From: flyn3nvt@adelphia.net
Date: Fri Nov 21 2003 - 15:56:05 PST
This is correct about the Belle. As for owning rare aircraft, it is alot like owning a MV since I do own both. My father and I own and fly a 1940 Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3.....only 816 of the -3's were built and there are about 50 left still flying. Some of these including ours were finally retired from the Navy in 1959!! There is a small organization that is dedicated to the preservation of the N3N. This is crucial to the survival of operating one like these. Many times we have swapped parts with no $$$ involved so another N can take the air.
As for the Brittish......gotta love them!!!! Even though they fly most of the rare ones. Even if there not airworthy, they still run!!! Once a month, they will start them up and taxi them around the aerodrome for pictures. I remember reading a yr or 2 ago that a museum finally got enough money to get the 4th RollsRoyce Merlin Engine on the wing of a Lancaster......they taxied it around for pics.....the operator took the old bird and lined her on the runway and did a high speed taxi, fast enough to get the tail up.........the croud went nuts!!!!!!
Though eventually they will have a flyer.
Jeff
>
> From: "everette" <194cbteng@bellsouth.net>
> Date: 2003/11/21 Fri PM 02:26:30 EST
> To: "Military Vehicles Mailing List" <mil-veh@mil-veh.org>
> Subject: [MV] Memphis Belle
>
> Let me pass on my .02 about the Memphis Bell - the one in Memphis.
>
> It sat for many years on a concrete platform behind a chain link fence,
> windows covered over and plane painted battleship gray - no lettering no
> insignia, just a lonesome old bird sitting on a concrete platform, seen be
> very few and appreciated by even less, unless you count the pigeons that
> roosted on and in her.
>
> Then a group got together and restored her, several friends of mine put lots
> and lots of hours and lots of money into her. Then she was taken down by
> the river and put under a canvas cover - that was supposed to look like a
> parachute - unattended, if you wanted to climb up on the plane just watch
> until the volunteers that worked there were somewhere else. The Grand Old
> Lady suffered vandal attacks, and the pains that come about when you are
> over 50 years old and have very little protection from the weather.
> Somehow the Air Force found out how she was being treated and told the
> "powers at be" either take better care of her or we will come and get her
> and take her to a secure place where she can be seen. Fine print said she
> still belongs to Air Force.
>
> The city of Memphis could/would not come up with money for a building until
> someone suggested that they tie the "Belle" to the Tuskegee airmen and then
> city would/could come up money. As I understand the plan now is to have a
> "Tuskgee Airmen Museum" and display the "Belle" in it.
>
> I read the post where it said --"The real one was restored to flying
> condition with original and some hard to come by parts. It was then flown to
> Memphis and was put on display" -- my understanding was the Belle was in
> Oklahoma waiting its turn to be turned into pop cans and City of Memphis
> paid the 300.00 they wanted for it and flew it back to Memphis and put on
> concrete pedestal.
>
> Flame shields up ----------
>
> Everette
>
>
>
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