Memphis Awaits the Belle: The Moment That United a Country
By Craig Tinder | Aces In Action
19 June 1943 - the Memphis Belle lifted off from Washington, D.C.—not headed into combat this time, but toward something entirely different: home. After completing 25 dangerous bombing missions over Europe with her crew intact, the Belle had earned her place in history. Now, she was beginning a new mission: a War Bond Tour across the U.S., aimed at boosting morale and raising funds.
But this stop was different. The Belle was flying to Memphis, Tennessee—the city she was named after, and home to Margaret Polk, the woman who inspired the name.
Artist Craig Tinder with fragments of B-17E Memphis Belle Rubber Tire and canvas artwork at Aces In Action - Orlando, Florida
A Name, a Promise, and a First Meeting
Before he ever left for war, pilot Robert Morgan had promised his then-girlfriend Margaret that he’d name his B-17 after her hometown. And he kept that promise. The words Memphis Belle were proudly painted on the nose of the aircraft, along with a pin-up based on George Petty’s artwork.
What’s truly incredible is that Margaret had never actually seen the plane in person—until that day in Memphis. After hearing her name called out over the radio and seeing the Belle circle in with a B-26 and P-38 as escort, she finally laid eyes on the aircraft that had carried her name—and her heart—through enemy skies and safely back home.
Original fundraising plaque with tire fragment preserved from Mud Island during the 1990s restoration efforts
Buzzing the Field—By Order of General Hap Arnold
As with every stop on the War Bond Tour, Robert Morgan didn’t just land quietly—he made sure the crowd knew the Belle had arrived. Following a direct order from General “Hap” Arnold himself, Morgan buzzed the field at full throttle, flying low over the heads of the cheering crowd. The roar of the four Wright R-1820 engines let everyone know that the Memphis Belle was still very much alive, and now, she was theirs to see. It was bold, it was loud, and it was exactly what the country needed.
Original rubber tire fragments from the Memphis Belle
Preserving the Legacy—One Relic at a Time
Fast forward a few decades—after years of sitting outside exposed to the elements, the Memphis Belle eventually made her way through a much-needed restoration. During her time at Mud Island in the 1990s, components like her original tires were removed and replaced.
Those original tire fragments were saved and turned into commemorative plaques to raise money for the restoration. Some were even signed by Robert Morgan and Margaret Polk. That same rubber—once part of the wheels that touched down in Memphis—is now preserved in our “Memphis Awaits the Belle” Limited Edition Canvas (30"x20") and Aluminum Print (18"x12) artwork.
Each piece includes a real piece of that tire, framed into the artwork as a physical link to this legendary aircraft and the people connected to it.
Photo of the Memphis Belle's 25th Mission
A Story That’s Always Been Bigger Than the Plane
The Memphis Belle isn’t just remembered because she survived 25 missions—though that’s impressive in itself. She’s remembered because her story was personal. It brought the war home in a way that made people stop, look, and feel proud.
This artwork captures one of the most powerful moments in that story. It’s not about bombs or dogfights—it’s about the connection between an airplane, a promise, and the woman who waited for it to come home.
And of course, it’s about a pilot who—just like in combat—couldn’t resist making a little noise on his way in.
If you’re like me and believe history should be felt, not just studied—this is a piece of that story you can hold onto.
16 June 1943 at Washington National Airport. Note the Mission List painted on the vertical stabilizer
Inspirational photo as the Memphis Belle departs for Memphis on 19 June 1943
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