Aircraft Inspection Stamps

Click on the manufacturer in the left hand column to see their 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.

 Download a inspection stamp PDF for offline use.

Beechcraft
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
Various Bendix, found on Bendix fuel control of Allison J-33 turbojetengine.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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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

Boeing or sub-contractor, found on B-47E gear door identiplates
Unk 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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
T-37, A-37B Cessna
Chance Vought - LTV
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
DHC-4 DeHavilland Canada, may appear on other DHC products.
Douglas
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
F6F Grumman, found on Hellcat wing fold casting
F6F

Grumman, found on Hellcat wing fold casting

F6F

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 Found on a small fraction of stamped parts at F9F-2 crash. Possibly sub-contract parts made by Republic
F8F, F9F-2 Grumman, Rhomboid "G", open rhombus
Hiller
Stamp Aircraft Comment
H-23 Hiller Helicopters
H-23 Hiller or sub-contractor for Hiller.Seen on H-23 Raven tail boom mount castings.
Kaman
Stamp Aircraft Comment
Kaman
Keystone
Stamp Aircraft Comment
Unk Keystone aircraft, variant unknown (Keystone was 1920s and 30s era military plane builder)
Lockheed
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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.
C-130 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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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 both XB-70 and X-15.
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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 (Including North American Aircraft Operations)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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 (Including Teledyne Ryan)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
Unk Ryan, seen on isolated part bearing newer form inked part number with 147 prefix.Probably later model drone.
Sikorsky
Stamp Aircraft Comment
HR2S Sikorsky, on mod plates of HR2S Helicopter
HSS-1 Sikorsky
Temco
Stamp Aircraft Comment
TT-1 Temco
TT-1 Temco
Vertol
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
R-2600 Wright Aeronautical
R-2600 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 Wright Aeronautical
J-65B-7 Wright Aeronautical
J-65B-7 Wright Aeronautical
J-65B-7 Wright Aeronautical
Miscellaneous stamps
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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)
Stamp Aircraft Comment
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
Stamp Aircraft Comment
Cessna Cessna light planes, examples seen were all inked, not indented.
Piper Piper light planes.Piper stamp is essentially indistinguishable from Piasecki helicopter stamp.