rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 26, 2014 This past April, my good friend and fellow Forum member John Ferguson invited me to tag along as he shuttled the B-17 named "The Movie - Memphis Belle" from Gillespie Field (east of San Diego) to Camarillo Airport (about 55 miles north of Los Angeles). I jumped at the opportunity! For those of you who don't know John (aka: B-17 Guy) beyond his militaria collecting skills and shared knowledge here on the Forum, he's also an accomplished pilot. During his work-week, John is a full time corporate jet pilot...and on the weekends he's entrusted to fly numerous types of vintage warbirds at airshows and fund raisers across the country. One of John's passions is donating his time and flying abilities to "The Liberty Foundation" which is a non-profit organization that raises money for severely wounded and disabled American Veterans, as well as preserving and sharing with the public their historic aircraft and aviation displays. (For more information, please visit www.libertyfoundation.org or call (918) 340-0243.) Here's a picture of Captain John Ferguson in the left seat of the B-17 which starred in the 1990 release of "The Movie - Memphis Belle." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strawberry 9 Posted October 26, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 26, 2014 What an opportunity! I bet it was a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted October 26, 2014 As most of you know, the original Memphis Belle is now housed and displayed at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Museum near Dayton, Ohio. The original was a B-17 "F" model. At the time of the movie's production in 1988-1989, there were only eight air-worthy B-17's in the world. Five of those eight heavy bombers were contracted to be used in the movie and had to be modified to appear like the "F" model. Modifications included having their chin turrets removed; having tail turrets installed; and being painted olive drab green. I understand the B-17 seen in these images was purchased by David Tallichet in 1982 and restored by his company M.A.R.C. (Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation). It was flown to England, along with the other four contracted B-17's for filming, then returned to the United States where the Tallichet Family generously agreed to contract their airplane to the Liberty Foundation for fund-raising purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 26, 2014 Here's some images... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted October 26, 2014 Nose... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted October 26, 2014 Other side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted October 26, 2014 Tail guns...Pete and Repete! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted October 26, 2014 Waist... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted October 26, 2014 Left side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #10 Posted October 26, 2014 Right side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted October 26, 2014 Ball Turret... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted October 26, 2014 Under the right wing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted October 26, 2014 Inert 500 pounder hanging in the bomb-bay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #14 Posted October 26, 2014 Image of the ball turret from inside the aircraft... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #15 Posted October 26, 2014 Looking out the top hatch towards the tail... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #16 Posted October 26, 2014 Left wing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #17 Posted October 26, 2014 The catwalk through the bomb bay towards the cabin... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #18 Posted October 26, 2014 Top turret... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted October 26, 2014 Engine #1... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #20 Posted October 26, 2014 Over the ball turret, looking forward through the radio-room... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #21 Posted October 26, 2014 Another view of the ball turret. Can you see yourself climbing into this capsule? I can't imagine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #22 Posted October 26, 2014 As if this adventure wasn't already thrilling enough, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) had one of their beautiful P-51's in San Diego which needed to be moved to Camarillo Airport for an upcoming event as well. So, we got a P-51 escort for the entire journey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #23 Posted October 26, 2014 P-51...Cadillac of the sky! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #24 Posted October 26, 2014 P-51 moving up quickly on our right tail to take his position... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rustywings Posted October 26, 2014 Author Share #25 Posted October 26, 2014 Sliding up our right side... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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