The Memphis Belle

Last April we took a Behind the Scenes Tour of the Restoration Division of the National Museum of the US Air Force. Click for part 1 here, and part 2 here. A year later we went back, primarily to see the progress on the restoration of the B-17F Memphis Belle, and plan on going back every year until it is done.

The vertical stabilizer is now back on.


The right horizontal stabilizer is being finished.


The tail gunner section was in a separate room being worked on last year, but is now ready to go back in place.


The tail gunner kneels in place, perched on a small seat.


On each side are the boxes for the ammunition belts, which feed alongside the gunner.




A lot of metal work is being done on many areas of the plane.














Much of the activity in the restoration area has to do with the museum expansion. The massive Titan IV space launch vehicle is being readied to be moved and assembled once the new fourth building is completed.






A C-119J is being restored for display in the new building. This particular aircraft was used as a satellite catcher.



This F-104A spent years on outside display at the museum mounted on a pole.



A new canopy has been made for it.