BUZZ
NUMBERS
The Explanations and Regulations Behind America's Military Aircraft
Identification System
Specialty Press, by Peter M. Bowers and David W. Menard
Reviewed by Alwyn Lloyd
This 96-page compendium packs a photographic wallop as it wends the
reader through the complex system of aircraft Buzz Numbers that was used
by both the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard between 1945 and the
mid-1960s. Through the first seven pages the authors reveal the progenitors
of the marking system and trace the early steps in markings.
Next the basic buzz number system is presented. This is followed by eight
chapters that systematically runs through every major aircraft category
and six miscellaneous types. To be complete, the book covers the exceptions
and oddities using 264 photographs, with each image of excellent quality.
The remaining 17 pages provide technical order substantiation for the
author's presentations.
This single volume will become the standard reference on this esoteric, but extremely visual, subject for historians and modelers alike. As usual the authors have maintained their professional aviation history standards.
Specialty Press' toll-free number is 1-800-895-4585.