# Air Force is restoring both the Memphis Belle and the Swoose **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 24, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213 "2010-10-24T19:29:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/21 "2010-10-25T17:23:25Z")
Coulda been _The War Lover_. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2010, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/22 "2010-10-25T17:34:42Z")
Come to think of it, there was a B-17 in “The High and the Mighty” - one the Coast Guard was going to use to drop a lifeboat at the DC-4’s planned ditching location. My apologies! The Commemorative Air Force (formerly Confederate) has just put its own restored B-24 out on the circuit, after converting it back from a transport configuration. That makes 2. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/23 "2010-10-26T02:18:27Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > There was a debate thread about this once. IMO, yes, and most complex machines are designed for replacement parts. All the Swoose’s engines were changed fairly early in the war. It was common to “cannibalize” planes that were damaged beyond economical repair for parts to repair other planes. That might have been me. I started a [Ship of Theseus thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=557458). NB: I’ve found out that the ‘scratch-built Spitfire’ the woman in England was building is a non-flying replica. I was under the wrong impression. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/24 "2010-10-26T04:15:06Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > NB: I’ve found out that the ‘scratch-built Spitfire’ the woman in England was building is a non-flying **replica**. I was under the wrong impression. Replica!! I was trying to think of that word for my last post. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/25 "2010-10-26T04:25:25Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I had an email exchange about getting into Friday’s tour. Unfortunately it entails a three and a half hour time commitment, including getting onto a a bus and going to another site, so there’s no way you can duck out early. So even if a space comes open, I can’t spend that much time on it. > > I’ll go there anyway, and spend some time checking out the regular collection. > > Deereman, really cool videos! How long a flight did they give you? Email them again. The restoration section is next to the Annex where they keep the presidential planes on one side and stuff like the XB-70 and YF-12A on the other. Those buses run at 30 minute intervals (you must return after 30 minutes). You might be able to catch one of these buses with advance notice. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/26 "2010-10-26T04:44:52Z")
If you don’t go on the tour I would recommend you focus on the WW-II section of the museum or the early flight section. The WW-II section has stuff like Me-262, the 163 with an example of of the 2 stage rocket engine, a V1, a V2, German air to air wire guided missile, a Japanese Cherry Blossom, Ju88’s, Mosquitos, the B-29 “Bock’s Car”, P-61 Black Widow, B-17, B-24, B-25, Spitfires, German submarine sail-copters… lots of cool stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/27 "2010-10-26T04:56:00Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > German submarine sail-copters… [Focke-Achgelis Fa 330](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focke_Achgelis_Fa_330). ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/28 "2010-10-26T13:33:25Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > Email them again. The restoration section is next to the Annex where they keep the presidential planes on one side and stuff like the XB-70 and YF-12A on the other. Those buses run at 30 minute intervals (you must return after 30 minutes). You might be able to catch one of these buses with advance notice. Thanks for the thought, but I won’t do that. The emails were about getting me on the waiting list in advance, because they normally start taking names as soon as they open that day, and I won’t be arriving until very near the start time of the tour. It doesn’t seem reasonable to me to start asking for special arrangements with buses when I’m still unsure whether I’ll even get in on the tour. ---
**Author:** ![hellpaso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecae2f/32.png) [@hellpaso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hellpaso)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/29 "2010-10-27T04:02:01Z")
I’m glad to hear the “Belle” is being restored. Long before it was neglected on Mud Island, it was neglected on the lawn of the Memphis National Guard Armory on Central. I still remember my Daddy helping me up into the cockpit of the old gal, when I was just a lil WW2 plane buff. I even have a “special” connection with the Belle’s nose art–I just can’t really go into it here. Any of ya’ll that aren’t really interested in the old planes; watch the ultimate B-17 film, “12 O’Clock High”. You might find yourself astounded. The stock footage in that film is breathtaking. The initial scenes of Dean Jagger at the abandoned airfield (which was actually an old WW2 airfield in Florida) is outstanding. Of course, you could also watch the doc of the “Memphis Belle”, as well as the fictionalized movie starring Matthew Modine. Thanks for the update! ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/30 "2010-10-27T05:08:21Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Nice! > > I may have to make the trip one day, just to see a D-model. Do. It’s the last one left on earth. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/31 "2010-10-27T05:17:53Z")
Unfortunately the website doesn’t say whether it is being restored to its _original_ original state as a combat bomber, or to its later WWII state as the personal transport of General Brett. I hope it’s the former. ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/32 "2010-10-27T12:02:51Z")
According to the Warbird Information Exchange, a new gun tub is being built for the SWOOSE, so it will be in bomber configuration. When the MEMPHIS BELLE is finished, it will take SHOO SHOO SHOO BABYs place and SHOO SHOO SHOO BABY will go to the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian at Dulles Airport. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/33 "2010-10-27T12:19:39Z")
Some early war years research on frequency control devices was conducted at Wright-Patterson; they used to have a display dedicated to that endeavor. I visited there for the frequency control stuff but toured the airplane museum as well. It is a remarkable contribution to history and I completely enjoyed the experience. Long time ago, now. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/34 "2010-10-27T12:58:36Z")
> [@audit1](#): > > According to the Warbird Information Exchange, a new gun tub is being built for the SWOOSE, so it will be in bomber configuration. When the MEMPHIS BELLE is finished, it will take SHOO SHOO SHOO BABYs place and SHOO SHOO SHOO BABY will go to the Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian at Dulles Airport. The Udvar-Hazy Center already has large parts of a B-17 on display. Does anybody know where? ---
**Author:** ![audit1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@audit1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audit1)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/35 "2010-10-28T07:45:20Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > The Udvar-Hazy Center already has large parts of a B-17 on display. Does anybody know where? The SMithsonian had two b-17s the swoose and a B-17g in storage. They made a deal with the USAF musuem. The swoose goes to Dayton. The B-17g was sent to Savannah Georgia to the Eighth air force museum. It is undergoing restoration to static display. The Smithsonian gets SHOO SHOO SHOO BABY when the MEMPHIS BELLE And Swoose finish their restoration. To keep track of B-17s comings and going I recommend [www.aerovintage.com](http://www.aerovintage.com) which keeps track of these things. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/36 "2010-10-28T12:00:40Z")
> [@audit1](#): > > The SMithsonian had two b-17s the swoose and a B-17g in storage. They made a deal with the USAF musuem. The swoose goes to Dayton. The B-17g was sent to Savannah Georgia to the Eighth air force museum. It is undergoing restoration to static display. The Smithsonian gets SHOO SHOO SHOO BABY when the MEMPHIS BELLE And Swoose finish their restoration. I know. And the Udvar-Hazy Center already has a Boeing 307 (the first pressurized airliner) on display, and it has the same wings and tail as the B-17. Before the U-H was created, the Air & Space Museum used to give tours of its storage facility in the Washington suburbs. (It wasn’t really publicized, and it was just a couple small groups per day.) I took that tour in the summer of '01 and saw some amazing stuff, including the Swoose. Things were stored wherever there was room; the fuselage was in the middle of the floor, the wings were against one of the walls. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/37 "2010-10-28T15:46:49Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Compare a WWII bomber with a modern-day fighter; an F-15 is only about 10 feet shorter than a B-17G. At the Imperial War Museum in London I saw a Spitfire and it seemed small enough. Then I saw a Sopwith Camel. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213/38 "2010-10-28T16:55:48Z")
Speaking of the Memphis Belle, I got to spend some unsupervised time in the Boeing Bee, a B-17G that appeared as the Kathleen in the movie. It was in flyable condition when acquired by the Museum of Flight a few years ago and supposedly still is. It and some other goodies were stashed in Boeing’s plant 2 which is now scheduled to be demolished. Took a few pictures [here](http://gallery.me.com/andykeck#100132&bgcolor=black&view=grid). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-force-is-restoring-both-the-memphis-belle-and-the-swoose/558213.md?page=1)