Making of Memphis Belle

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 98

Hi,

Just watching Memphis Belle on channel 5 (first Iron Eagle and now this :-) ) anyway I was wondering, any one know when the film was made, where it was shot, wht aircraft were used both flying and static??

James Scott

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 50

RE: Making of Memphis Belle

Memphis Belle was made in the summer of 89 mainly at RAF Binbrook, but a lot of flying was done from Duxford also, and that is where I saw the filming with all five B17s and the B25 camera ship on Wednesday 12th July 89.

The B17s used were:-
B17F ,42-29782, N17W, Bob Richardson.
B17G ,44-8846, F-AZDX , Forteresse Toujours Volante Association.
B17G ,44-83546, N3703G ,David Tallichet.
B17G ,44-85643, F-BEEA ,Institut Geographique National.
B17G ,44-85784, G-BEDF, B17 Preservation Ltd.

***85643 was destroyed during filming at Binbrook.

The B25 Camera ship was:-
B25J, 44-30823, N1042B, Aces High Ltd.

The seven P51s were:-
P51D, 44-72216, G-BIXL, Robs Lamplough.
P51D, 44-72773, G-SUSY, Charles Church.
P51D, 44-73140, N314BG, Warbirds Of Great Britain.
P51D, 44-73149, N6340T, The Fighter Collection.
P51D, 44-73877, N167F, Scandinavian Historic Flight.
P51D, 45-11371, N1051S, Myrick Aviation.
CA-18 Mk22, A68-192, G-HAEC, Old Flying Machine Company.

***73140 and 11371 were not painted in olive drab and only used in long shots.
***11371 has since been destroyed.

The three Hispano HA-1112-M1L Buchons were:-
C4K-107, G-BOML, Old Flying Machine Company.
C4K-172, G-HUNN, Chales Church.
C4K-40?, D-FEHD, Hans Dittes.

***G-BOML has since crashed killing Mark Hanna.
***D-FEHD has since been converted to a Bf 109G-10 with a DB605.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,553

RE: Making of Memphis Belle

Blimey. Answers don't get much more comprehensive than that! :)

This has brought back some great memories; I went to both Duxford and Binbrook during that summer, and managed to get a shot of all five B17's flying. Admittedly it's not a formation shot of all five, it's three in a close vic and the other two about a mile away in the background, but it's five B17's in the air together. I doubt if I'll ever see that sight again, but I'll have a dig around at home and see if I can find the photo to post on here.

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24 years 2 months

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RE: Making of Memphis Belle

Sorry, forgot to ask... anyone know what became of G-HUNN?

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 979

RE: Making of Memphis Belle

The last I heard G-HUNN was being operated by the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Texas. Regards, Phil.A.

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24 years 2 months

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RE: Making of Memphis Belle

Unfortunatelly,G-HUNN is not currently flying with the Cavanaugh museum.It was modified a few years ago to look like a Bf109E,with clipped wing tips and a Daimler-Benz 601(allegedly in working order).The problem is that the Buchon has lower ground clearence than a 'real' Bf109,so any attempt to actually fly the aircraft would result in the prop blades striking the ground when the aircraft rotates.Ooops!

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24 years 2 months

Posts: 98

RE: Making of Memphis Belle

Thanks to all that replied.