Authentic Tire Relic – A Piece of the Legend

Each framed edition includes a genuine fragment of the Memphis Belle’s rubber tire, preserved from her time at Mud Island during the 1990s restoration efforts. Originally offered on a commemorative fundraising plaque, this relic helped support the aircraft’s restoration and return to public display. The plaque was personally autographed by Captain Robert Morgan, the Belle’s pilot, and Margaret Polk—the woman whose name inspired the aircraft's iconic nose art.

This rare piece offers collectors and history enthusiasts a direct connection to one of the most famous aircraft of World War II. The embedded relic serves not just as a piece of material—but as a piece of memory, dedication, and American aviation heritage.

Original tire fragment preserved from Mud Island during the 1990s restoration efforts.

About the Memphis Belle:

The Memphis Belle is one of the most iconic aircraft to emerge from World War II. A B-17F Flying Fortress assigned to the 324th Bomb Squadron, 91st Bomb Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces, the Belle flew from Bassingbourn, England, during the height of the air war over Europe.

What set the Memphis Belle apart was her crew—and their remarkable survival. Between November 1942 and May 1943, Pilot Robert K. Morgan and his nine crewmembers flew 25 combat missions over heavily defended targets in Germany and occupied France. This was no small feat. At the time, bomber crews had to survive 25 missions to rotate home, and the odds of doing so were slim. The Belle became one of the first U.S. heavy bombers to complete that mission quota with her entire crew alive.

The crew of the Memphis Belle included:

• Pilot: Captain Robert K. Morgan

• Co-Pilot: Captain James A. Verinis

• Navigator: Captain Charles B. Leighton

• Bombardier: Captain Vincent B. Evans

• Flight Engineer/Top Turret Gunner: Technical Sergeant Harold P. Loch

• Radio Operator: Technical Sergeant Robert J. Hanson

• Ball Turret Gunner: Staff Sergeant Cecil H. Scott

• Left Waist Gunner: Staff Sergeant Eugene A. Adkins

• Right Waist Gunner: Staff Sergeant Clarence E. Winchell

• Tail Gunner: Staff Sergeant John P. Quinlan

Their aircraft, tail number 41-24485, was named after Morgan’s sweetheart, Margaret Polk of Memphis, Tennessee. Nose art featuring a George Petty pin-up from Esquire magazine completed the aircraft’s signature look.

After their final combat mission, the crew and aircraft returned to the United States for a highly publicized War Bond Tour. They visited over 30 cities across the country to boost morale and raise funds for the war effort. At each stop—by direct order of General “Hap” Arnold—Morgan would buzz the airfield in dramatic fashion, much to the delight of the waiting crowds.

Today, the Memphis Belle is preserved at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. After decades exposed to the elements and a lengthy restoration process, the Belle now serves as a powerful symbol of the courage, endurance, and sacrifice of the American bomber crews of WWII.

HERITAGE ALLOY™

Heritage Alloy™ is the next generation of Aces In Action Relic Artwork. Made from a rigid aluminum composite material, its smooth surface delivers exceptional color, contrast, and fine detail with a luminous quality that is difficult to fully capture in photographs.

Each Heritage Alloy™ edition incorporates our exclusive Artifact Dock™, integrating the authentic historical relic, its provenance, and limited-edition identification directly into the artwork. Available Ready to Hang or finished in a solid black wood frame.

GALLERY-WRAPPED CANVAS

Select Relic Artwork editions remain available on our traditional gallery-wrapped canvas while inventory lasts. Canvas provides a classic, textured fine-art presentation and is available Ready to Hang or finished in our traditional black floater frame.

AVAILABLE SIZES & FORMATS

• 18" × 12" (45.7 × 30.5 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Ready to Hang or Framed
  
• 30" × 20" (76.2 × 50.8 cm) — Heritage Alloy™ or Gallery-Wrapped Canvas; Framed
  
• Custom sizes may be available upon request
  

READY TO HANG

Every Relic Artwork edition arrives ready for display. 18" × 12" Heritage Alloy™ Ready-to-Hang editions include an installed rear wall-mount bracket, while Gallery-Wrapped Canvas arrives ready to hang without an external frame. Framed editions include installed hanging hardware. No additional framing or mounting is required before display.

RELIC MATERIAL & VARIATION

Unless otherwise stated, the relic included with your artwork is a fragment taken from the larger historical component shown in the reference photos. The size, shape, color, markings, and appearance of each relic may vary based on the original material available. Reference photos are provided to document and illustrate the source of the relic material and may not depict the exact fragment included with your artwork.

ARTIST • HISTORIAN • RELIC CURATOR

Craig Tinder has spent more than two decades creating historically researched artwork that connects collectors with the people, machines, and events that shaped history. His work goes far beyond illustrating an aircraft, ship, or vehicle—the research and historical artifacts behind each piece are an integral part of the artwork.

Craig works with museums, aircraft and vehicle restoration organizations, veterans, historians, collectors, and other historical institutions around the world to locate and document authentic artifacts with meaningful connections to the subjects he depicts. He supplements this physical evidence with extensive research using museum collections, military records, historical photographs, archives, and other primary and secondary sources from around the world.

In his workshop, Craig carefully prepares and incorporates these genuine historical relics into his signed and numbered artwork, preserving their provenance while giving artifacts that might otherwise remain unseen a new way to tell their story.

Meet Craig Tinder →

SHIPPING

Each Relic Artwork edition is individually handcrafted and completed by Craig Tinder. From engraving and assembling the Artifact Dock to preparing the relic, framing the artwork when selected, and completing the final inspection and packaging, every piece is finished specifically for its collector. Please allow additional time for this hands-on process before your artwork ships.

Gift wrapping is available for Relic Artwork, making it ready for presentation upon arrival.

DISPLAY & CARE

All Relic Artwork arrives ready to display. Unframed 18" × 12" editions include a rear wall-mount bracket, while framed editions arrive with hanging hardware installed.

Premium Relic Artwork editions are designed for long-term display. Keep artwork away from prolonged direct sunlight, excessive moisture, and extreme temperature changes. Dust gently with a clean, soft, dry cloth and avoid household cleaners or abrasive materials on the artwork, frame, relic, or Artifact Dock.