It became a civilian plane and was restored as a B-17F. Hollywood turned the bomber’s story into a movie, portrayed by another B-17 that became a staff transport before seeing duty during the Korean War. The first B-17 to complete its tour of duty in World War II, the original Memphis Belle returned from every mission intact, and its crew unharmed. One of the legendary planes that survived World War II is the Memphis Belle, housed at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. Starting April 20, airplane and military enthusiasts will have an opportunity to ride aboard one of these massive warbirds.
With four roaring engines, impressive wingspan and so much fire power it was called a “flying fortress,” the Boeing B-17 became the most famous bomber of World War II.