While the real B-17F Memphis Belle is now in the National Museum of the United States Air Force, this Belle starred in the 1990 film and is a very close copy of the real one. The real Belle is one of the Air Force’s most historic and famous World War II aircraft. It was only the third heavy bomber to complete 25 missions but the first to return to the United States where it went on a war bond tour.
At the show you were allowed to climb up into the aircraft and it was there that you realized just how narrow and tight everything was in there. Compared to the other planes and jets that went zipping and flipping across the sky, Belle just made her comparatively slow passes across the sky for everyone to see and that was just fine!
Teri 📷
The cockpit area.
The view from the very narrow bombing area.
Images by T.Dashfield Photography 
Wow haw cool is that! I never realized how tight/small it is inside these giant airplanes.
You had to be wiry then and now to get around in there.
B17s are cool. The Texas Raiders B17 stopped in Albuquerque last month. There are a lot of tight spaces in those planes.
Very true and the wood inside surprised me as well.
This plane has a great legacy. We had some WWII bombers visit Nashua a few years back and I went to see them. You’re right, they are tiny inside. It was all about the payload. Cheers
Yes it was and I’d imagine when this first flew they were manned by young limber men.
Ever notice that old and limber just never go together. 😐
No comment! hehehe
Aren’t they incredible. Tiny inside… how did they do it?
Seeing the inside of these Bombers is an awesome sight.
They were probably young kids at the time and in great shape from military drills. You did not stand up in this!
Yes they were 19ish.
I toured one and thought the same thing.
Surprisingly small on the inside isn’t it?
Why yes! Yes it is…