Memphis Belle display

[Dave Homewood]

Has anyone here visited the Memphis Belle display at the Movie World theme park in Australia?

I understnd that they have the actual B-17 fuselage rig used in making the interior scenes of the film, as well as a few models, etc. Is that right?

If you have been there, have you any photos to post please?

[yak2]

Took the kids there about 10 years ago Dave. The B17 is the centrepiece in a film studio. From memory it was mounted on mechanical jacks, and the gun turrets were realistic in operation. Unfortunately the pics I took are R/S.Maybe something on their website. The other excellent display is at the AWM in Canberra. Although not a film set, it is a re-creation of an airbattle over Europe featuring a Lancaster, ME 109 etc , complete with sound and light effects, and worth a visit.

[Dave Homewood]

Movie World don't seem to list the Memphis Belle display among their attractions on their website. Perhaps it has moved on, or been disposed of?

I had wondered if it were a real fuselage they'd used for the film, it looked fairly real in the 'making of' when I saw it. But I guess it was just a mock up.

At Movie World could you actually go into it? Or just view it from behind a rope?

[yak2]

It looked to me as though it was an actual airframe rather than a replica. From memory it had been modified so that cameras could access parts for filming. It was just placed in the centre of a large film studio which was blacked out when we entered. We were seated theatre style, then the show started.
There was a stage show in Melbourne a few years agow which featured a crashed B17 as the set. That was a very accurate replica, but only representing about quarter of the aircraft....the rest was destroyed.
.

[Kereru]

I too have been through that some years ago and I remember the model. I shall dig around and find some photos somewhere in the wardrobe.
There was some sort of tour participation too as they picked out a couple before the tour started to do something which I am having difficulty remembering. I do remember it being very interesting for enthusiasts like us. Will get back with more detail later.

Colin

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks guys. I think my sister went there too, I'll have to ask her.

[flyjoe180]

Dave, I think I found the answer to your query regarding the wherabouts of the 'Memphis Belle' movie prop. Third post down on the forum page there is the answer to its whereabouts now:

Post 3:
I was curious to know if the studio B-17 used for the 1990 "Memphis Belle" movie was really a B-17 or not? The fuselage was recently returned to Warner Broth. after spending the last decade as an attraction at Movie World-Australia.

Post 4:
It was a mock up, very well made i might add, got to see it at Pinewood studios. I have some pictures of it somewhere, but there is a good article in 'After the Battle' magazine number 69.

From the magazine

"The Construction Department under its manager Bill Welch, was the largest department on Memphis Belle with over 40 carpenters, 12 plasterers, 12 painters, 10 riggers and 10 stagehands. The departments crowning glory was the building of a full size replica of a B-17 fuselage to be used for close-ups of the crew inside the aircraft. Not onlt was its accuracy correct, right down to the last rivet, it was also made to come apart in six different places to facilitate various amera angles.

The nose section was farmed out to the Mo Gomme company ay Weybridge which spcialises in the construction of racing car body shells, and whose craftsmenare expert in fabricating in metal.
The final cost of the mock up was £420,000, from conception to completion the mock up took 12 weeks to build."

Post 6:
The Memphis Belle attraction closed in January 2005 and all of the
plane
components were sent back to the Warner Bros. Studios.

If you require any further information please contact me direct on 07
5573 8497.

Kind regards


Guest Services
Warner Bros. Movie World



The Link:
www.aerovintage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=607&sid=71539e59b4ca294f8ab94567dde649ae

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Joe, that covers it all well.

I like your new avatar too!

[flyjoe180]

420,000 quid for a prop is pretty amazing. Re the avatar, it depicts two dolphins leaping out of the water and was part of a stress detection project. The theory is if you can see a cow in the picture then you are in need of a holiday. If not then you are fine, carry on working.