Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, March 25th. The auction will begin at 9:30 AM (PDT) / 12:30 PM (EDT) / 4:30 PM (GMT) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, March 26th or Friday, March 27th.

An oversized, 17-foot-long B-17F "Mother and Country" bomber model from Michael Caton-Jones' Memphis Belle. The bomber known as Mother and Country served as the right wingman to the titular Memphis Belle. On the eve of their final mission over Nazi-occupied Europe, the Belle's inexperienced rookie crew mocked Mother and Country for their lack of combat experience. During the mission, co-pilot Luke (Tate Donovan) traded positions with tail gunner Clay (Harry Connick, Jr.), shot down a German ME-109 fighter, and watched helplessly as the enemy aircraft crashed fatally into Mother and Country in one of the film's most tragic moments.

While the film offered a fictionalized account inspired by William Wyler's 1944 documentary Memphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress, it paid tribute to the real-life aircraft and crew that completed 25 successful bombing missions over Europe. Wyler's daughter, Catherine Wyler, co-produced the film alongside David Puttnam.

This fiberglass and wood-framed model was one of the primary miniatures used during the film's dramatic aerial combat sequences. Measuring approximately 12.5 feet from tip to tip with a 17-foot wingspan and a height of 3.5 feet, it represents one of the largest and most detailed aircraft models created for the production. The model features removable wings for transportation and an internal metal pipe armature for reinforcement.

This highly detailed model includes movable propeller blades on all four engines, acrylic windows, and seven machine guns, including functional turret stations. The cockpit and fuselage contain four custom-made 12-inch crew puppets dressed in accurate period flight gear: leather bomber jackets, flight caps, and oxygen masks. Visible positions include a bombardier, top turret gunner, and left waist gunner.

Exterior detailing includes the name Mother and Country painted on the port side beside a Bald Eagle and Stars and Stripes nose art, and authentic squadron markings: "DF - S" for the 324th Bomb Squadron and tail number "25703" hand-painted on the vertical stabilizer. The model shows excellent craftsmanship, right down to details such as panel rivets, oil streaks, and aged paint.

After production wrapped, the model was stored for many years before undergoing sympathetic restoration overseen by veteran U.K. modelmaker Robbie Scott, who was involved in its original fabrication. Restoration efforts, assisted by Steve Onions and Nigel Blake (also part of the original build team), included reattaching gun turrets, engines, and propellers, as well as extensive paint and structural touch-ups to preserve its original appearance and integrity. Despite the restoration, the model retains signs of screen use and age, including cracks, chipped paint, wood splintering, discoloration, and surface grime buildup, all consistent with production use and storage. Dimensions: 216" x 156" x 48" (548.75 cm x 396.25 cm x 122 cm)

Contains electronic and mechanical components; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Special shipping required; see notice in the Buyer's Guide.

Estimate: $12,000 - 24,000