44-85784 (now Sally B)

B-17G-105-VE 44-85784

Various civilian duties in the US and France, before reaching the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, UK.  Carried markings of the 447th during the 1980s; used in 1990 film Memphis Belle; currently on display at Duxford as Sally B.

 

44-85784 Sally B in 447th BG markings during a 1987 air show (photographer: John Meneely)

 

Sally B in 1987 (possibly Paul Schaller)

 

Sally B in 1988  (photographer: Alex Christie)

 

Sally B in 1989 (photographer: Stephen Rendle)

 

 

 

The 447th BG markings on Sally B were removed for the filming of 1990 movie Memphis Belle. She still carries that artwork on the right side, along with her black/yellow checkered cowling on the No. 3 engine.

 

Sally B artwork on the left side, even though the plane now wears OD paint.

 

Earlier Sally B artwork when the plane was NMF.

 

44-85784 was used for training purposes following the end of the Second World War and painted in the colors of the 457th Bomb Group in the 1970s.

 

Delivered Burbank 19/6/45; Rome 13/7/45; Reconstruction Finance Corporation (sold for scrap metal in USA) Altus 5/11/45; designated EB-17G, then ETB-17G and used for man-carrying wing tip pod tests 1949; sold IGN France as F-BGSR 31/10/54; sold to Ted White as N17TE in 1970; to UK as G-BEDF on airshow circuit at IWM Duxford, UK., as SALLY B (41-24485 more latterly as MEMPHIS BELLE).

 

 

 


Some photos/information provided by:

  • Photographers noted when possible

Some information and/or images sourced from the American Air Museum database