Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress The Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress is a 1944 documentary film which provides an account of the final mission of the crew of the "Memphis Belle", a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. In May 1943 it became the first U.S. Army Air Forces heavy bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe and return to the United States. The dramatic 16 mm color film of actual battles was made by three cinematographers, including First Lieutenant Harold J. Tannenbaum. Tannenbaum, a veteran of World War I, was killed in action during the
B-17G "Flying Fortress" No. 44-83690 and in 1961, flown to Grissom Air Force Base (then known as Bunker Hill) for permanent display. The Heritage Museum Foundation, established in 1981 as part of the Air Force Museum Program, maintains 44-83690. In 2015 the aircraft was moved to the Museum of Aviation at Robins AFB, Georgia and is currently undergoing a lengthy restoration. B-17G "Flying Fortress" No. 44-83690 is a reasonably intact example of a World War II aircraft type of which only 50 exist in the world. It is also an example of an experimental craft, which participated, in military tests shortly after World War II.