph
Range: 2,800 miles
Combat radius: 600+ miles
Maximum ceiling: 37,500 ft
Empty weight: 35,728 lbs
Maximum gross weight: 48,720 lbs
Length: 74 feet, 9 inches
Height: 19 feet, 1 inch
Wingspan: 103 feet, 9 inches
The Memphis Belle following the War spent decades on display at various locations in and around Memphis, TN was returned to the US Air Force in 2005. Upon arriving at the National Museum of the United States Air Force the B-17 underwent a painstaking 13 year restoration program and was unveiled to the public in May of 2018 on the 75th Anniversary of her final historic mission.
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The Crew:
Capt. Robert K. Morgan of Ashville, N. C., pilot;
Capt. James A. Verinis, New Haven, Conn., co-pilot;
Capt. Charles B. Leighton of Lansing, Mich., navigator;
Capt. Vincent B. Evans of Henderson, Texas, bombardier
Staff Sgt. Cecil H. Scott of Altoona, Penn., ball turret gunner;
Staff Sgt. John P. Quinlan of Yonkers, N. Y., tail gunner;
Staff Sgt. Casimer A. Nastal of Detroit, Mich., waist gunner;
Staff Sgt. Clarence E. Wichell of Oak Park, Ill., waist gunner;
Tech. Sgt. Harold P. Loch of Green Bay, Wis., top turret gunner;
Tech. Sgt. Robert J, Hanson of Walla Walla, Wash., radio operator.
Memphis Belle notes:
Unit cost: US$238,329 (1945) – US$2.7 million (in 2020 dollars)
Number built: 12,731
Memphis Belle and Crew Mission List:
7 November 1942 – Brest, France
9 November 1942 – St. Nazaire, France
17 November 1942 – St. Nazaire, France
6 December 1942 – Lille, France
20 December 1942* – Romilly-sur-Seine, France
30 December 1942 – Lorient, France (flown by Lt. James A. Verinis)
3 January 1943 – St. Nazaire, France
13 January 1943 – Lille, France
23 January 1943 – Lorient, France
14 February 1943 – Hamm, Germany
16 February 1943 – St. Nazaire, France
27 February 1943* – Brest, France
6 March 1943 – Lorient, France
12 March 1943 – Rouen, France
13 March 1943 – Abbeville, France
22 March 1943 – Wilhelmshaven, Germany
28 March 1943 – Rouen, France
31 March 1943 – Rotterdam, Netherlands
16 April 1943 – Lorient, France
17 April 1943 – Bremen, Germany
1 May 1943 – St. Nazaire, France
13 May 1943 – Meaulte, France (flown by Lt. C.L. Anderson)
14 May 1943 – Kiel, Germany (flown by Lt. John H. Miller)
15 May 1943 – Wilhelmshaven, Germany
17 May 1943 – Lorient, France
19 May 1943 – Kiel, Germany (flown by Lt. Anderson)
Morgan’s crew completed the following missions in B-17s other than the Memphis Belle:
4 February 1943 – Emden, Germany (in B-17 DF-H 41-24515 Jersey Bounce)
26 February 1943 – Wilhelmshaven, Germany (in B-17 41-24515)
5 April 1943 – Antwerp, Belgium (in B-17 41-24480 Bad Penny)
4 May 1943 – Antwerp, Belgium (in B-17 41-24527, The Great Speckled Bird)
Black & White
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Historic Images
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© David M. Brown Photography – Shutter Works Studio
Tags: david brown photography,history,memphis belle,air force museum,b17,travel,portrait,circleville,ohio,castle inn,shutter works studio,wwii,world war ii,