The 'Memphis Belle' over 'The Black Swan'' ? Three planes flying over the East of England countryside with 'The Black Swan' pub seen at the bottom right. With 'Memphis Belle' in the painting are K-DF Hells Angel and H-VK Werewolf. ? The 'Memphis Belle' was a B17 'Flying Fortress' manufactured by Boeing. 'The Memphis Belle', first 8th American Air Force plane whose intact crew completed its full quota of 25 combat missions in June 1943. Although the crew accumulated 51 decorations, the only Purple Heart (for a wound) was awarded to the tail gunner, John P. Quinlan, for what he described as a 'pin scratch' on his leg. 'The Memphis Belle' and crew was then returned to the States on a morale-building tour selling U.S. War Bonds.