This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
Wed Sep 04, 2013 1:48 am
Anyone run across definitive information on Aircraft Project Numbers assigned to A/C going overseas ?
By this I mean actual directives explaining their usage, meaning, etc.
Lots of educated guesses, some probably correct, but I would like to get some first-hand information, either from the source, or from a well sourced book.
As most probably know, these numbers were stenciled in the data block section of aircraft assigned to go overseas, although you can find pics of A/C, especially B-17's, with a Project Number stenciled on the nose section.
What section of ATC assigned the numbers ?
When were they assigned and applied ? Production-line, at Mod Centers, at staging fields just before crews picked them up to fly overseas ? I've heard all three of these from different sources.
Do the numbers have a code , such as " Project No. 92XXX-R mean this batch of A/C are to go to ETO/England ... or to certain Wings/Groups, etc ? I've heard guesses that different Theaters, Depots, Wings, Group destinations, etc, were coded by the numbers.
One unverified answer is that original Groups sent overseas had a Project Number assigned, and then A/C sent as replacements for combat/operational losses had the same PN with the " R " suffix.
Then again, I've heard a Theater or numbered Air Force would make a request for a certain number of A/C to replace losses, and when approved, that number of A/C being assembled or undergoing mods were assigned a Project Number to fill that request. What is the true story ?
Were different type aircraft assigned the same Project Number ? By that I mean, if say the 8th AF. or ETO, sent a request for 45 B-17's, 50 B-24's, 30 P-51's to replace losses for a certain time period, would all these various type A/C be assigned the same Project Number, seeing as they were all going to the 8th AF, or ETO, or Depot in England, or were differing types assigned different numbers ?
Does the " R " suffix denote replacement aircraft ? Other suffixes ?
Like I said, lots of questions come up, and lots of unverified answers, so I'd like to find out officially the word on these.