On this day in 1942, the legendary B-17 bomber, the Memphis Belle, was deployed to Prestwick, Scotland, to begin her military career.
The B-17 rightfully earned the nickname of the “Flying Fortress” as the Memphis Belle had a top speed of 287mph with a maximum bomb payload of 8,000lbs and ten 50-caliber machine guns to protect her on long, dangerous missions.
And danger, indeed, did the Memphis Belle face, as during her combat career she had both wings replaced, nine engine replacements, and her tail repaired twice, all from anti-aircraft and machine gun fire.
The Memphis Belle proudly represented her namesake Bluff City from her first combat mission over Brest, France to her last mission over Kiel, Germany in 1943.
