Description
The Memphis Belle, a B-17F Flying Fortress, is one of the most famous aircraft in history. In May 1943 it became the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States.
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.
Product Warnings
Product Warnings: The products we sell are adult collectibles and are generally not recommended for children under 14 unless specified. Many products contain small parts and can pose a choking risk to children. Please use only with adult supervision. If you have any questions or concerns as to whether a product is suitable for a child, please contact us. Also, always take note of warnings and directions on product packaging.
Warning for California Residents: Some products in our store can expose you to chemicals including Lead and Styrene, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information, go to:
Shipping Policies
In stock items usually ship within 1-5 business days. Inventory is allocated upon receipt of your order. In the event an error with inventory occurs, one of our team members will contact you with an update on your order.
Black Forest® Hobby Supply Co shares inventories for some items across our network of affiliated retail brands. Most items ship from large commercial warehouses, hence the specified handling times. For further information, please refer to our policies page.
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