Restored WWII bomber Memphis Belle is moved into Ohio museum
By The Associated Press
This 1943 file photo shows the crew of the Memphis Belle, a Flying Fortress B-17F, poses in front of their plane in Asheville, N.C. Standing from left to right: tail gunner John P. Quinlan of Yonkers, N.Y.; nose gunner Charles B. Leighton of East Lansing, Mich.; co-pilot James Verinis of New Haven, Conn.; pilot Robert K. Morgan of Asheville, N.C.; bombardier Vincent Evans of Buellton, Calif.; radio operator Robert J. Hansen of Billings, Montana. Kneeling from left to right: waist gunner C.A. Nastal of Arlington Heights, Ill.; ball turret gunner Cecil H. Scott of Iselin, N.Y.; waist gunner C.E. Winchell of Barrington, Ill.; and navigator Harold P. Lock of Green Bay, Wisconsin. (AP)
DAYTON, Ohio — The fabled World War II bomber Memphis Belle has been moved into its new home at an Ohio museum after years of restoration work, but won’t go on public display until May.
This May 23, 2017 photo shows the B-17 bomber known as the Memphis Belle in the restoration hangar at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio. The restored plane will go on public display at the museum spring 2018. (Mitch Stacy/AP)In this May 23, 2017 photo, at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, new propellers wait to be installed as part of the restoration of the World War II B-17 bomber known as the Memphis Belle near Dayton, Ohio. The restored plane will go on public display at the museum spring 2018. (Mitch Stacy/AP)In this May 23, 2017 photo, a new propeller waits to be installed on the restored World War II B-17 bomber known as the Memphis Belle near Dayton, Ohio. The restored plane will go on public display at the museum spring 2018 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Mitch Stacy/AP)
It’s one of the most celebrated American planes to survive the war. It flew over occupied France and Germany, then weathered decades on display outdoors in Memphis, Tennessee, before being moved to Ohio in 2005.
It will be unveiled at the museum May 17, the 75th anniversary of its crew’s 25th and final mission.
Curator Jeff Duford says visitors will be able to get close to the aircraft.
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