Restored WWII bomber Memphis Belle makes public debut
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Robert K. Morgan Jr.'s voice wavered with emotion when he talked about seeing the Memphis Belle all put together for the first time in 50 years.
His father, Robert Sr., had flown the legendary B-17F on 25 perilous bombing missions in World War II and worked the rest of his life to make sure the airplane was preserved.
The famed "Flying Fortress," looking better than new, was put on public display Thursday morning after a restoration project that took more than a dozen years and 55,000 hours of labor at the National Museum of U.S. Air Force.
"Dad would be so proud," said the 72-year-old Morgan, who lives in San Francisco. "I wish he were here. It means everything to me and my family. He's here in spirit.