B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2446 "Swamp Ghost"
by Jack Fellows
via International Historical Research Associates

Depicted on the day it force landed: February 23, 1942 Markings Factory applied olive drab was used on the upper surfaces, and gray on the lower surfaces. She bore no nose art or nickname. The standard US Army markings included the tail serial number, '12446', abbreviating the serial number '41-2446' and the US Star with red center that was used until May 15, 1942. The underside of the wing had "U.S. Army" in 48 inch block letters. The rudder was painted with red and white stripes, as it served under US Navy command in Hawaii. Armament In addition to the top turret, tail turret and two waist guns, the bomber had a belly lower Bendix turret. This turret was replaced in later model B-17s with the Sperry 'ball' turret. Although B-17E's did not have any armament in the radio compartment, 41-2446 was modified with a single 50 caliber at that position.  In the nose, a single 30 caliber machine gun was the only forward armament.