The Memphis Belle Exhibit Is Now Open At Dayton’s National Museum Of The USAF

The Memphis Belle exhibit at the National Museum Of The United States Air Force is now open in Dayton, Ohio.  This historic Boeing B-17 bomber from WWII sits atop 3 steel pylons, lit with beautiful theatrical lighting.  During day two, several WWII-era aircraft landed at the Air Force Museum runway, and we were treated to numerous flyovers by the plane commonly known as “Air Force One.”  The President was not aboard, so this reverted to being just a Boeing 747 VC-25 (which was awesome to see flying over the museum)

The Memphis Belle exhibit sits diagonally in the back left corner of the first building at this aviation museum. This museum exhibit is unique. I believe it was set up to look as if the plane was in motion. It allows for the turret in the belly of the plane easy to see and understand. Sometimes, planes can be too high or too low to be able to see details. Not this one. The refreshed paint job is impeccable. It is a stark contrast to the hunks of bar fuselage I first encountered in the restoration hangar in 2015.

The photos. below are some of the few aviation photos I have taken that include people. Generally, I attempt to have a more timeless look to my photos. For this event, it was important to include the people that came out for the opening. I especially love the people that dressed up in period-appropriate costumes

Entry to the museum is 100% free and opens at 9 am. This historic aircraft became famous for its successes in the war. It regained fame in the 1990s because of the movie, Memphis Belle. This film captured a replica plane but not the real one. Check out my other aviation photography.

Historic B-17F Arrives At Her Final Home In Dayton Ohio

The Historic B-17F Memphis Belle arrived at the National Museum Of The United States Air Force in 2005.  Shortly after it entered restoration at the museum’s restoration hangar, I had the opportunity to walk through and photograph the airplane while it was in pieces.  Then in 2017, I was able to photograph the rear turret installation also in the restoration hangar.  Today, March 14, 2018, I had the awesome opportunity to photograph the Memphis Belle as she rolled to her final resting place inside the World War II gallery in building one at the museum.  The process included a photo op with the airplane known as Shoo Shoo Baby which was destined for the Smithsonian Institution.

Background:  The museum, also known as the “Air Force Museum” houses hundreds of aircraft, helicopters, missiles, drones, and more. Thanks to the fine folks at the museum for allowing me to photograph several events at this excellent aviation museum.

In 2017, the USAFM opened its fourth hangar or “4th building” or ‘fourth building.” It sits on the easternmost side of the property.  It houses some amazing pieces of United States history including the Sacred Cow, JFK’s Air Force One, Hanoi Tax, and a NASA Space Shuttle Trainer.

I hope you enjoy my Dayton photography and my aviation photography as much as I do.  Being one of a handful of professional photographers in Dayton Ohio who documents the city on a daily basis is truly a pleasure.

Published Photos Of The Memphis Belle By A Dayton Ohio Aviation Photographer

The Memphis Belle Dayton Ohio exhibit at the National Museum Of The United States Air Force was the focus of an Ohio Magazine piece. They published some of my special event photographs of the Air Force Museum.  The museum recently unveiled this historic Boeing B-17 bomber from World War II on a beautiful but windy day.

The images at the bottom of this post are screenshots of some websites that have published some of my Memphis Belle aviation photography. It was such an honor to photograph this historic WWII aircraft! This is probably the single best aviation photo I have ever taken. Not only is the plane situated perfectly but the museum and Air Force logo are behind it.

About The Memphis Belle Dayton Ohio

The B-17 Memphis Belle holds a special place in aviation history. This bomber gained fame during WWII as it flew 25 missions over Europe. With its iconic nose art and silver body, the Memphis Belle became a symbol of American air power. Its crew, led by Captain Robert Morgan, earned well-deserved recognition for their unwavering determination and courage. Today, the preserved Memphis Belle serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women who fought in the war, a testament to their resilience and the indomitable spirit of the Allied forces.

The B-17 Flying Fortress stands as one of World War II’s most iconic aircraft. While the Memphis Belle is celebrated for completing 25 missions, other B-17s also made history. The “Mi Amigo” crashed in Sheffield, England, after its crew heroically steered away from a school, sacrificing themselves to save others. Another B-17, the “All American,” survived a brutal attack that destroyed its tail, engines, and rudder, yet the crew still landed safely in North Africa. These stories honor the courage and resilience of the men who flew these legendary warbirds.

The First Time I Walked Through The Shell Of Memphis Belle