The record / 1900s

The Story & Historical Record

On 17 May 1943 the crew of the B-17F Memphis Belle bombed the U-boat pens at Lorient, France, and finished their 25th mission. At the time the Eighth Air Force was losing about one bomber for every 18 sorties, so a full 25-mission tour was a long shot. The Memphis Belle was the first Army Air Forces heavy bomber to come home to the United States after 25 missions over Europe. The airplane itself had flown its 24th that day and flew its 25th on 19 May with a different crew. The chest is a B-17F of the 91st Bomb Group on her way home in June 1943, from an official Air Force photograph, printed as a two-ink halftone.Heavyweight crewneck, from fifty-eight dollars.Heavyweight crewneck sweatshirt, relaxed unisex fit, made to order and shipped from the US. Printed in cream and orange on a dark sweatshirt. Every fact and the source photograph are listed below.Sources National Museum of the US Air Force, "The Memphis Belle: American Icon" Air Force Historical Support Division, Memphis Belle fact sheet USAF photo, B-17F on her way back to the United States, 9 Jun 1943 (public domain)

Verified Airframe Configuration