L-16 Boot Cowl Data Block Research

David Johnson · Post by **David Johnson** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:56

Does anyone know the meaning of the DEL 516 (L-16A) and DEL 5178 (L-16B) on the left side boot cowl data block? Attached is a history sheet from the military for Lloyd Thompson's L-16B. In one place it shows DL 5178, leaving the E out. It shows under project or lend lease requisition number. Lloyd thinks AGF is Army Ground Forces. Is this simply a contract number? Wondering if the same system was used with 0-58's or L-3s. We have been trying to make it a delivery or deletion number because of the del. The blueprints are 4-665 and 4-672. John Houser can't remember. I have emailed Bill P. We may be making a mountain out of a molehill, but we really want to know. Ideas anyone? Thanks for any help, David J.

Captgrumps · Post by **Captgrumps** » Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:39

On the L-16B it looks like Delivered to Army Ground Forces May 17, 1948.

They were still using the term Army Air Force and Army Ground Force then as the Air Force had just become a seperate branch of service and the total military confusion had not had time to mature.

Just my guess.

Doug