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AAF (AAC) prototypes still carried the year/serial convention, same as accepted production aircraft.
For example, Lockheed's XP-58 carried 12670 (41-12670) on the tail, Beech's XA-38 carried 314406 (43-14406) in the tail, etc.
The serial numbers were assigned in blocks and an X or Y type would be given a serial in between other type's serial numbers and later, if the prototype was accepted, would then be assigned a production block of it's own.
Hi Oldgeezer,
I wrote this a while back, but I think it answers your question:
This is going to have to be the short version of this story. The serial-number-based radio call numbers were introduced by the Chief of the Air Corps on 28 November 1939 in Circular 100-4 (released by none other than LtCol Ira C. Eaker). This radio call number would be ordered applied as a tail marking on 28 October 1941, though it took some time to apply.
Each aircraft's serial number comprised the last two digits of the fiscal year in which the aircraft was ORDERED and an individual, sequential serial. Since most aircraft didn't last more than ten years (more below) the first digit would be dropped. The radio call had to comprise four digits, so that ground stations hearing only three digits would understand that the transmission had broken up. If the radio call was only two or three digits, zeros were to be inserted to make four digits. Thus 38-3 became 8003 and 39-24 became 9024.
The first problem was that Circular 100-4 did not understand the nature of the FY serial number, insisting that the first two digits represented "the year in which the airplane was manufactured." An aircraft manufactured in 1937, but not ordered by the Army until FY 1938 would be a problem, as would an aircraft ordered in FY 1940 but not delivered until 1941. You'll find a heap of errors on the tails of various aircraft, but the mistake came from painters following faulty instructions.
I noted that most aircraft would serve less than ten years, but some lasted much longer. In those cases, the radio call was to be preceded by the letter "O" (not another zero). Thus, serial 25-326 was to be identified as O-5326 "Oh-Five-Three-Two-Six" after 1934.
Note that some manufacturers would occassionally omit digits from longer serials so the radio call number would not exceed four digits.
This is just a basic over view - this subject could easily be covered by a short monograph one day...
Cheers,
Dana
Hi Oldgeezer,
I wrote this a while back, but I think it answers your question:
The radio call had to comprise four digits, so that ground stations hearing only three digits would understand that the transmission had broken up. If the radio call was only two or three digits, zeros were to be inserted to make four digits. Thus 38-3 became 8003 and 39-24 became 9024.
One thing I noticed in a cockpit photo of the XP-67 is that its radio call is shown as the full serial number, "42-11677" rather than a 4-digit one.
View attachment 618617
Not sure what I am doing wrong but I can no longer access this through the aerofiles web page. I know that it changed hands after Joe died. Any help with how to get at this?
I have no trouble accessing Joe's site via the links posted above or by going to the main serial number index:Not sure what I am doing wrong but I can no longer access this through the aerofiles web page. I know that it changed hands after Joe died. Any help with how to get at this?
Me too. Answered the e mails i sent him though. Think that database was maintaned by another guy.I didn't know Baugher had passed. RIP.
Over the years I passed Joe more than 100 corrections based on MACR and accident reports that he never incorporated.. Never understood why.
Thanks for that link I could not access from the main pageI have no trouble accessing Joe's site via the links posted above or by going to the main serial number index:
USASC-USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Military Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to Present
You're welcome.Thanks for that link I could not access from the main page
thanks, added these to my favorites. I don't need them often, but VERY handy when I do. Just doing a bit of research on a Missouri Guard L-19 image that is on display just outside Jefferson City. L-19 over flooded farm fields and no info on it, not even year. Now I know it was from the 129th Field Artillery and had to be 1952 as that was the only flood year before it crashed in 1954. Now to the library to see what I can come up with.You're welcome.
Not sure why you're having difficulties, but then again, the internet can be a pain the the...
Anyway, just in case you need them, here's Joe's USN/USMC BuNo page:
US Navy and US Marine Corps Military Aircraft Serial Numbers and Bureau Numbers--1911 to Present
And his USCG BuNo page:
US Coast Guard Aircraft Serials