Ok, here is what I found out about the next project that I am going to hopefully do.
It was a B-17E 41-9043, GD*A-1, 534BS, 381BG. I found out that it was used as an assembly bird and called Little Rock-ette. As such, she would not have been armed, but is there any reference to the painting of the red stripes and the placement of the 12 floodlamps. Plese see the following from the history.
Another never to be forgotten ship was the target ship stationed at our field - the B-17E - 41-9043 (534th GD-A1 LITTLE ROCKETTE, after formerly being PEGGY D originally with 97th BG). It was desired to make an assembly and weather ship out of it; so the work of modifying it was started by the Depot Fabric Shop.
All they had to do was remove all the paints from the ship and paint fancy red stripes here and there on it. They did a very good job though and broke the ice for other depts who had to: 1 manufacture and install 12 floodlights to illuminate the ship while in flight; 2 Change engines and props; 3 Put a floor in the bomb bay; 4 Relocate oxygen system under floor in bomb bay; 5 Install two additional seats behind pilot and co-pilot’s seats and, 6 Install 56" wheels and accompanying equipment.
Oh yeah, 56" wheels??? Are these different? Larger?
I did find a picture of her as Little Rock-ette, but it showed the “nose” art painted on the hump behind the pilot and over the radio room/bomb bay area.
http://www.381st.org/noseart/littlerockette.jpg
This gives me an idea of the first stripe.
Thanks in advance,
Kurt