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USAAS McCook Field P-Numbers 1919-1930

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-101 40109 Ordnance Engrg. Co D Wright-Martin H 300 13657 Shipped to Curtiss Engrg. Co. 6/22/20, ST #6435.
P-102 30632 Dayton-Wright DH-4 Liberty 12 400 31487 Shipped Langley Field, VA 11/1/19. St #5763.
P-103 41795 Curtiss JN-6HB Wright-Martin I 150 95886 Originally had 150-hp Wright-Martin A. Shipped to Aeromarine Plane & Motor Co.; returned 1/17/22. Active on 2/1/22. Surveyed 5/2/23, #347
P-105 39059 G. L. Martin GMB Liberyt 12 Wright E Wright E 400 44182 49018 47428 Originally had 2 Liberties. About 1921, was modified to 1 Liberty in nose and 2 Wright Es between wings. Active on 2/1/22. Wrecked near McCook OH 6/23/22 by Lt. Meister. Surveyed 9/2/22 #8673.
P-105 30846 Dayton-Wright DH-4M-2 Liberty 12 400 31155 Modified by Dayton-Wright to DH-4M-2. Shipped to Kelly, TX 6/4/20, ST #6336.
P-106 62950 G. L. Martin GMC 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 23631 21895 Cannon in nose cockpit. Active on 2/2/22. Transferred to FAID, OH, 3/30/23, ST# 3163.
P-107 62947 Dayton-Wright DH-4L Liberty 12 400 31112 Modified to DH-4M-2S. Wrecked McCook Field, OH by Lt. Biggs, 6/25/20, Survey #185.
P-108 D.7776 /18 Fokker D.VII Mercedes 6 200 45146 German s/n. Wrecked McCook, OH, 4/22/20 by Lt. Redman. Dismantled. Also reported as Shipped to Washington, DC 10/3/20.
P-109 23075 Fisher Body DH-4 Liberty 12 400 37573 Modified by Boeing to DH-4M-2. Wrecked Leesburg, VA, by Lt. Harris. Salvaged at Bolling, VA. Surveyed 11/25/21, #3370.
P-110 62951 G. L. Martin GMP 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 20769 17852 Active on 2/23/21, 8/10/21, and 2/1/22. Forced landing on Miller Street and Heigeman Avenue in Brooklyn, NY 3/4/22 by Maj. Bradley, Lt. Smith killed.
P-111 45010 Curtiss JN-6HG-1 Wright-Martin I 150 48796 Radio Branch on 2/1/22. Later had 180-hp Wr-Martin E engine. Salvaged 5/31/23. Salvaged I & I Report #4508 6/4/23.
P-112 44941 Curtiss JN-6HG-1 Wright-Martin I 150 48796 Crashed near Cincinnati OH, by Lt. Neidermeyer. Transferred to FAID 8/30/21 & salvaged there. ST #4354.
P-113 40073 Airpl. Engrg. Div. VE-7 Wright-Martin E 180 46882 Assembled from Springfield mfd. Parts. Active 11/20/19 & 2/1/22. Wrecked near W. Wright, OH, on 8/10/22 by Maj. Kerby. Surveyed 8/12/j22, #8744.
P-114 44944 Curtiss JN-6HG-1 Wright-Martin E 150 46918 Originally had 150-hp Wr-Martin I. Active on 2/1/22, 1/1/24, & 4/21/24 (21275). Shipped FAID, Fairfield, OH 10/17/24, ST #4354.
P-115 44934 Curtiss JN-6HG-1 Wright-Martin I 150 47205 Wrecked Columbus, OH, 5/8/20 by Lt. Morse. Salvaged #232.
P-116 44913 Curtiss JN-6HG-1 Packard 1A-744 275 94552 Originally had 150-hp Wright-Martin engine. Transferred W Wright Field 10/13/21, ST #4648.
P-117 44936 Curtiss JN-6HG-1 Wright-Martin I 150 48767 Transferred to Wilbur Wright Field, 5/7/20, ST #6248.
P-118 94022 Harland & Wolffe Avro 504J Gnome 100 31415 British s/n C.5886. Wrecked McCook OH 8/11/20 by Capt. Inglis. Salvaged, #271.
P-119 C-5887 Harland & Wolffe Avro 504K LeRhone 80 British s/n. Transferred to Wilbur Wright Field. Parts used there to assemble P-118.
P-120 40110 Ordnance Engrg. Co D Wright-Martin H 300 13565 Wrecked Mitchel, NY, 11/25/20 by Lt. Kelly in Pulitzer race. Surveyed 3/25/21, #537.
P-121 40095 Thomas-Morse MB-3 Wright-Martin H 300 13629 In Museum on 2/1/22, 9/30/22, and 1/1/24. To salvage 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333.
P-122 30855 Airplane Engrg. Div. DH-4 Wright-Martin 300 Engine changed by A.E.D. In Museum. Transferred to W. Wright, OH, 8/1/21. Salvaged, #129.
P-123 62948 Dayton-Wright DH-4L Liberty 12 400 22519 Wrecked at Keyser, WV Oct 3, 1921, by Lt. Macready. Surveyed 12/13/21, #5239.
P-124 40094 Thomas-Morse MB-3 Wright-Martin H 300 13442 Shipped Th. Morse Co. In 1920 Pulitzer race. Sent to FAID. Surveyed 8/30/22, #9825.
P-125 22856 Fisher Body DH-4 Liberty 12 400 17793 Shipped Langley, VA, 11/28/19, ST #5830.
P-126 23369 Fisher Body DH-4 Liberty 12 400 44180 Transferred to Wilbur Wright Field, 7/12/21, ST #2956.
P-127 94040 Fokker D.VII Liberty 6 220 47841 German s/n D.8323. Re-engined by A.E.D.. Wrecked in Miami River, McCook, OH, ca 5/4/20 by Capt. Snow.. Salvaged #224.
P-128 12186 SPAD 16 Loraine-Dietrich 200 94780 French s/n. To Museum 8/1/21, ST #1013. In Museum on 2/1/22 and 1/1/24. Salvaged 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333.
P-129 63272 Boeing GAX 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 25718, 33078 Shipped to W. Wright, OH. In storage 2/1/22. Shipped Kelly, TX.
P-130 63278 Engineering Div. DH-4Amb Liberty 12 400 5170 Converted By Engrg. Div. Shipped 6/7/20, ST #7217. Flown to Bolling, MD, 9/8/20.
P-131 63413 Boeing DH-4B Liberty 12 400 26281 Atlantic DH-4 converted to DH-4B by Boeing. Supercharger. Surveyed 1922, #8752.
P-132 94063 Roland D-VI-B Benz 200 29167 Perf. test #132. German s/n D.7502. Burned on ground 9/8/20. Survey #253.
P-133 63697 Aeromarine-Atlantic DH-4B Wright-Martin H 300 13901 DH-4 converted to DH-4B by Aeromarine Atlantic. Converted to DH-4BW fitted with Wright H engine. Salvage #1924. Surveyed 4/25/22.
P-134 63266 Lewis & Vought VE-8 Wright-Martin H 300 13458 In Museum on 2/1/22 and 1/1/24. Engine removed 8/27/24. To Salvage Dec 1925, ST #1013. Surveyed 1/14/26., #17056.
P-135 63279 Packard DH-4C Packard 1A-1237 300
P-135 63279 Packard DH-4C Liberty 12 400 23635 A DH-4B modified 5/21 by Packard as test bed for its 1A-1237 engine & re-designated DH-4C. Crashed with that engine at Moundsville WV by Lt. Wade 8/31/21. (also listed as wrecked in White Mts., NH, by Wade). McCook Airplane Record for 2/1/22 lists it as a DH-4C with Liberty s/n 23635, possibly its original engine.
P-136 63280 ? (See note) DH-4C Packard 1A-1237 300 Wrecked W. Wright OH by Lt. Sloan 6/19/20 with a Packard 1A-1237 engine. Active on 2/1/22 in Parachute Branch 2/22 with Liberty 31098. Surveyed with Packard A-1237 on 1/5/25, #10945. Packard records indicate it built only one DH-4C.
P-136 63280 ? (See note) DH-4C Liberty 12 400 31098 Wrecked W. Wright OH by Lt. Sloan 6/19/20 with a Packard 1A-1237 engine. Active on 2/1/22 in Parachute Branch 2/22 with Liberty 31098. Surveyed with Packard A-1237 on 1/5/25, #10945. Packard records indicate it built only one DH-4C.
P-137 63600 Atlantic DH-4B Liberty 12 400 94783 Active on 2/1/22. Salvage I & I Report 6/6/23, #4509.
P-138 94039 Fokker D.VII Mercedes 6 200 94891 Active 2/1/22. Wrecked 1922. Surveyed 9/25/22, #302.
P-139 63639 Atlantic DH-4B Liberty 12 400 21952 Revised to DH-4M-2. Modified for high altitude operations with lengthened undercarriage and supercharged Liberty engine driving 4-bladed prop. Active 2/22. In wood shop 1/1/24. Active 3/13/24 (20904) & 5/1/25.
P-140 63541 Atlantic DH-4B Liberty 12 400 30775 Mod. To DH-4M-2. Transferred to Wilbur Wright Field 9/9/21, ST #4476.
P-141 94023 Avro 504(J?) Gnome 100 Also had LeRhone eng. Wrecked W. Wright, OH. Surveyed 10/25/20, #268.
P-142 94062 Graham-White 504K Gnome 100 7980 British s/n D.9062. Wrecked Warren, OH, before 2/1/22. Salvaged #145.
P-143 94103 Fokker D.VII BMW 200 94984 Active 2/1/22. Transferred to W. Wright, OH, 2/27/22, ST #7421. Also trans. to W. Wright OH 2/7/23. Crashed.
P-144 94102 Fokker D.VII Packard 1A-1116 300 94556 Wrecked Buffalo, N.Y. 1922. Surveyed 9/2/22. Salvaged, #540.
P-145 64122 Junkers Larsen JL-6 BMW 220 94983 In McCook, OH, Assembly Bldg. 2/1/22. Salvaged I & I Report 11/5/23, #4522.
P-146 94094 Austin Motor Co. SE-5a Wright-Martin E 180 47267 British s/n C.9081. Transferred to FAID, OH, 4/5/21, ST #8014. Wrecked McCook Field about 1/26/21 by Maj. Gearhart.
P-147 63273 Ordnance Engrg. Co IL-1 Liberty 400 Sand tested. Salvaged #148.
P-148 94097 Breguet 14B2 Liberty 12 400 5184 Transferred to McCook, OH, 3/20/20. Museum #174.24. In Museum 2/1/22. Active on 9/27/23 (19104) & 1/1/24. Transferred to FAID, OH, 6/8/24, ST #8525.
P-149 94016 Sopwith Snipe ABC Dragonfly I 320 92199 In Museum on 2/1/22 and 1/1/24. Engine removed. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-150 94107 Engineering Division XB-1A Wright-Martin H 300 13721 Transferred Oct. 1920 to Dayton-Wright as production model; returned. Transferred to FAID, OH, 2/24/22, ST #6668.
P-151 94108 Engineering Division XB-1A Wright-Martin H 300 13754 In Museum on 9/6/21, 2/1/22, and 1/1/24. To Salvage 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333.
P-152 64224 Sperry M-1 Messenger Lawrance L-4 60 94569 A Standard E-1converted by Sperry to an aerial torpedo. In Museum on 2/1/22, 9/30/22, and 1/1/24. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333.
P-153 94098 Nieuport 27 LeRhone 110 94775 Listed as both active and in Museum on 2/1/22. Active 1/1/24. Transferred to Museum 11/11/24, ST #8833. Instruments being removed 4/30/25.
P-154 94101 SPAD 13 Hispano-Suiza 220 94888 In Museum on 2/1/22. Waiting overhaul 1/1/24. Parts used for P-282. Surveyed 1/14/24, #17056. To Salvage Dec. 1925.
P-155 94100 Nieuport 28 Gnome 160 94743 Active 2/1/22. In Museum on 1/1/24. Surveyed 1/14/24, #17056. Engine removed 4/20/25 for museum display.
P-156 94099 SPAD 7 Wright-Martin E 180 17434 In Museum on 2/1/22, 9/30/22, and 1/1/24. Engine removed 8/27/24. Shipped to Museum of Science & Industry, Chicago, IL. 1/16/32, ST #1013.
P-157 63747 Atlantic DH-4B Liberty 12 400 On 2/1/22 it had no motor. Transferred to FAID, OH 7/8/21, ST #2806.
P-158 63719 Atlantic DH-4B Liberty 12 400 On 2/1/22 it had no motor. Transferred to FAID, OH 7/8/21, ST #2806.
P-159 94110 Salmson 2 A2 Salmson 9Za 250 94855 In Museum on 2/1/22, 9/30/22, and 1/1/24. Engine removed 8/18/31. Burned at McCook, OH, 8/19/31.
P-160 22909 Boeing DH-4B Liberty 12 400 28501 Had no engine on 2/1/22. Flown Bolling MD, ST #2427, returned. Shipped to FAID, OH for crash test.
P-161 63282 Curtiss Orenco D Wright-Martin H 300 13884 Active 2/1/22. “C” supercharger installed. Wrecked. Surveyed 5/3/22.
P-162 64195 G. L. Martin MB-2 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 71622 71659 Active on 2/1/22. Supercharger installed. Transferred to Aberdeen Proving Ground, 12/13/23, ST #5555.
P-163 63281 Curtiss Orenco D Wright-Martin H 300 13812 Active 9/29/21 (10647). Listed as both active and in Museum on 2/1/22. To Salvage 10/6/26. Surveyed 3/18/27, #24344.
P-164 63332 Thomas-Morse MB-3 Wright-Martin H 300 13516 To Boeing Co. 6/16/21. Boeing converted it to MB-3A s/n 68586 which became P-274.
P-165 64345 Fokker D.VIII Oberursel 110 (98?)712 Active 2/1/22. In Museum 1/1/24 w/LeRhone 140 hp, ST #8833. Engine removed 2/13/25. To Salvage 10/6/26. Surveyed 3/18/27, #24344
P-166 64218 Huff-Daland TA-2 ABC Wasp 140 95001 Engine removed & OX-5 installed; plane re-designated P-238.
P-167 94111 British Aerial Transport (B.A. FK-23 ABC Wasp 160 94911 Shipped to museum ST #1013. In Museum on 2/1/22 and 1/1/24. Instruments being removed 4/30/25. Engine removed and lost at FAID, OH. Plane burned at McCook 8/30/31.
P-168 63274 Ordnance Engrg. Co IL-1 Liberty 12 400 31155 Active 2/1/22. In Museum 9/30/22 and 1/1/24. Eng. sent to stores 8/27/24. Instruments being removed 4/30/25. To salvage 12/15. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-169 94112 Fokker D.VIII Oberursel 140 94998 Active on 2/1/22. Salvaged 11/5/23, I&I Rpt. #4546.
P-170 64301 Moraine Saulnier LeRhone 80 34557 Active on 2/1/22. Test #285. Shipped to FAID, OH 1/5/23, ST #1804.
P-171 64155 Dayton-Wright XB-1A Wright-Martin H 300 13616 Wrecked Cleveland, OH, by Lt. Hegenberger early 1921, Surveyed 6/30/21, #3271.
P-172 64306 Thomas-Morse MB-4 2 x Wright-Martin H 300 300 13508 13506 Active 2/1/22. Transferred to FAID, OH 9/23/21, ST #1953.
P-173 64009 DH-4B Liberty 6 220 47843 Active 2/1/22. Transferred to Langley, VA 9/26/22, ST #153.
P-174 64008 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 32687 Active 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. Surveyed the “Aerial Highway.” Surveyed 10/2/24, #10911.
P-175 64007 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 5013 Active 2/1/22. Wrecked W. Wright, OH. Salvaged at W. Wright, OH, 6/8/22.
P-176 64349 S.E.5a Wright I 150 46833 Wrecked Chicago, IL, before Feb. 1922. Surveyed #3609.
P-177 64348 S.E-5a Wright E 180 48637 Transferred to W. Wright, OH for overhaul, 1/25/22, ST #7280. Salvaged at W. Wright.
P-178 64221 G. Elias TA-1 ABC Wasp 160 95001 In Museum 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. Engine removed. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-179 64158 Dayton-Wright XB-1A Wright-Martin H 300 13595 Active 2/1/22. Wrecked near McCook, OH, 6/23/22 by Lt. Harris.
P-180 64300 Engineering Div. XB-1A Packard 1A-1237 300 94608 Active 11/19/21 (11154) & 2/1/22. Wrecked near McCook, OH, by R.G. Lockwood 6/30/23 (18378). Surveyed 9/17/23, #369.
P-181 64160 Dayton-Wright XB-1A Wright-Martin H2 300 13914 In Museum on 2/1/22. Active & shipped to FAID, OH, 3/5/23, ST #3168. At W. Wright for overhaul on 1/1/24.
P-182 64161 Dayton-Wright XB-1A Wright-Martin H 300 1300 Wrecked McCook, OH, 7/1/21 by Lt. Fairchild. Surveyed 9/30/22, #3425.
P-183 64140 Loening PW-2 Wright-Martin H 300 13613 Active 7/1/21 (9616) & 2/1/22. In Museum on 9/303/22 & 1/1/24. Engine removed. To Salvage 12/25. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-184 64219 Huff-Daland TA-2 Active, but no engine listed on 2/1/22. Probably had a 170hp ABC Wasp. On 1/1/24 after engine change, it is listed as P-242. See P-242.
P-185 64222 G. Elias TA-1 Lawrance Wood In Museum on 2/1/22. Salvaged 11/5/23, I & I 4546. To salvage 12/25.
P-186 44246 Curtiss JN-6HB Wright-Martin A 150 49088 Later had a 150-hp Wr.-Martin I. Transf. to Arcadia, FL 11/5/23, I & I #4546.
P-187 64146 Boeing GA-1 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 5120 5011 Active 2/1/22. In storage 1/1/24. Transferred to Museum, ST #6423. Pumps removed 5/16/23 and engine 4/1/25. To Salvage 12/25. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-188 63757 Dayton-Wright DH-4B Wright-Martin H 300 13837 Active 2/1/22. On 5/23 had Siddeley Jaguar. About 8/23 had Wright radial installed (18712). Active on1/1/24. On 5/1/25 had Wright Radial #23-215. Surveyed 8/18/26, #24302.
P-189 64350 Engineering Division PW-1 Packard 1237 300 94604 Active 6/14/21 (9445), 9/22/21 (`0562) & 2/1/22. In Museum on 9/30/22 & 1/1/24, ST # 1013. Engine sent to stores 4/16/25. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333.
P-190 63181 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 x5008 Active 2/1/22. Used as testbed for turbo-supercharged Liberty engine. Wrecked abt. 6/22/22. Salvaged.
P-191 64535 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 24451 Active on 2/1/22. Wrecked. Surveyed 9/3/22, #9586 (also on 9/5/22, #9866).
P-192 64539 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 21927 Active 2/1/22. Transferred to Bolling, DC, 7/10/23, TO #1364. Also listed as Transf. 7/10/22.
P-193 64593 DH-4L Liberty 12 400 43892 In assembly on 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. Active 2/21/24 (20695). Active in cross country flying 5/1/25. Transferred to Montgomery AID, AL 12/6/26, ST #27309.
P-194 63896 Gallaudet DH-4B Liberty 12 400 5143 Photographic assignment on 2/1/22. Wrecked. Salvaged 12/7/22, #323.
P-195 64346 Fokker D.VII Packard 1A-1237 300 94618 Active 7/2/21 (9616) & 2/1/22. Salvaged 11/5/23, I & I 4547.
P-196 64302 Moraine Saulnier LeRhone C 110 34723 Active on 2/1/22., 1/1/24, and 5/1/25. Engine transferred to Nieuport 27. Transferred to Museum 2/9/26, ST #22013. Sent to fire pile 8/19/31.
P-197 63336 Thomas-Morse MB-3 Wright-Martin H 300 13875 Active 8/13/21 (9973) & 2/1/22. Salvaged 8/17/23.
P-198 63276 Curtiss PN-1 Liberty 6 220 47841 Active 8/17/21 (10037) & 2/1/22. In Museum on 1/1/24. Instruments being removed 4/20/25. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-199 38096 Curtiss JN-4HT Wright-Martin H 300 43211 Shipped to FAID, OH 12/22/21, ST #5837. At W. Wright field for overhaul 2/1/22.
P-200 64317 Engineering Division TW-1 Liberty 6 220 94577 Active on 9/21/21 (10618), 2/1/22, & 1/1/24. In Museum 1/11/24, ST #6387. Engine sent to stores 4/10/25. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.

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Last updated 13-May-2020