Did you guys know that the Memphis Belle was NOT the first 8th AF B-17 to complete 25 missions?
Hell's Angels of the 358th BG was the first, doing so 6 days before the Belle.
For reasons never publicly disclosed (although widely assumed to be related to its name), Hell's Angels was passed over.
After 48 missions, Hell's Angels was finally flown home and did a war bonds tour.
Another side note: Most of the Belle's crew on the last flight did not return home with the bomber as few had the required 25 missions.
My regards,
Widewing