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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-201 63338 Thomas-Morse MB-3 Wright-Martin H 300 13511 Active on 2/1/22. In Museum 1/1/24. Surveyed 5/16/24, #4952.
P-202 63327 Curtiss Orenco D Wright-Martin H 300 13676 Transferred to W. Wright, OH, 11/28/21. Transferred to FAID, OH 12/2/21, ST #5679.
P-203 64310 Lewis & Vought VE-7 Wright-Martin E 180 46916 In assembly 2/1/22. At W. Wright, OH, for overhaul 1/1/24. Wrecked 4/18/24 Lt. Van Vechten (21141). Surveyed 4/22/24, #4960. Listed as a VE-9 on 1/1/24.
P-204 64311 Lewis & Vought VE-7 Wright-Martin E 180 95029 Active on 2/1/22, 1/1/24, & 5/1/25. Listed as a VE-9 on 1/1/24 & 5/1/25.
P-205 64177 Dayton-Wright XB-1A Wright-Martin H 300 13873 Active on 2/1/22. Transferred to FAID, OH, 7/11/22, TO #336.
P-206 63328 Curtiss Orenco D Wright-Martin H 300 13899 Temporarily at Museum on 2/1/22. Salvaged.
P-207 63329 Curtiss Orenco D Wright-Martin H 300 13827 In Museum 2/1/22 & 1/1/24. To salvage 4/15/24. Used in crash test.
P-208 68537 Thomas-Morse MB-6 Wright-Martin H 300 94945 Wrecked McCook, OH, 10/25/21 by Lt. Mosely. Salvaged 10/25/21. Surveyed 12/12/21, #5098.
P-209 41616 Curtiss JN-4HG Wright-Martin A 150 94886 Active on 2/1/22. Wrecked 4/6/22 by Lt. Fairchild (12667). Surveyed 6/10/22, #3286.
P-210 94821 Fokker D.VII Mercedes 6 94633 German s/n 5382. Active on 2/1/22. Wrecked 9/15/23 bY Maj. Napier (18943). Surveyed 11/5/23, #383.
P-211 68209 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 4282 Active on 2/1/22. Salvaged. Surveyed 1/2/23, #328.
P-212 2558 Fokker D.VII Mercedes 6 180 42097 German s/n. Active on 2/1/22. Transferred to “Ft. H’son” 4/28/22, ST#7760. Also listed as Transferred to Indianapolis, IN, 4/29/22.
P-213 6684 Fokker D.VII Mercedes 6 180 94635 German s/n. Active on 2/1/22. Salvaged 11/23. Surveyed 12/4/23, #4900.
P-214 64314 Lewis & Vought VE-7 Wright E 180 95032 Active 2/1/22. Later had 200-hp Wr-M. E-2. Transferred to W. Wright, OH 10/5/22, ST #757.
P-215 64315 Lewis & Vought VE-7 Wright 180 95034 Active on 2/1/22. Later had 200-hp Wr-M E-2 engine. Shipped to FAID, OH 4/26/23, ST #3450. At W. Wright, OH for overhaul 1/1/24. Listed as a VE-9 on 1/1/24
P-216 64316 Lewis & Vought VE-7 Wright E 180 95035 Active on 2/1/22, 1/1/24, & 5/1/25. Later had a 200-hp Wr-Martin E-2 eng. Shipped to FAID, OH; surveyed 2/16/27, ST #28099. Listed as a VE-9 on 1/1/24, 8/12/24 (22831), & 5/1/25.
P-217 64313 Lewis & Vought VE-7 Wright E 180 95033 Active on 2/1/22. At W. Wright 1/1/24 for overhaul w/200-hp E-2 engine. Active 5/1/25 with 180-hp E engine. Surveyed 3/16/27, #24367. Listed as a VE-9 on 1/1/24.
P-218 63698 Dayton-Wright DH-4B Liberty 12 400 21915 Active on 2/1/22. Wrecked 10/16/22. Salvaged 10/16/22, #305.
P-219 63710 Dayton-Wright DH-4B Liberty 12 400 32101 Active on 2/1/22, 1/1/24, & 8/12/24 (22833). Surveyed 4/28/25, #10971.
P-220 68214 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 23759 Active on 2/1/22. Shipped to FAID, OH, 5/11/22, ST #7823.
P-221 64141 Loening PW-2 Wright H 300 13859 Active 11/30/21 (11215) & 2/1/22. Salvaged I & I Report #4534, 8/17/23.
P-222 64201 G. L. Martin MB-2 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 18340 21905 Being overhauled 2/1/22. Shipped to FAID, OH 7/24/23, ST #4387.
P-223 68475 Sperry M-1 Messenger Lawrance L-4 95053 Active 2/1/22. Wrecked. Surveyed 10/16/22, #313.
P-224 68476 Sperry M-1 Messenger Lawrance L-4 95054 Transferred to FAID, OH, 1/17/22, ST #7225.
P-225 68477 Sperry M-1 Messenger Lawrance L-4 95019 Active 2/1/22, 1/1/24, & 5/1/25. Shipped to FAID, OH, 1/20/26, ST #21248.
P-226 64356 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 17509 Active 2/1/22, 1/1/24, &5/1/25. Surveyed 10/4/26, #24343.
P-227 64196 G. L. Martin MB-2 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 32943 23938 At W. Wright for overhaul 2/1/22. In Assembly 1/1/24. Transferred to FAID, OH, 7/22/24, ST #9292.
P-228 68543 Fokker D.VII BMW 68846 Active 2/1/22. Shipped to FAID, OH, 1/5/23, ST #1804.
P-229 64144 Ordnance Engrg. Co PW-3 Wright H 300 13719 In Assembly 2/1/22. In Museum 9/30/22 & 1/1/24. Safety belt removed 3/15/26. Airspeed indicator removed 4/3/26. To Salvage 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/24/26, #24333.
P-230 64390 Dayton-Wright TA-3 LeRhone 9 80 35869 In sand test 2/1/22. Transferred to sand test 6/12/23. I & I Report #4511, 6/12/23.
P-231 64231 Fokker PW-5 Wright H 300 13669 Active 2/1/22. Crashed Dayton, OH, 3/13/22, Lt. Niedermeyer killed.
P-232 64232 Fokker PW-5 Wright H 300 13724 In assembly 2/1/22. Received w/o engine, static tested 6/12/23. Surv., I & I Report #4511.
P-233 64388 Loening PW-2A Wright H 300 13830 Active 2/1/22. Wrecked 10/20/22 by Lt. Harris. (15318). Surveyed 10/20/22, #310.
P-234 64321 Engineering Division CO-1 Liberty 12 400 28818 In assembly in set up 2/1/22. In Museum 9/30/22 & 1/1/24. To Salvage 12/25, ST #1013. Surveyed 1/11/26, #17056.
P-235 68545 RAE SE-5A Wright 180 48803 Transferred to W. Wright, OH, 2/19/23 #7694, ST #3080.
P-236 64389 Loening PW-2B Packard 1237 300 94613 Active 4/17/22 (12930). Salvaged 11/5/23, I & I Report #4546.
P-237 64468 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 37577 Rejected by Inspection Section and returned to W. Wright, OH 4/6/22, ST #7651, TO #225.
P-238 64218 Huff-Daland TA-2 Curtiss OX-5 90 10536 Former P-166; OX-5 installed & plane re-designated P-238. In Museum on 2/1/22 (ST #1013). & 9/30/22. To Salvage 8/23/26. Surveyed 10/20/26, #24333, ST #1013.
P-239 64391 Dayton-Wright TA-3 Le Rhone 110 94637 Transferred to museum. Salvaged 10/13/23, I & I Report #4549.
P-240 64245 Aeromarine PG-1 Packard 1237 330 68862 Active on 4/23/23 (17680), 5/15/23 (17883), & 1/1/24. Transferred to Kelly, TX 4/11/24, TO #1824, ST #8121.
P-241 68546 Dornier D.1 BMW 6 200 94639 In Museum 5/14/23 & 1/1/24. Engine loaned to Ed Stinson, Detroit, Mich. & returned 3/22/26. Surveyed 9/8/26, #24337.
P-242 64219 Huff-Daland TA-2 Lawrance R 140 94572 Former P-184 with different engine. Active 6/12/22 (13746). In Museum on 5/14/23 & 1/1/24. Instruments being removed 4/30/25. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-243 64234 Fokker T-2 Liberty 12 400 21921 Active 6/2/22 (13632). Converted to A-2 (sic) about 7/23 (18458). Active 1/1/24. To Museum. Surveyed 12/17/23, #4902. In NASM.
P-244 64248 Loening PA-1 Wright R-1 350 Active 1/5/23 (16254). In Museum 5/14/23, ST #3770. In Museum 1/1/24 without engine, motor sent to stock. Surveyed in 1927 #17056.
P-245 68576 Fokker TW-4 Curtiss OX-5 90 70023 Active 6/7/ 22 (13698). To Salvaged 10/18/23, I & I Report 4549. Possibly surveyed 11/5/23.
P-246 68575 Fokker PW-6 Wright H 300 94947 Active 6/15/22 (13758). In Museum 5/14/23 & 1/1/24. Engine sent to stores 2/13/25. Airspeed indicator removed 4/30/25. To Salvage 12/25, ST #3770. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-247 22-517 DH-4B Liberty 400 18262 Wrecked. Surveyed 10/1/22, #316.
P-248 64235 Boeing GA-2 Eng. Div. Wl-A 750 95012 Received in yards 12/28/21. Active on 1/1/24. Salvaged & Surveyed 2/21/24, Sur #4915.
P-249 68473 Sperry Messenger Lawrance L-4 64 95019 Transferred to Langley, VA, 11/19/24 for tests, ST #6693.
P-250 68557 Fokker XCO-4 Liberty 12 400 37637 23509 Active 1/1/24. Flown to Mitchell, NY, 7/2/24, by Lt. Downey, ST #8589.
P-251 22-511 DH-4BP-1 Liberty 12 400 94783 Transferred 7/24/23 to W. Wright, OH, ST #4386. Salvaged 7/14/23.
P-252 64354 DH-4BP-1 Liberty 12 400 31478 Transferred to FAID, OH, 7/5/23 ST #4305.
P-253 64233 Fokker T-2 Liberty 12 400 30393 Made non-stop New York-San Diego flight by Lts. McCready & Kelly 5/2-3/23. Surveyed 2/26/24, #4908. Transferred to Smithsonian Inst, for exhibition.
P-254 68482 Curtiss NBS-1 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 31129 22830 Active on 7/25/22, 1/1/24, & 5/1/25. Transferred to FAID, OH, 3/22/26, ST #21553.
P-255 68577 Engineering Division CO-2 Liberty 12 400 71648 Wrecked 8/14/22 by Lt. Moriarity & Mr. Stonebaker (14530). Salvaged. Surveyed 8/22/22, #9822.
P-256 22-528 DH-4B Inverted. Lib 12 400 4654 Active 8/20/23 (18733). In Assembly 1/1/24. Active on 5/1/25. Safety belt removed 3/15/26. Inverted Liberty s/n 37873 installed later. Surveyed 8/18/26, #24302.
P-257 22-523 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 32625 Active on 1/1/24 & 5/1/25. Surveyed “Aerial Highways.” On 5/1/25, had engine s/n 33178-YG. Transferred to FAID, OH 7/7/25, ST #18181.
P-258 22-520 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 43807-Y Transferred to FAID, OH 12/7/22, ST #1675. Waiting overhaul at W Wright 1/1/24.
P-259 68237 Boeing MB-3A Wright H-3 300 68553 Active 10/6/23 (19200), 1/11/23 (16286), & 1/1/24. Had GE C supercharger. Salvaged 5/19/24. Surveyed 7/24/24 #4984.
P-260 68238 Boeing MB-3A Wright H-3 300 68554 Boeing designed experimental wings & special engine head. Wrecked 4/7/23 by Capt. Derby at McCook, OH (17428). Surveyed 6/16/23, #356
P-261 64281 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 31478 Salvaged 1/2/23. Surveyed 1/2/23, #329.
P-262 64392 Dayton-Wright TA-3 LeRhone 80 35862 Active 1/5/23 (16250). Flown to Norton Field, Columbus, OH, 7/3/24, ST #8599.
P-263 68578 Engineering Division TP-1 Liberty 12 400 22179 Active on 1/1/24 & 5/21/24 (21665). Verville-Clarke side supercharger installed 2/1/24 & underslung radiator 5/24/24. New wings. Prototype for XCO-5. Shipped to Kelly, TX, 9/24. Shipped to Kelly, TX 7/14/25, ST #13441.
P-264 68541 Cox Klemin TW-2 Wright E 180 Shipped to museum 5/14/23, ST #3770. Engine removed & installed in P-217. Salvaged. No Survey made.
P-265 68547 Fokker PW-5 Wright H-3 330 Transferred to Selfridge, MI, 1/31/23, ST #1974, TO #1024. Active on 2/7/23 (16622).
P-266 68554 Fokker PW-5 Wright H-2 330 94985 Active on 1/1/24. In Museum 1/31/24. Engine sent to stores 2/14/25. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-267 68559 Loening R-4 Packard 2025 600 95037 Active 1/11/23 (16282). In Museum on 5/14/23 & 1/1/24, ST #3770. In 1922 Pulitzer race. Engine sent to stores 5/1/25. Surveyed 1/14/26, #17056.
P-268 68562 Thomas-Morse R-5 Packard 2025 600 95038 Active 1/18/23 (16380). In Museum 1/1/24. Radiator & oil tank under fuselage. Static tested and then salvaged. Surveyed 2/21/25, #10956.
P-269 22-326 Verville Sperry R-3 Wright H 400 68741 Active 2/5/23 (16604) & on 1/1/24. Salvaged & surveyed 2/19/24, #4917.
P-270 19240 SPAD VII Wright 180 49645 French s/n. Salvaged & surveyed 5/2/23 #343.
P-271 22-586 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 29533-Y Active on 1/2/23. Surveyed 7/2/23, #367.
P-272 22-247 Loening PW-2A Wright H 300 94898 Active on 1/1/24. In storage 8/5/24. Surveyed 2/12/25, #10953.
P-273 22-401 Dayton-Wright TW-3 Wright E 180 49567 Wrecked 1/22/23 (16404). Active on 1/1/24. Flown to Bolling, DC, 6/18/24, ST #8524.
P-274 68586 Boeing MB-3A Wright H 300 68701 Active 7/19/23 (18515), 1/1/24, & 5/1/25. Transferred to FAID, OH 9/3/25, ST #18393.
P-275 22-596 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 37991 Active 6/7/23 & 1/1/24. Surveyed 6/2/25, #10991.
P-276 22-266 Dayton-Wright TA-3 LeRhone 110 94638 Active 3/6/23 (16991) & 1/1/24. In museum 8/1/24. To salvage 10/6/26. Surveyed 3/18/27, #24344.
P-277 64587 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 17702-YG Active 5/15/23 (17875), 12/21/23, 1/1/24, & 5/1/25. Surveyed 3/8/27, #24370.
P-278 68564 Curtiss R-6 Curtiss D-12 460 68870 Won 1922 Pulitzer Race. Active 3/17/23 (17098). In storage 1/1/24. Crashed in International Air Race at W. Wright, OH, 10/4/24. Captain Burton E. Skeel killed. Surveyed 11/10/24, #10915.
P-279 68563 Curtiss R-6 Curtiss D-12 460 68869 Second in 1922 Pulitzer Race, Lt. Maitland, #44. In storage 1/1/24. Fifth in 1924 Pulitzer. Active 7/3/24 (22275). Static tested. Surveyed 4/6/25, #10968.
P-280 68584 Huff-Daland TA-6 Lawrance J-1 200 22-99 Active 4/12/23 (17537) & 1/1/24. Flown to Brooks, TX 4/8/24 by Lt. Banfill, ST #8106, TO #1926. Engine also listed as s/n 22-105.
P-281 68587 Gallaudet CO-1 Liberty 12 400 21921 In storage on 1/1/24. No engine. Outside storage. Surveyed 3/7/26, #24313.
P-282 1989 SPAD XIII Wright E 180 49567 French s/n. Waiting overhaul 1/1/24. Surveyed 2/21/24 (or 2/23/24), #4918.
P-283 68583 Dayton-Wright TA-5 Lawrance J-1 200 22-103 Active 4/3/23 (17400). Waiting overhaul 1/1/24. Tested with one wheel landing gear & a balancing wheel at wing tips.. Active 5/1/25. Surveyed 1/20/27, #24358.
P-284 68565 Fokker XCO-4 Liberty 12 400 21989-YG Active 4/12/23 (17514) & 1/1/24. Tested with nose radiator, #457. Cross country on 5/1/25. Written off 1927.
P-285 68566 Fokker XCO-4 Liberty 12 400 37850 Active 4/9/23 (17462) & 1/1/24. Performance tested. Transferred to Kelly, TX 3/20/24, ST #6989.
P-286 68542 Cox Klemin TW-2 Wright E 180 46867 Salvaged I & I Report #4510, 6/13/23. In Museum 1/1/24 & 11/5/24. Removed from Museum on ST #8970.
P-287 22-587 DH-4B Liberty 12 400 33009 Active 1/1/24 & 5/1/25. Surveyed 7/24/25, #17017.
P-288 23-1200 DH-4B-5 Liberty 12 400 43873 Pilot with two-passenger cabin. Active 5/15/23 (17879). Surveying “Aerial Highways” 1/1/24. Engine removed 12/1/24. Surveyed 2/11/25, #10954.
P-289 22-1110 Aeromarine DH-4B Liberty 12 400 27622 Active on 1/1/24. Supercharger. Surveyed Aerial Highway. Surveyed 7/10/25, #10997.
P-290 94034 Fokker D VII Packard 1A-825 95010 Converted to a two-seat model “C-1” with a supercharged Liberty 8. Wrecked & Surveyed 10/27/23, #380.
P-291 94104 Fokker D.VII Packard 12 94601 In assembly 1/1/24 & 2/14/24. Surveyed 7/10/25, #10992. Transferred to Museum 8/17/25 without engine.
P-292 22-1128 Aeromarine DH-4B Liberty 12 400 24142 Radio tests 1/1/24. At factory, cross country work, 5/1/25. Also had Liberty s/n 22-1128. Transferred to FAID, OH 1/27/27, ST #28020.
P-293 68508 Curtiss NBS-1 2 x Liberty 12 400 400 R-25085 L-29530 Supercharger tests 1/1/24. Transferred to Langley, VA 12/16/24, ST #11737.
P-294 22-246 Loening PW-2A Wright H 300 94893 Not listed 1/1/24. Surveyed 11/24/23, #392.
P-295 23-1201 Curtiss XPW-8 Curtiss D-12 440 23-119 Converted from XPW-8 to “CO-X” 2-seat racer for 1923 National Air Races. Active 5/22/23 (17984) & 1/1/24. Dawn to Dusk flight 6/23/24 by Lt. Russell L. Maughan. Static tested. No engine. Surveyed 2/21/25, #10956.
P-296 22-1124 Aeromarine DH-4B Liberty 12 400 24483Y Wrecked McCook OH 7/11/23 by Lt. Monthan (18462). Surveyed 8/6/23, #376.
P-297 22-1117 Aeromarine DH-4B Liberty 12 400 37969 Later had Liberty 12 s/n 5122XY. Active on 1/1/24 & 6/17/24 (21992), 8/12/24 (22826), 3/12/24 (20879), & 5/2/24 (21389). Surveyed 1/30/25, #10949.
P-298 22-1107 Aeromarine DH-4B-3 Liberty 12 400 5142 Active on 1/1/24. Cross country 5/1/25. Also had Liberty s/n 3822YG. Surveyed 11/21/25, #17041.
P-299 22-1123 Areomarine DH-4B Liberty 12 400 37647-Y Wing skin radiator test on 1/1/24. Active on 5/1/25. Also had Liberty 12 s/n 31207. Surveyed 3/8/27, #24372.
P-300 22-1121 Aeromarine DH-4B-P2 Liberty 12 400 24529 Active 8/20/23 (18741). Photographic tests 1/1/24 & 5/1/25. Later had Liberty 12 s/n 33321-YG. Engine removed. Surveyed 2/2/27, #24368.

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Last updated 13-May-2020