Any photos? I'd try for photos of planes in the time and area. I don't have the books but I'm sure there are detailed dates and orders about the red centers and striped rudder. But, there might be exceptions and that's where the photos will tell you the complete story.
I'm just guessing here but I'd say yes on the red centers but no on the stripes.
Were the earlier insignia in 6 positions? Or US ARMY on the lower port side wing?
You could try this photo-
Boeing B-17E Flying Fortress on Flickr - Photo Sharing!
And no serial, censored or not painted?
And, not a photo but-
Also of interest-
I'm pretty sure the B & C would have had 6 position markings
...of course I'm more of a German and Japanese aircraft kind of guy![]()
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