In the mid-1950s AAHS member Warren Bodie with the assistance of Ms. Jennie Reeves (custodian of the Wright Field still photo files), Peter M. Bowers, William T. Larkins and John Sloan compiled an index of the aircraft tail numbers (P-number) for McCook Field (and later Wright Field).  The period covered was 1918 through 1930.  P-numbers were assigned to aircraft used in engineering and research evaluations during this period. Even at this date no one is sure what the “P” represented – plane, project or procurement.  Aviation historians and photograph collectors have long noted these identifier numbers painted on the rudders of various aircraft. The original list was published in Vol. 1, No. 4, of the AAHS Journal (October-December 1956). This information has been updated using a number of published references including significant data provided by Drew Taylor derived directly from the airplane records by month for both engineering divisions at McCook and Wright Fields, and further supplemented by Robert Casari.

The following is an updated listing of the McCook Field P-numbers. It includes additional aircraft that were not in the original listing, as well as information regarding the engines installed (in many cases including their Air Service number).  A notes column has been added that contains additional information about the aircraft.

	P-No.	A.S. No.	Make	Model	Engine	H.P.	Eng. A.S. No.	Notes
	P-1	--	Curtiss	JN-4B	Curtiss OX-5	90	1343	The number “2” on the side of the plane was not its serial number. Transferred to W. Wright, OH 5/16/18.
	P-2	1621	Curtiss	JN-4A	Curtiss OX-5	90	1825	Transferred to W. Wright, OH, 5/6/18.
	P-3	1555	Curtiss	JN-4A	Curtiss OX-5	90		A 1922 McCook list states it had a 100 hp Curtiss OXX-6 engine. Dismantled 10/25/20. In storage 2/1/22. Transferred to W. Wright, OH, sold to Johnson equipped with a 90hp OX-5.
	P-4	12876	Curtiss	JN-4D	Curtiss OX-5	90	29447	It had a JN-4A top wing & modified vertical tail fin. Transferred to W. Wright, OH 5/7/18.
	P-5	1262	Curtiss	JN-4A	Hall Scott A-7a	100	5949	A Curtiss JN-4A modified with A-7a engine & given non-standard JN-4D designation. Shipped Aviation Mechanics Training School, St. Paul, MN 5/17/18.
	P-6	37935	Curtiss	JN-4HT	Wright-Martin A	150	49088	Later had W-M E of 180hp. Wrecked W. Wright, OH by Art Smith 5/9/21 & salvaged there.
	P-7	38011	Curtiss	JN-4HT	Wright-Martin A	150	46831	Later had W-M E of 150 hp. Crashed McCook, OH by Lt. Banks 1/22/19, Survey #1802.
	P-8	2505	L.W.F.	F	Liberty 8	275		Probably condemned 4/5/18. Burned & surveyed at McCook OH 4/16/18.
	P-9	B-503	Vickers	S.E.5a	Hispano-Suiza	150		British s/n. Shipped to British Mission, Washington, DC 4/12/18.
	P-10	2474	Nieuport	17	Le Rhone J	110		French s/n. Also listed w/Le Rhone J of 80hp. Wrecked at McCook, OH, 3/19/18 by Maj. Smith. Surveyed. Engine shipped to Union Switch & Signal Co., Pittsburgh.
	P-11	2473	Nieuport	17	Le Rhone J	110	101032	French s/n. Later, possibly had 80hp LeRhone J. Dismantled 10/25/20. Salvaged 2/9/21, Salvage #138. Still in storage 2/1/22.
	P-12	94074	SPAD	13	Hispano-Suiza	220	7153	French s/n. Dismantled 10/25/20, Shipped to W. Wright (FAID), OH, ST #2361.
	P-13	D-2096-16	Albatros	D-III	Mercedes	160		German s/n. Transferred to Aero Expo, NYC 2/12/19, ST #4983.
	P-14	94077	Wright-Martin	V	Wright-Martin E	180	3162	Earlier had a 150hp W-M model A engine. .Transferred W. Wright, OH for storage 4/30/21, ST #1287. In storage 2/1/22.
	P-15	39954	Curtiss	R-4L	Liberty 12	400	17435	Shipped Langley Field, VA 5/15/18.
	P-16	--	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	17512	Listed in error as s/n 32344; see P-49. Surveyed 11/25/19, also listed as surveyed 4/25/19.
	P-17	C.6058	Aircraft Mfg. Co.	D.H.9	Siddeley Deasley	220	5064	British s/n. Engine removed about June 1918. Unserviceable mid-1919. Transferred W. Wright, OH 4/30/21, ST #1267. In storage 2/1/22.
	P-18	None	Airplane Engineering Dept.	DH-9	Liberty 12	400	17810	Construction begun by Dayton-Wright & completed by AED. Wrecked 6/11/18 near McCook OH., Surveyed 7/10/18, #4590. Fuselage scrapped at McCook late Aug 1918.
	P-19	1527	Curtiss	JN-4D	Hall Scott -7A	100	2353	A Curtiss JN-4D modified with A-7a engine & given non-standard JN-4D designation. Shipped AMTS, St. Paul, MN 5/7/18.
	P-20	39957	Curtiss	R-4L	Liberty 12	400	18212	Flown to Ellington, TX by Lt. Thynnes 2/2/19
	P-21	32071	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400		Wrecked Erie, PA by Lt. Wilcox 1/20/19. Surveyed.
	P-22	19898	Lewis & Vought	VE-7	Wright-Martin A	150	3269	Transferred to W. Wright, OH 10/11/18, ST #3756
	P-23	19897	Lewis & Vought	VE-7	Wright-Martin A	150	3368	Transferred to W. Wright, OH 9/4/18, ST #1441
	P-24	41358	Curtiss	JN-5H	Wright-Martin A	150		Converted to JN-4H in June 1918 with 180hp Wright-Martin E s/n 48734. Wrecked Mt Shelby, OH, by Capt. Fleet 8/18/20. Salvage #3808.
	P-25	C-4312	A V Roe	504J	Gnome	100		British s/n. Eng. listed in error as 160 hp Gnome. Temporarily assigned P-25 for March 1918 trainer competition. Repaired by Dayton-Wright mid-1918 & returned to British War Mission.
	P-26	4355	Thomas-Morse	S-4B	Gnome	100		Engine listed in error as 160 hp Gnome. Transferred to W. Wright Field 4/8/18.
	P-27	39958	Curtiss	R-4L	Liberty 12	400	18193	Flown to Ellington TX 2/5/19. Shipped to Detroit, MI 10/8/1920, ST #417.
	P-28	40045	Airpl. Engrg Dept.	USAC-1	Liberty 12	400		Listed in error as LePere design. Transferred to W. Wright, OH 6/7/18, ST #318.
	P-29	37936	Curtiss	JN-4HT	Wright-Martin I	150	46829	Active 2/1/22. Wrecked by Lt. Fastenau, night flying 4/6/22.
	P-30	A.7206	Airpl. Engrg Dept	USB-1	Wright-Martin H	300		British s/n. Bristol F.2B airframe rebuilt at McCook for Wr-Martin H engine. Surveyed 2/19/19.
	P-31	32083	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	18179	Crashed Selfridge, MI by Lt. Foulk 9/10/19.
	P-32	B.763	Bristol	Scout D	LeRhone	80	34611	Transferred W. Wright, OH 4/30/21, ST #1287. In storage 2/1/22.
	P-33	94075	SPAD	7	Wright-Martin E	180	94761	French s/n 3079. Prob. dismantled 8/1/21. In museum on 2/1/22. Surveyed 1/2/23, ST #321. In museum on 1/1/24.
	P-34	32341	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	28499	Salvaged 4/1/21 (or 4/1/20), #99. Dismantled & in storage 2/1/22.
	P-35	32321	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400		Condemned 10/20/20. Salvaged 10/21/20, #312. To storage 10/25/20. In storage 2/1/22.
	P-36	40026	Airpl. Engrg. Dept	USD-9	Liberty 12	400		Wrecked 7/30/18 near McCook OH. Condemned 7/30/18. Surveyed 8/16/18 #3655.
	P-37	C.949	Airpl. Engrg. Dept	USB-2	Liberty 8	275		British s/n. Transferred to Wright Field 9/16/18. Probably condemned Nov/Dec 1918.
	P-38	N-6298	Nieuport	28	Gnome N	160	55128	Wrecked Dayton, OH by Lt. Meister 5/5/20. Salvaged 5/30/20, #227.
	P-39	19900	Lewis & Vought	VE-7	Wright-Martin A	150	43199	At Packard Co. 1/4/19 to 7/9/21. Wrecked Dayton, OH by Lt. Price 7/19/22, Salvaged #104.
	P-40	40042	Dayton-Wright	USD-9	Liberty 12	400	30402	Burned 11/30/20, surveyed 1/212/21 #538.
	P-41	33766	Ordnance Eng’g. Co.	C	LeRhone	80	34539	In storage 2/1/22. Salvaged #147.
	P-42	C1119	Royal Aircr. Factory	SE-5a	Hispano-Suiza	150		British s/n. Wrecked W. Wright, OH 10/19/18. Surveyed W. Wright, OH, 11/19/18
	P-43	40060	Airpl Engrg Dept	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	17702	In use 2/1/22. Transferred to W. Wright, OH, 9/23/20. Surveyed 8/1/22, #8644.
	P-44	42129	Packard	LUSAC-11	Liberty 12	400	19498	Transferred to W. Wright, OH 10/9/18, Wrecked W. Wright OH, 10/29/18. ST 16.
	P-45	40043	Dayton-Wright	USD-9	Liberty 12	400	5055	Wrecked Rochester, OH by Lt. Wade 12/30/20. Also, caught fire near Cleveland, Lt. Wade (8073-4).
	P-46	19901	Lewis & Vought	VE-7	Wright-Martin A	150	3149	Wrecked W. Wright, OH by Lt. Meister 3/25/20. Surveyed #38.
	P-47	40061	Airpl. Engrg. Div.	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	23629	Shipped Curtiss Corp as production sample 10/29/18, Stricken #3761.
	P-48	33763	Ordnance Engrg. Co	B	Gnome	160	52205	Dismantled 8/1/21. In museum on 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. Surveyed 5/16/24 #4952.
	P-49	32344	Dayton-Wright	DH-4B	Liberty 12	400	31355	Modified from DH-4. Wrecked W. Wright, OH, by Lt. Fairchild 4/4/21. Salvaged.
	P-50	40062	Airpl Engrg Div.	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	19004	Shipped to AEF 11/4/18 for evaluation.
	P-51	40063	Airpl Engrg Div.	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	17700	Shipped to AEF 11/7/18 for evaluation.
	P-52	94078	Austin	SE-5a	Wright-Martin E	180	49008	Former British s/n C.8740. Wrecked Camp Perry by Maj. Ecker 8/12/20.
	P-53	40015	Packard	LUSAC-11	Liberty 12	400	4672	Used 1918-24 for supercharger tests. Active 1/1/24. To Museum 1/29/24. Burned 8/18/31.
	P-54	42138	Packard	LUSAC-11	Liberty 12	400	31005	Wrecked Yellow Springs OH by Lt. Biggs 10/23/20. Surveyed 1/20/21 #273.
	P-55	44556	Standard	E-1	LeRhone	80	94778	Dismantled 9/30/22. To Museum, ST #1013. In Museum on 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. Salvaged Dec. 1925. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
	P-56	31108	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	31966	Wrecked Detroit, MI by Lt. Moriarty 4/24/20. Salvaged #216.
	P-56	31108	Dayton-Wright	Bluebird	Liberty 12	400	31966	Wrecked Detroit, MI by Lt. Moriarty 4/24/20. Salvaged #216.
	P-57	39349	Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd.	JN-4Can	Curtiss OX-5	80		Transferred W. Wright, OH 5/22-23/21. #2361. In Museum on 2/1/22.
	P-58	19899	Lewis & Vought	VE-7	Wright-Martin E	180	48665	Earlier had a 150-hp Wr-Martin A. At W. Wright on 2/1/22. Transferred 11/13/22 to Wilbur Wright Field for overhaul. Sold to Johnson.
	P-59	40121	Loening	M-8	Wright-Martin H	300	13465	In Museum 2/1/22. Dismantled 9/30/22. In Museum 1/1/24. Engine removed 8/27/24. To salvage 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333.
	P-60	40119	Airpl. Engrg. Div.	USD-9AB	Liberty 12	400	37545	Wrecked Toledo, OH by Lt. Macready 7/3/19.
	P-61	94030	Aircraft Mfg. Co.	DH-9A	Liberty 12	400	30953	Former British s/n E.8449. In Museum 2/1/22 and 1/1/24. Surveyed 4/14/24.
	P-62	40070	Fisher Body	Caproni Ca.5	3 x Liberty 12	400 400 400	20746 20732 20769	Removed from storage at W. Wright OH 5/9/21. Flown 6/4/21 to Langley, VA, for Project B, bombing of battleships, but not used. Survey #1672.
	P-63	44219	Curtiss	JN-6HG-2	Wright-Martin A	150		Later had 150-hp Wr-Martin I. Wrecked Lexington, KY, by Lt. Miller 5/15/19. Surveyed 10/30/19, #130.
	P-64	40044	Airpl. Engrg. Div.	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	31110	In museum on 2/1/22 and 1/1/24. Surveyed 1924, #4951. Fuselage in crash test at W. Wright.
	P-65	40012	Packard	LUSAO-11	2 x Liberty 12	400 400	22817 22830	Surveyed 3/19/20, #132; dismantled. In museum on 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. Salvaged Dec. 1925, #99.
	P-66	40093	Thomas-Morse	MB-3	Wright-Martin H	300		Transferred to FAID Wright, OH 5/17/21, #2361. Used to rebuild MB-3 P-121.
	P-67	40108	Ord. Engrg. Co.	D	Wright-Martin H	300	13443	Dismantled, to storage 10/24/20. In Museum on 2/1/22, 9/30/22, and 1/1/24. ST #1013.
	P-68	40087	Pomilio	BVL-12	Liberty 12	400	5361	Dismantled, Surveyed 3/19/20. Salvage #99.
	P-69	40081	Pomilio	FVL-8	Liberty 8	275	94785	In Museum on 2/1/22, 9/30/22, &1/1/24. Dismantled 9/30/22. ST #1013. Burned 8/18/31.
	P-70	40115	Packard	LUSAC-11	Liberty 12	400	37657	Active on 2/1/22. In storage, held no test, 1/1/24. Flown to Selfridge, MI 5/19/24 by Lt. Brookley, ST #8526.
	P-71	40067	Dayton-Wright	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	4537	Flown to Bolling, Wash., D.C. 6/1/19. Returned to McCook OH 2/12/24. Transferred to FAID, Wright, OH, 5/24/24, ST #8388.
	P-72	39057	G. L. Martin	GMB	2 x Liberty 12	400 400	71615 71568	Active on 2/1/22. Transferred to Wright, OH 6/15/22, ST #7955.
	P-73	19902	Lewis & Vought	VE-7	Wright-Martin A	150	3426	Shipped Carlstrom, FL, 11/3/20. ST #7222.
	P-74	40068	Dayton-Wright	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	6171x	Active on 2/1/22. Wrecked near Selfridge, MI by Lt. Nelson. At FAID, Wright OH 9/21/23 awaiting disposition. I & I Report #4551 11/5/23. Awaiting salvage 1/1/24 with eng. s/n 38628.
	P-75	94072	Sopwith	Salamander	Bentley BR-2	200	94072	Former British s/n F.6533. In museum on 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. To salvage 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333
	P-76	23432	Dayton-Wright	DH-4 Honeymoon Expre	Liberty 12	400	40127	Fisher-built DH-4 modified by Dayton-Wright.. Flown to Washington, DC by Lt. McCready 7/18/19.
	P-77	62945	Dayton-Wright	DH-4L	Liberty 12	400	23423	Long distance racer. Shipped Hazelhurst NY, 6/3/19.
	P-78	30130	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	1596	Flown to Washington, DC by Capt. White 4/18/19. Gen. Kenly’s plane.
	P-79	62946	Dayton-Wright	DH-4L	Liberty 12	400		Long Distance racer. Wrecked Ft Wayne, IN, by Lt. Morse 7/4/20. Survey #185.
	P-80	40118	Airpl. Engrg. Div.	USD-9A	Liberty 12	400	28813	Pressurized cabin installed 1921. Active 2/1/22, assigned to Power Plant.. In museum 1/1/24. Engine removed 8/28/24. To salvage 10/6/26. Surveyed 3/18/27, #24344.
	P-81	30894	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	31241	Shipped Langley VA 8/22/19, ST#5566.
	P-82	30723	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	32103	Cooling test #214. Shipped Kelly, TX 6/4/20, ST #6335.
	P-83	40057	Metal Products Co.	Stout SX-6	Wright-Martin A	150		The “Cootie” monoplane. Received 4/5/19. Shipped to Lewis & Vought Corp 6/17/19.
	P-84	40071	Fisher Body	Caproni Ca.5	3 x Liberty 12	400 400 400	22966 22855 22972	Flown to Ellington, TX 6/23/19, ST #5336. Used there to train bomber crewmen.
	P-85	40128	Dayton-Wright	DH-4 Honeymoon Expre	Liberty 12	400	29759	Wrecked Circleville IN by Lt. Von Veghten 1/19/23, Surveyed #338.
	P-86	40058	Curtiss	18-B	Kirkham K-12	375	None	Wrecked McCook Field 7/14/19 killing Capt, W. F. Jones and George Buzane. Surveyed #65
	P-87	62949	G. L. Martin	GMT	2 x Liberty 12	400 400	32207 31118	Flown to Hazel Field, NY 7/23/19 by Capt. Francis.
	P-88	39056	G. L. Martin	GMB	2 x Liberty 12	400 400	38271 44184	Shipped Bolling, MD 6/29/19, ST #5442. Made Around the Rim flight 7/24/19-11/19/19. Wrecked Aberdeen, Md., 5/31/21 by bomb explosion.
	P-89	40021	Packard	LUSAGH-11	Liberty 12	400	32209	Active 2/1/22. In Museum 9/30/22 and 1/1/24. Engine removed 2/29/24. To salvage 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/20/26 #24333.
	P-90	40125	Airpl. Engrg. Div.	XB-1A	Wright-Martin H	300	13903	Active on 2/1/22. I & I Report 8/17/23 #5434. Salvaged 8/17/23.
	P-91	30727	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	32099	Wrecked Dayton, OH, 8/20/19 near Dayton OH by Lt. Stone.
	P-92	30590	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	31881	Shipped Kelly, TX 6/4-5/20, ST #6335.
	P-93	30855	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Wright-Martin H	300	13867	Wrecked by Lt. Meister 12/20/21, Survey 1/12/22 #611.
	P-94	30913	Dayton-Wright	DH-4	Liberty 12	400	38231	Shipped Langley, VA 10/23/19.
	P-95	40024	Packard	LUSAC-21	Bugatti	400	40675	Out of service in late 1919. Transferred to W. Wright, OH 9/23/19, ST #1267.
	P-96	42119	Fisher Body	Caproni Ca.5	3 x Liberty 12	400 400 400	77843 77845 77644	Received 7/6/18. Flown to Ellington, TX by Lt. Harris 7/18/19. ST#5468.
	P-97	40126	Airpl. Engrg. Div.	Verville-Clark VCP-1	Packard 2025	630	94559	Originally had 300-hp Wr-Martin H. Modified to VCPR & R-1 racer w/2025 engine. Won Pulitzer Race 1920 & placed 6th in 1922. Active on 2/1/22. In Museum 1/31/23; in storage (?) on 1/1/24. Instruments being removed 4/20/25 at McCook OH.
	P-98	40072	Airpl. Engrg. Div.	Vought VE-7	Wright-Martin A	150	48932	Assembled from Springfield manufactured parts. Later had 180 hp Wright-Martin E. Wrecked Community Country Club, Dayton, OH, 5/4/21. J.G. Ware and Mr. Pendleton died. Survey #1672
	P-99	94069	Sopwith	Camel	Clerget-Blin	130	52614	Crashed McCook, OH, Sgt. Maden killed 10/4/20. Survey #268 (#258?).
	P-100	47816	Curtiss	JN-4D-2	Curtiss OX-5	90	7500	In Museum 2/1/22 and 1/1/24. To salvage 4/15/24. Survey #4952, 5/16/24.

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References

• “McCook Field P-Numbers,” AAHS Journal, Vol. 1, No. 4, 1956, pp. 147-157.
• Aerofiles.com, Aircraft A-Z.
• “1908-1921 USAAS Serial Numbers” and “1922-1929 USAAS Serial Numbers,” JoeBaugher.com.
• “McCook Field – Airplane Records, February 1, 1922,” Skyways, No. 3, July 1987, pp. 14-23.
• “McCook Field P-Numbers, Part II,” Skyways, No. 5, January 1988, pp. 45-51.
• Unpublished data from Drew Taylor derived from the McCook Field aircraft record cards.
• Unpublished data from Robert Casari derived from the McCook Field aircraft record cards.