B-17 Memphis Belle (signed by pilot)B 17 Memphis Belle airplane model signed by pilot. The B 17 Flying Fortress "MEMPHIS BELLE" (Serial No. 41 24485) was one of 12,750 B 17's built by the Boeing Aircraft Co. The BELLE was the most famous because she was the first heavy bomber in Hitler's European war theater to complete 25 combat missions and keep her entire crew alive. She flew for 10 months from November 7, 1942 to May 17, 1943. The command generals had set 25 missions as an incentive