This is a Gibson Explorer from the 1980’s. It was custom painted from all the details of the famous WWII Memphis Belle B-17 Bomber which was the first plane to fly 25 missions in daylight bombing. Col Robert Morgan was the pilot of the Memphis Belle B-17F Bomber. For this, the Air Force stated after completing 25 missions you can go home. Even after the 25 missions, Col Robert Morgan later flew more missions. The bomber flew 25 successful combat missions over France and Germany between 1942 and 1943, the first plane to take on such a large number of operations and return with its crew. All those that did not make it are Heroes too! But by having a 25 mission goal, it gave hope to those fighting. The name Memphis Belle was inspired by pilot Robert K. Morgan’s sweetheart, Memphis native Margaret Polk. Being the First Flying Fortress Bomber to complete 25 missions in the Second World War inspired the making of a 1944 documentary film about the Memphis Belle and a Memphis Belle movie. The Memphis Belle B17 bomber is now the official airplane of Tennessee. The plane is currently being restored again and will go on display in the Air Force museum in 2018. I got in touch with Col. Morgan back in the late 90s and asked if I had a guitar custom painted would he sign it? I met Col Robert Morgan in North Carolina at his work office. He signed my guitar and the green guitar strap, It was an honor to meet him and have him sign my guitar. He said he never signed a guitar before. In 2004 I heard he was stepping out of a plane and stumbled and fell and went to the hospital. While in the hospital he got pneumonia and died. Rest In Peace War Heroes – Col Robert Knight Morgan (July 31, 1918 May 15, 2004) and Crew of the Memphis Belle B-17 bomber!!! I have not seen another guitar painted up historically like this and signed by a WWII hero. This is a high quality guitar with pure Art and History signed by the Pilot himself. It is a one of a kind acknowledging all those bombers who fought in WWII for our freedom. I really dont want to sell this Memphis Belle Gibson guitar. It plays and sounds great although I dont think it has one hour of playing time on it since it was painted and signed. It only has one very little scratch on the bottom of the guitar near where the cord plugs in. It is shown in the picture. Other than that it is mint condition. The guitar has a Gibson tremolo like the Kahler style. The guitar comes with an old Gibson explorer case, a green guitar strap signed by Col Robert Morgan and a copy of the patches that they wore on their bomber jackets. The item “Gibson Guitar WWII Memphis Belle B-17 bomber signed by Col Robert Morgan pilot” is in sale since Monday, May 1, 2017. This item is in the category “Musical Instruments & Gear\Guitars & Basses\Electric Guitars”. The seller is “radx” and is located in Summerville, Georgia. This item can be shipped to United States.
- Brand: Gibson
- Model: Explorer
- Body Type: Solid
- Body Color: Custom painted