B-52 registrations

[cja]

Hi,

I am far form being an expert on military registrations and would appreciate an explanation of the correct format for a B52. I have a picture of a tail which shows the reg to be 60003 but when I view other photos of the same ship the aircraft is listed as 60-0003. This seems to be the same for all B52s so is the six digit format correct despite the fact that the reg painted on the tail is only five digits?

Thanks

[YYZPICS]

Im 95% sure that all USAF a/c have the standard 6 digit reg. 60-0003 is correct.

Serial	Code	Type	CN	Unit	Status	First	Last	Comment
60-0003	BD	B-52H-BW	464368	93rd BS	act	apr95	may05	AFRC grey, 'Master Blaster'

Also use scramble.nl

[JordanD]

For some reason the USAF leaves out the first number. I have no idea why.

[YYZPICS]

For some reason the USAF leaves out the first number. I have no idea why.

Which first number are you refering to Jordan?

[JordanD]

Like on an F-15 for example the numbers on the tail will be something like 75-026 when the real number is like 75-0026. Kinda like that. Or on something like a B-52 where it reads 7798, when the full reg is something like 79-7798. I hope that made sense.

[YYZPICS]

Yea not to sure why they do that, maybe a little google and we will find out.

[cja]

Yea not to sure why they do that, maybe a little google and we will find out.

I did a big google before posting this thread but couldnt find the answer!

To further illustrate the point here are two photos of the same aircraft taken on the same day.


[photoid=5817656]

[photoid=5815342]

[kukkudrill]

I did a big google before posting this thread but couldnt find the answer!

That's because you didn't google Joe Baugher

He's got a very good explanation of the system on his website plus a very comprehensive listing of USAF serials:

http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html

[cja]

That's because you didn't google Joe Baugher

Many thanks for that and after reading this I guess that the official answer is that it should be a 6 digit code although this is not reflected in the markings on the tail!

All those exceptions to the rule listed on this website make it a less than strightforward system. It sounds more like something that would be dreamt up in Brussels rather than the USA!

Thanks to all who replied, I will amend my photo accordingly.

This has just been taken form the above Web site for anyone interested.

"60-0001/0013 Boeing B-52H-135-BW Stratofortress c/n 464366/464378
0003 tail is sitting in a scrap metal bin at Tinker AFB. The nose section is on display at the Hangar 25 Museum, Big Spring, TX. However, this plane was seen at an airshow in Scotland Sept 2001, in 93rd BS markings."