B-17F Flying Fortress | Memphis Belle

This B-17F Flying Fortress model airplane, the Memphis Belle, is a scale model replica authentically handcrafted from mahogany wood manufactured by Boeing. Certainly the most famous Flying Fortress it made history in May 1943 by becoming the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. There was a big publicity campaign given the life expectancy of the crews. The 8th Air Force in Europe lost more men than the entire US Marine Corps did in WWII. There was a 10% chance on each mission for a USAAF heavy bomber crew to be lost.

Flying in the 324th Bomb Squadron of the 91st Bomb Group (Heavy), the Memphis Belle and its crew of 10 flew their first combat mission on Nov. 7, 1942. Until the arrival of long-range fighters later in the war, USAAF heavy bombers often flew without escort for part of their missions. Faced with hordes of enemy aircraft, deadly antiaircraft fire and the lack of friendly fighters in the target area, it was highly unlikely that a bomber crew would finish their required 25 missions. The crew of the Memphis Belle beat the odds with their 25th combat mission on May 17, 1943, against the naval yard at Lorient, France. Interestingly, this raid was the Belle's 24th combat mission--the original crew occasionally flew missions on other 91st BG (H) B-17s (and others took the Belle on some missions also). So, on May 19, the Memphis Belle flew its 25th combat mission on a strike against Kiel, Germany, while manned by a different crew.

The B-17F Memphis Belle model aircraft is an authentic, extraordinary replica of the original aircraft that has been faithfully reproduced with kiln dried Philippine mahogany wood. Each model is meticulously carved, hand sanded and painted following exact blueprint details of the original aircraft. The result is a handsome, wood airplane sculpture to be admired and enjoyed. It also arrives with an attractive wood base for display.