Aviation Archaeology - Aircraft Inspection Stamps

Graphics created by Walt Witherspoon. Some stamps courtesy of Craig Fuller.
Note: Portions of stamp graphics noted by dotted lines are estimates of missing details.
"B" stamp note: Beech Aircraft, Bell Aircraft, and Bendix Corp. all use very similar QA stamps with a single letter "B" and the inspector's number. Telling the various forms of these stamps apart can be impossible. Lockheed T-33s also have a form of "B" stamp not seen on other Lockheed planes so far in research. Bendix stamps use a fonts in which the lower lobe of the B is wider than the upper lobe but in general trying to identify a crash site with only a "B" stamp found is uncertain if other stamps, part numbers, or specific known crash locations are unavailable.
"HT" stamp note: Many planes share identical or similar heat treatment "HT" stamps. The common form is the letters HT above or below the inspector's number, all within a circle. Because of the similarity across different manufacturers' planes the common "HT" stamp is not useful in making a specific identification.

Beechcraft
	AT-7B	Beechcraft
	C-45H	Beechcraft
	C-45H	Beechcraft, unusual "B" stamp w/alpha character
	C-45H	Beechcraft
	T-34	Beechcraft
	T-34	Beechcraft
BELL
	P-39, P-59, P-63	Bell
	P-59	Bell
	P-59	Bell
	P-63, P-59	Bell, F has distinct serifs.
	P-59	Bell, probable heat treat stamp
	P-59	Bell, probable heat treat stamp
	Unk	Stamp seen on isolated fragment which also had Bell "Be" and HT stamps. Bell product, exact type unknown.
Bendix (Accessories & Landing Gear)
	Various	Bendix, found on Bendix fuel control of Allison J-33 turbojet engine. B is distinctly "fat" with small upper lobe. May appear on other Bendix products.
	Various	Bendix, found on Bendix made outer "pogo" strut of B-47E. May appear on other Bendix products.
	R-2800	Eclipse Pioneer division of Bendix. Found on R-2800 accessory drive gearbox identiplate.
Boeing
	B-17	Boeing, red inked stamp, not indented
	B-29	Boeing, seen on fuselage structure & castings.
	B-29	Boeing, seen on wing joint forging. This stamp very similar to Bell "Be" stamp. Wing section possibly from Bell built aircraft
	B-29	Boeing, found on wing components produced by Alcoa.
	B-29	Boeing, found on wing components produced by Alcoa. Similar stamp also seen on Lockheed YP-80A part.
	B-29	Boeing, found on wing components produced by Alcoa.
	B-29	Boeing, found on wing components produced by Alcoa.
	B-29	Boeing, found on many major component identiplates
	B-29	Boeing, found on identiplate of Briggs Mfg. Co. made B-29 part.
	B-47B	Boeing, B-47B structure stamp, Boeing Witchita division
	B-47E Unk	Boeing or sub-contractor, found on B-47E gear door identiplates Found on debris left from Edwards AFB sled tests. (Numerous Boeing parts in area, Boeing Witchita division stamp)
	B-52B	Boeing, from B-52B mod plate. (NASA B-52B)
	B-50, C-97	Boeing, seen on B-50, C-97, and post 1950 debris of Boeing product at Edwards AFB sled track. Stamp is very small. May appear on other late 40s to 1950s Boeing products.
Canadair
	F-86F	Canadair, appears on license built Sabre. Stamp is stylized "C" with inspector's number stacked vertically.
	F-86F	Canadair or part subcontractor for Canadair. Seen on actuator in wing of Canadair built F-86F
Cessna
	T-37, A-37B	Cessna
Chance Vought - LTV
	F4U	Chance Vought plane, found on Corsair wing flap. Probably sub-contractor stamp.
	F4U	Chance Vought plane, on part from wing tip repair kit. Probably sub-contractor stamp.
	F4U	Chance Vought, found on Corsair wing flap
	F4U	Chance Vought, found on main gear casting
	F4U	Chance Vought, found on trim tab bracket
	F4U	Chance Vought, found on trim tab bracket
	F4U	Chance Vought, found on various parts & mod plates Very odd shape, stylized V with "bull ring" and apparent top of "S" sticking out above inspector's number.
	F4U-4	Chance Vought aircraft, stamp seen on identiplate of late model, possibly Navy Depot stamp.
	F4U, F7U, F8U, A-7, Regulus	Chance Vought
	F8U-1	Chance Vought aircraft, Octagon "G" Grumman stamp found on gear door mod plate. Door built by Grumman under sub-contract to Chance Vought.
	RF-8A	Chance Vought
	TA-7C	Ling Temco Vought
	A-7E	Ling Temco Vought
	A-7	Ling Temco Vought
	YA-7F & TA-7C	Ling Temco Vought
Consolidated/Vultee - Convair - General Dynamics
	BT-13	Vultee
	B-24J	Consolidated Fort Worth division built B-24J. Probable heat treat stamp.
	C-131, TF-102A	Convair, San Diego facility.
	C-131	Convair
	Unk	Convair, San Diego. (EAFB sled test debris, probable F-102)
	Unk	Convair, San Diego. (EAFB sled test debris, probable F-102)
	Unk	Convair, San Diego. (EAFB sled test debris, probable F-102) (indented on same parts as "CVSD" stamps above)
	C-131	Convair, San Diego. Also seen on EAFB sled test debris, probably F-102 or F-106.
	Unk	Convair, San Diego. (EAFB sled test debris, probable F-102) (inked stamp, not indented)
	PQM-102	Convair, drone conversion
	B-58, F-102A	Convair, Fort Worth facility.
	F-111, F-16	General Dynamics, Fort Worth facility
	F-16	General Dynamics
	F-16	General Dynamics
	EF-111A	General Dynamics aircraft, modern Grumman stamp. On parts added by Grumman as part of modification from F-111A to EF-111A. Stamp is inked, not indented.
Curtiss
	AT-9	Curtiss, seen on vertical fin spar identiplate in AT-9 "Jeep" wreckage.
	C-46	Curtiss, also seen without inspector's number
	P-40, C-46	Curtiss, found on various structure parts
	P-40	Curtiss, seen on Curtiss identiplate in P-40 wheel well.
	C-46	Curtiss
DeHavilland Canada
	DHC-4	DeHavilland Canada, may appear on other DHC products.
Douglas
	B-18	Douglas, seen on flap identiplates and brackets.
	C-47	Douglas
	C-47	Douglas
	C-47	Douglas
	C-47, F3D	Douglas
	C-47, A-24B	Douglas, stamp small with no numbers
	C-124	Douglas
	A3D	Douglas
	A-4	Douglas
	A-4E	Douglas
	A-4E	Douglas
	AD-6, F4D-1	Douglas
	A3D, A-4	Douglas
	A3D, F3D-2, F4D-1	Douglas
	AD-6	Douglas, on mod plate
	AD-6	Douglas
	AD-6	Douglas
	AD-6	Douglas
	AD-26	Douglas
	A-26	Douglas
	A-26	Douglas
	A-26	Govt. customer inspection QA stamp
	A-26	From A-26 bomb bay door stamped "Beech"
	A-26	From A-26 bomb bay door stamped "Beech"
	A-26	Douglas
	A-26	Douglas
	A-26	Douglas, looks like bulged fusion of letters D and B. Several seen at A-26B crash site.
Fairchild
	C-82, C-119	Fairchild
	C-119	Fairchild
	C-119	Fairchild
	C-119	Fairchild, found on C-119 engine cowl brackets
	C-119	Fairchild or sub-contractor. Seen on cargo door hinge castings.
	C-119	Fairchild, found on C-119 engine cowl brackets. Possibly sub-contractor QA stamp.
General Electric (Engines & Turbos)
	GE Turbo	General Electric, found on turbo housing at P-38 crash site.
	GE Turbo	General Electric, found on turbo housing at P-38 crash site.
	GE I Series	GE stamp seen on early P-59 engine, I-16 or I-30 series gas turbine. Inked stamp, not indented.
	J-47-GE-13	General Electric turbine blade mark, etched
	J-47-GE-13	General Electric turbine blade mark, etched
	GE J-79	General Electric, found in etch form on some J-79 blades.
	GE J-79	General Electric, small stamp found in etch form on some J-79 compressor blades.
	GE YJ-93	General Electric, etched on some YJ-93 stator vane arms. YJ-93 used on XB-70.
Grumman
	F6F	Grumman, found on Hellcat wing fold casting
	F6F F6F	Grumman, found on Hellcat wing fold casting Grumman
	F6F	Grumman
	F6F	Grumman, possible heat treatment stamp
	F6F	Grumman, possible heat treat stamp
	F6F	Grumman, Rhomboid "G", closed rhombus F6F example seen is distinctly flattened vs. true square
	F8F	Grumman, small stamp seen on main gear linkage made by Bendix. Probable heat treat stamp.
	TBM-3	General Motors built Grumman aircraft
	TBM-3	General Motors built Grumman aircraft (probable heat treat stamp, inked, not indented)
	SA-16, F9F-4	Grumman
	SA-16	Grumman
	OV-1	Grumman, inked stamp, not indented
	A-6	Grumman
	A-6	Grumman
	A-6	Grumman
	F-14A	Grumman
	F9F-2, S2F, OV-1, F-14A	Grumman, Octagonal G stamp. Also seen on Grumman made sub-contract parts of other planes.
	F9F-2 F8F, F9F-2	Found on a small fraction of stamped parts at F9F-2 crash. Possibly sub-contract parts made by Republic Grumman, Rhomboid "G", open rhombus
Hiller
	H-23	Hiller Helicopters
	H-23	Hiller or sub-contractor for Hiller. Seen on H-23 Raven tail boom mount castings.
Kaman
	Kaman
Keystone
	Unk	Keystone aircraft, variant unknown (Keystone was 1920s and 30s era military plane builder)
Lockheed
	P-38	Lockheed
	P-38	Lockheed, found on debris of later variant, J or L model
	P-38	Lockheed, probable heat treat stamp
	P-38	Lockheed, probable heat treat stamp
	P-38	Lockheed
	P-38	Vultee built Lockheed P-38
	P-38	Found on spare P-38 part, inked stamp, not indented
	P-38	Lockheed, probable heat treat stamp
	P-38J	Lockheed, on nose gear link
	P-38J	Lockheed, on nose gear link
	P-38	Lockheed
	P-38	Lockheed
	P-38	Lockheed
	P-38	Lockheed, found on casting at later variant P-38 crash
	PV-2	Lockheed, parenthesis are distinctly larger than numbers.
	YP-80A	Lockheed
	YP-80A	Lockheed
	P-80, C-121, P2V	Lockheed, number of digits varies
	F/P-80A/C	Lockheed
	P-80A	Lockheed
	P-80, T-33, C-121	Lockheed
	F/P-80A/C	Lockheed
	PV-2, C-121, P2V	Lockheed, probable heat treat stamp
	P-80	Lockheed
	T-33, F-94	Seen in company inspection block of T-33 and F-94 identiplates
	F-94, C-121, P2V	Lockheed, number of digits varies
	F-94B	Lockheed
	T-33, F-104	Crossed oval seen on T-33 structure, F-104N parts. Always seen with W in one quadrant. Also seen on Vertol CH-47 (See Vertol.)
	C-121	Crossed oval seen on Lockheed C-121 structure.
	P-80, F-104	Lockheed, probable heat treat stamp
	P-38, F-104	Lockheed
	T-33A	Lockheed, similar to Bendix, Beech, and Bell "B" stamps
	T-33A	Lockeed, seen on very early block 1 T-33A identiplate
	T-33A	Lockheed, probable heat treat stamp.
	C-130	Lockheed, seen on very early C-130 built in 1956. Also seen with larger L relative to other characters. Inked, not indented.
	C-130	Lockheed, seen on very early C-130 built in 1956. Inked, not indented.
		Lockheed, seen on very early C-130 built in 1956. Found next to electrical ground points, probable bonding check stamp. Inked.
	F-104	Lockheed, seen with both 4 numbers and 3 numbers. Inked stamp
	F-104N	Lockheed, found on F-104N parts, may also appear on other F-104 variants.
	U-2, SR-71A, F-117A	Lockheed Skunk Works
	SR-71A	Lockheed (stamp on exhaust "turkey feather" segments), Etched.
	SR-71A	Lockheed, found on SR-71 Flight Control Mixer Assembly. Etched.
	SR-71A	Lockheed or subcontractor to Lockheed, found on component of SR-71 Flight Control Mixer Assy.
	F-117A	Lockheed, inked, not indented.
Martin
	B-57	Martin, most common stamp on B-57s.
	AM-1, B-57	Martin, probable heat treat stamp.
	B-57	Martin, stylized "M" composed of arc sections. Found on steel uplock hook at B-57 crash site.
McDonnell - McDonnell Douglas
	F2H, F3H, F-101, F-4, F-15	McDonnell - McDonnell Douglas (the most common McDonnell - MD stamp)
	F2H	McDonnell
	F2H	McDonnell
	F-101B	McDonnell aircraft, seen on flap and aileron identiplates. Stamp identical to Martin stamp, parts probably Martin sub-contracted.
	F-4	McDonnell (more common on Republic products) Possibly sub-contract part made by Republic
	F-4	McDonnell, also found on other manufacturers' planes
	F-4	McDonnell
	F-18B	McDonnell Douglas
North American
	O-47A, F-86, F-100A/C, FJ-3	North American
	AT-6D	North American
	AT-6D	North American
	AT-6D	North American
	AT-6D	North American
	P-51D	North American
	B-24J	North American Dallas division built B-24
	B-25	North American
	B-25	North American
	B-25	North American
	B-25J	North American
	P-51D	North American, probable heat treat stamp
	F-86F	North American (probable Govt. QA stamp)
	F-86F	North American
	T-28A	North American, possible heat treat stamp
	F-86E	North American (unusual mod plate stamp)
	F-100A	North American, unusual ANA stamp seen at crash site of 2nd production F-100A. Large letters and single W vs. numbers.
	F-100	North American, probable heat treat stamp.
	F-100, XB-70, Rockets	North American and Rockwell Rocketdyne, seen in impact form on F-100 variants, etched on XB-70, and impacted on J-2 Rocket motor parts.
	XB-70, X-15	North American, etched on XB-70.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
	XB-70	North American, example seen was apparently etched as a Digits were backwards.
	XB-70	North American, etched.
Northrop
	F-89	Northrop; inked stamp, not indented
	F-89	Northrop; inked stamp, not indented
	F-89	Northrop, seen in normal indented form on YF-89D structure debris at crash site.
	F-89	Northrop, probable heat treat stamp, found indented on YF-89D structure fragments.
	F-89, F-5	Northrop, inked stamp, not indented
	T-38A	Northrop Norair division, found on T-38 main gear strut identiplate.
	A-9A	Northrop, inked stamp, not indented
Piasecki
	H-21, H-25	Piasecki Note: Piper light planes have essentially identical Piper stamp.
	H-21 rotor	Piasecki or sub-contractor for Piasecki, found on H-21 rotor blade mod plate.
Pratt & Whitney (Engines)
	R-2800	Pratt & Whitney
	Unk Radial	Seen on cylinder heads of poor condition Pratt & Whitney radial of R-1830 or R-2800 series.
	R-2800	Pratt & Whitney engine built under licence by Ford Motor Co.
	R-4360	Pratt & Whitney
	PW J-75	Pratt & Whitney stamp on ignition box of retired J-75 turbojet engine from U-2 program. Similar form also found hand engraved on PW J-58 engines from SR-71/A-12.
	J-57, J-75	Pratt & Whitney
	PW J-75	Pratt & Whitney engine, stamp found on compressor case made by Ford Howard.
	PW J-75	Pratt & Whitney engine, stamp found on compressor case made by Ford Howard.
Republic
	P-47D	Republic aircraft, found on main gear strut oleo link, possibly landing gear sub-contractor QA stamp.
	P-47D	Republic, probable heat treat stamp. Example seen was struck off angle, only lower half of stamp was imprinted.
	F-84F, F-105	Republic "stretched R"
	F-84F	Republic, another "stretched R"
	F-84F	Republic, unusual stretched P
	F-84G	Republic, "stretched J"
	F-105	Republic "stretched P"
	F-84C, F-105	Republic "short R"
	F-84F	Republic
	F-84F	Republic
	F-84F	Republic (no border)
	F-84	Republic
	F-84F	Republic ("CE" stamp is Cessna, probable sub-contract part.)
	F-105	Republic
Rockwell (Incl. North American Aircraft Operations)
	T-2, OV-10	Rockwell NAAO
	T-2	Rockwell NAAO, also seen on F-100 series.
	B-1A	Rockwell NAAO, small inked stamp, not indented
	B-1A	Rockwell NAAO, small inked stamp, not indented
	B-1A	Rockwell NAAO, found on B-1A escape capsule.Inked stamp, not indented
	B-1A	Rockwell NAAO, found on B-1A escape capsule.Inked stamp, not indented
	B-1A	Rockwell NAAO, found on B-1A escape capsule.Inked stamp, not indented
	Rockets	Rockwell Rocketdyne division stamp, found on various Rocketdyne products including J-2 rocket engine.
Ryan (Incl. Teledyne Ryan)
	Unk	Ryan, seen on isolated part bearing newer form inked part number with 147 prefix. Probably later model drone.
Sikorsky
	HR2S	Sikorsky, on mod plates of HR2S Helicopter
	HSS-1	Sikorsky
Temco
	TT-1	Temco
	TT-1	Temco
Vertol
	CH-47A	Vertol, bottom of V is distinctly rounded. Vultee "V" stamp is similar but V has sharp vertex.
	CH-47A	Crossed oval seen on toe brake hydraulic cylinder. This stamp seen far more often on Lockheed products.
Wright Aeronautical (Engines)
	R-2600 R-2600	Wright Aeronautical Wright Aeronautical
	R-3350	Wright Aeronautical, seen on R-3350 Turbo Compound identiplate.
	J-65B-7	Wright Aeronautical
	J-65B-7	Wright Aeronautical
	J-65B-7 J-65B-7	Wright Aeronautical Wright Aeronautical
	J-65B-7	Wright Aeronautical
	J-65B-7	Wright Aeronautical
Miscellaneous stamps
	Various	Chevrolet Motors casting mark. Seen as cast-in mark on various aircraft such as P-38, F7F, B-25.
	B-17, P-47D	"curved M" stamp seen on mod plates on B-17 and P-47D B-17 mod plate specified part built by Murray corp.
	P-47D, B-24L	Found on structure parts of P-47D and Ford built B-24L. May also appear on other types.
	B-24L	Seen on Ford Motor Co. identiplate on Ford built B-24L part.
	Various	Edo Aircraft Corporation. Seen on Edo identiplate on Vought OS2U Kingfisher main float. Edo manufactured floats for many types of floatplanes & flying boats.
	V-1650-7	Stamp on head of Packard built V-1650-7 Merlin V-12
	P-38 nuts	Tiny stamp seen on nuts used on P-38 (Letters FJ may also be LJ or TO)
	Various	Stamp seen on identiplate of Janitrol aircraft heater mounted in Vertol CH-47A helicopter. May appear in other types.
	R-975	Continental Aircraft Engines stamp found on R-975 radial.
	Various	Aerol stamp. Found on landing gear components made by Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Co.. Various planes & choppers.
	H-23	Advance Gear and Machine Co. stamp. Seen on tail rotor gearbox of Hiller H-23.
	Curtiss hub	Inked stamp found on Curtiss electric propeller hub assembly. Not specific to any one aircraft type.
	Curtiss hub	Inked stamp found on Curtiss electric propeller hub assembly. Not specific to any one aircraft type.
	Various	Menasco Corp. QA. Landing gear manufacturer. Found on landing gear components of various types. (1940s - 50s era)
	P-80	Found on P-80 main landing gear leg, probably Menasco Corp. stamp.
	Various	Menasco Corp. Canada. Seen on Fairchild A-10 gear strut.
	Old engines	Found on engine block of 1918 vintage Curtiss OX-5 V-8 aircraft engine. Also seen on similar vintage Hall & Scott V-8 engine.
	OX-5	Found on engine block of 1918 vintage Curtiss OX-5 V-8 aircraft engine. OX-5 manufactured by Curtiss and other firms.
	OX-5	Found on engine block of 1918 vintage Curtiss OX-5 V-8 aircraft engine. OX-5 manufactured by Curtiss and other firms.
Government QA (Customer Inspection)
	Various	Common form of US Govt. Customer Inspection stamp (generally found on modern types, post 1950)
	Various	Customer Inspection This form seen on H-21 rotor blade mod plate, 1957
	Various	Customer Inspection, usually seen on Navy / Marine planes.
	Various	Customer inspection
	GE I-16	Customer inspection of GE I-16 gas turbine part
	GE I-16	Customer inspection of GE I-16 gas turbine part
	Various	Customer inspection
	Various	Customer inspection
	Various	Customer inspection
	Various	Customer Inspection, found on various pre WWII aircraft and pre WWII engine components. Also seen without "base" making stamp appear as large A with same internal details.
	Canadian	Royal Canadian Air Force Govt. QA stamp. Found on various Canadair and other Canadian built aircraft. This form seen on Canadair T-33A seat.
Unknown Stamps (from sites or parts not yet identified)
	Unk	From WWII or earlier canopy frame at Edwards AFB
	Unk	From isolated fragment on dirt road north of EAFB. North American product
	Unk	Found on mounting flange of accessory or sub-assembly component at F9F-2 crash site. Stamp of accessory manufacturer, not likely Grumman stamp.
	Unk	Found on mounting flange of accessory or sub-assembly component at F9F-2 crash site. Stamp of accessory manufacturer, not likely Grumman stamp.
	Unk
General Aviation (Light Plane) stamps
	Cessna	Cessna light planes, examples seen were all inked, not indented.
	Piper	Piper light planes. Piper stamp is essentially indistinguishable from Piasecki helicopter stamp.