B-17G Movie Memphis Belle

[Coast]

Here are some images of the B-17G Movie Memphis Belle taken yesterday and today.

The Liberty Foundation has leased this B-17G and are giving rides at various airports to help raise money to restore their B-17G Liberty Belle that burned after landing in 2012,

[WheeledWeevil82]

Great shots! But... restore the Liberty Bell? I did not think there was anything left to restore.

[WarHawK]

It was written off as a complete loss, however if you examine the end wreckage after the firefighters let the airframe burn, there was around 60% of the plane intact and use-able. There are still enough parts in existence to pull from, or can be fabricated, and these aircraft are so rare, that it's worth going through the trouble even if there was 5% of a plane left.

I am not surprised.

The EAA's acting CEO and chairman made an interesting statement the other week, and it went something as follows:

"This is a unique time in warbird history, we are now seeing warbirds go back into an air at a faster pace than in which they are being retired, crashed, or unmaintained."

There's also another B-29 that is being restored, but it has a long way to go. But shhh, you didn't hear this from me.

[WheeledWeevil82]

It is great that they are doing this but I did not realize there was enough to restore. I know about the B-29 too.

[WarHawK]

I send them an inquiry to confirm, I received this.

"The Liberty Foundation: Yes, that is indeed true. Our plans are to restore Liberty Belle and get her back into the air once again. The financial cost of this will be immense and that is why we are back out on tour and continuing to find ways to help raise the funds to get the restoration underway. Whether it's donations at a stop, memberships, or merchandise, every dollar brings us one step closer to getting air under her wings again.
"

If you guys want to help and donate, go to http://www.libertyfoundation.org/index.html and go to the bottom of the page and donate through paypal.