Ran Aircraft Codes

[Martin Edwards]

I have added this to the RAN page
Thanks to Jeff Chartier for explaining what seemed like a very complicated system of aircraft codes.

RAN Aircraft Codes Explained

By Jeff Chartier, 723 Squadron, RAN

The coding of the RAN FAA's aircraft is basically a carry on from the old days where we managed everything in line with the Royal Navy standards of operation.
From 1946, all RN FAA aircraft, whether at home or abroad, would carry a 3 digit fuselage code of which the first digit would denote its layout or function.
Single seaters used 100 codes,
2 seaters used 200 codes,
3 seaters used 300 codes,
Multi engines used 400 codes,
Fleet Support (FRU) used 500 codes,
Multi engined light trainers used 600 codes,
700 codes were spare,
Communications aircraft used 800 codes,
Station flights used 900 codes,
Trials / development aircraft used 000 codes.
The RAN FAA adopted the same system when it stood up in 1948.
It continued to use a fairly similar system, changing to 900 series codes for all 2nd Line Units in 1955, and then a whole of FAA change to 800 series codes for both 1st & 2nd Line Units in 1958.

By 1977 and into the 80's the RAN had used / were using pretty much all available 800 codes:
HS-748: 800-801
Wessex: 810-836
Tracker (E): 840-853
Tracker (G): 844-859
Macchi: 860-869
Skyhawk: 870-889
Kiowa: 890, 891, 892, 896, 899
Iroquois: 893, 894, 895, 897, 898
Sea King: 901-910

Aircraft codes from, lets say 1990 to now were / are:

HS-748: 800-801
Squirrel (ex-Army): 801, 811, 819-824
Seasprite: 840-850
Squirrel (Navy): 860-865
Seahawk: 870-885
Kiowa: 890, 892, 896, 031, 032
Sea King: 902, 905, 907, 909, 910, 920, 921, 922
A-109E: 501, 505, 510
Bell 429: 047, 048, 049
MRH-90: Will operate any 6 numbered between 001-046
MH-60R: 901-924

The exceptions to the rule have been the contractor supplied Agusta A-109E's & Bell 429's, which have used their manufacturers numbers (A109: 501, 505, 510; Bell 429: 047, 048, 049).
The MRH-90's do also use their manufacturer’s numbers as their side numbers. But that has more to do with the fact that all MRH-90's are pooled between Navy and Army, making the process of repainting airframes a costly undertaking to reflect who they may be operating with at any given time. Similar to why they will ALL operate in a camouflage scheme, instead of the Navy cabs being painted grey.
MH-60R will be coded 901-924. Which is nice to see, as a good proportion of those numbers were last used on the last ASW Helo we had with a dipping sonar capability the mighty Sea King!
Interesting to note that 2 Kiowas were operated (I think towards the end of RAN Kiowa OPS) with their Army codes 031 & 032, and operated at points in their Army Camo scheme. No 800 series codes were allocated.

[Brendan Cowan]

Nice Summary!


:D


BC

[Luig]

Jeff CHARTIER is the spelling of his name. Would someone be so kind as to change the spelling of Jeff's name please? Thanks.

http://www.adf-gallery.com.au/ran.htm

[Martin Edwards]

Sorry about the typo, my error.
I have corrected the spelling.
Just as well the Spotter has a spotter!

[Luig]

Thanks. I was looking for the diamonds.... :rolleyes: :lol: