Austro-Hungarian serial numbers

[AHC-ED]

Can anyone explain -or direct me to the appropriate source- how the Austro-Hungarian method of numbering their aircraft. For example, there is a replica Albatros B.II with a serial number of "23.02" (I'm picking that it is Austro-Hungarian on the basis of the serial number format and the fact that the patee crosses on the fuselage and rudder are not outlined in white.)

[Kirk R. Lowry]

Bonjour AHC-ED!

The Austro-Hungarian system of aircraft numbering is unique ... and interesting.

Introduced in February, 1915 the method of classification was based on the manufacturer, the type and the particular airframe.

Each manufacturer was designated by a particular number as follows -
1 - Lohner
2 - Phönix
3 - Aviatik
4 - Lloyd
5 - Oeffag
6 - UFAG
7 - Fischamend
8 - W.K.F.
9 - M.A.G.
10 - Thöne & Fiala

The type was numbered consecutively - 1 being the first design, 2 being the second design, 3 being the third design ...

Each airframe built was numbered consecutively according to each manufacturer and type following a decimal point - .01, .02, .03 ...

Thus, if you know a number, the aircraft can be identified. Friedrich Hefty flew 38.04. Voila ... that is the fourth built of the eighth design of the manufacturer Aviatik.

The aircraft that you referred to, 23.02 was the second built of the third design manufactured by ... well, it is complicated by the fact that Oesterreichisch-Ungarische Albatros Werke was to become identified as Phönix.

As with any reasonable bureaucratic system there were complications. The Albatros D.III(Oef) being an example. Oeffag manufactured the Albatros D.III based upon a design from the office in several variants and each was given a different designation, 53, 153, 253 ... each being a version of the Oeffag type 3.

The logic inherent in the system was used to identify all aircraft employed. Foreign constructed aircraft were given designations determined by whether built by a manufacturer with an Austro-Hungarian office or bought from a manufacturer in a different country. Each manufacturer was given a number, the first digit of which was zero, to indicate the construction outside of Austria-Hungary, as follows -
01 - DFW
02 - Rumpler
03 - Fokker
04 - Fokker
05 - Hansa-Brandenburg
06 - Hansa-Brandenburg
07 - Friedrichshafen
08 - Gotha
09 - Albatros
010 - Anatra

Some foreign built aircraft and all captured aircraft were given a consecutive number following a decimal point preceded by zero zero, thus, Sopwith F.1 Camel P.6207 was given the designation 00.63.

A description of the system may be found in Air Aces of the Austro-Hungarian Empire 1914-1918 by O'Connor and much can be gleaned by perusing Austro-Hungarian Army Aircraft of World War One by Grosz, Haddow, Schiemer and Die Flugzeuge der k.u.k Luftahrtruppe und Seeflieger 1914-1918 by Hauke, Schroeder, Tötschinger.

In many ways the system is typical of Austria-Hungary ... both logical and confusing.

Salut!
Kirk

[AHC-ED]

You've quite taken my breath away! I hadn't expected such a comprehensive answer -it has certainly been very enlightening and will be very useful to me.

Thanks so much.

[FOKKERJ]

Thank you Kirk R. Lowry,

Very informative and very well done!!!!

Best Regards, Jay