Specialty Press

Buzz Numbers The Explanations Behind America's Military Aircraft Identification System

by  Peter M. Bowers and David W. Menard

Reviewed By  Steve Nelson, IPMS# 30925

MSRP: $16.95 ISBN: 1-5807-103-1 Format: Softbound, 96 Pages, Almost 300 B&W Photos From Specialty Press, www.specialtypress.com or 1-800-895-4585. I have to admit, this title sounded a little dry at first, but turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. The authors have set out to assemble a comprehensive reference on something many of us have never really studied. The book is short on text and long on photos, many taken by the legendary Peter Bowers himself. Buzz Numbers begins with a brief history of the numbering systems used on U.S. Army Air Corps and Army Air Force aircraft from the beginning of military aviation through the end of World War Two. But the real meat of the book is an analysis of the "buzz number" system instituted when the U.S. Air Force became a separate service in 1947. Each category of aircraft is covered in its own chapter, including fighters, bombers, transports, trainers, liaison, and even gliders. Tables are included showing which two-letter prefix was assigned to specific types, even those which never actually had Buzz Numbers applied in practice. There's also a section on Air National Guard aircraft markings. Some of the most interesting parts of the text are when the authors discuss exceptions to the rules, backed up with photos or their own personal experience. This will definitely throw a wet blanket on some of the "Hexperts" and their "it could never have been painted like that" pronouncements. There's a major difference between what the tech order says and what was done in the real world. The book even includes a section on how the standard "Star and Bar" insignia has been incorrectly painted on operational U.S. Air Force aircraft (even the "Skyblazers" demo team's F-100s) once again backed up with photos. The book concludes with reproductions of the original tech orders on designation systems, and how those markings were supposed to be applied, including the correct proportions for the national insignia..something many warbird restorers should study. Buzz Numbers is a definite "must have" for any aircraft modeler's library, particularly fans of "Nifty Fifties." There's a lot of information here that I don't think has ever been covered anywhere else, certainly not in one volume. Highly recommended.

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