Construction number locations (C-D)

From Scramble - The Aviation Magazine

Introduction

Construction numbers (c/n), also called Manufacturer Serial Numbers (MSN), are the prime way to identify a specific airframe. In contrast to the registration (or tail number), the c/n does not change, even when owner changes occur.

(note: all 'left' and 'right' indications are as you look from tail to nose).

Construction number locations

Manufacturers A to B

Manufacturers E to G

Manufacturers H to L

Manufacturers M

Manufacturers N to R

Manufacturers S

Manufacturers T to Z

National regulations

Contents 1 Introduction 2 Canadair 2.1 CL-215 & CL-415 3 Columbia 3.1 LC41-550FG 4 Comco-Ikarus 4.1 Ikarus C42 5 Dassault 5.1 Mirage III/5 5.2 Mirage 2000 5.3 Mirage F1 5.4 Rafale 6 Dassault-Breguet-Dornier 6.1 Alpha Jet 7 De Havilland 7.1 Vampire 8 De Havilland Canada 8.1 DHC-6 9 Diamond 9.1 DA 42 9.2 DA 50 10 Douglas 10.1 DC-3 & C-47 10.2 X-3 Stiletto

Canadair

CL-215 & CL-415

Most CL-215s, as well as some of the CL-415s, have the construction number plate mounted on the left-hand side fuselage, in front of the forward door, just below the cockpit window.

Columbia

LC41-550FG

The plate is situated on the fuselage below the lefthandside stabilizer.

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Comco-Ikarus

Ikarus C42

Factory built examples have the plate on a tube, behind the cargo hatch, which is situated on the left-hand side of the aircraft, just behind the cockpit.
On homebuilt examples, the construction number plate can we everywhere, as with all homebuilt, if there is one at all.

Dassault

Mirage III/5

Cn plates are in both main landing gear wheel wells, on the ceiling.

This one is on what is labeled as an IAI Nesher in the Israel Air Force Museum. It shows that this is actually the first Mirage 5J and the airframe was built by Aerospatiale! Next to the plate is the IAF serial number tag.

Mirage 2000

You can find the c/n plate in the Left Hand Main Landing Gear Bay. You need a torch to "read" this plate.

This plate is from Mirage 2000C serial 77, construction number is 317. The lower plate is the plate originating from the FUSELAGE build at Argenteuil.

Mirage F1

Several plates can be found on the forward bulkhead of the left main wheel bay. The lower plate has the series number ('customer number' or 'client number') punched in it, while the upper plate (or plates) is the fuselage plate, although they are without any identification. Unfortunately the forward door enclosing this bay is usually closed when the aircraft is standing on the ground, so the best way is to take a tele-picture from the small gap next to the undercarriage.

Series number 508, a Libyan AF Mirage F1ED.

Libyan AF Mirage F1BD, series number 204, with two fuselage plates.

Rafale

In the left main wheel bay, on the frame of the fuselage next to the forward door, two plates are mounted. The rear has the c/n number as well as the series number punched in it. Unfortunately the forward door enclosing this bay is usually closed when the aircraft is standing on the ground, so the best way is to take a tele-picture from the small gap next to the undercarriage.

Dassault-Breguet-Dornier

Alpha Jet

C/n-plates (also showing the acceptance date) can be found in both the inner sides of the main under carriage doors as well as in the nosewheel bay. The one in the nosewheel bay appears to be attached to the fuselage.

De Havilland

Vampire

Technically speaking the Vampire has no real construction number - as many contemporary British military aircraft. The closest thing to it, at least for the English Electric built examples, are the fuselage numbers, in the EEP4xxxx range. This plate can be found inside the cockpit, on the right side, just in front of the master switch. On older models it usually is clearly visible, but on later version sight is obstructed due to additional instruments.
Vampire's built by other factories, including De Havilland itself, may have a plate on the same spot, but this may not always show the c/n, but another part number.

De Havilland Canada

DHC-6

The plate is on the fuselage below the stabilizer on the left-hand side.

Diamond

DA 42

The plate is situated on the fuselage below the lefthandside stabilizer.

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DA 50

The plate is situated on the fuselage below the lefthandside stabilizer.

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Douglas

DC-3 & C-47

In the corridor towards the cockpit, on the right hand wall. Usually there are two plates there; the Douglas plate (noting down the factory/city might be useful) and the USAAC/USAAF plate which reads top to bottom the original type, the serial number and the order number. Note that the Douglas plate may be blank in some cases.

C-47A "306", formerly 42-93701.

C-47B "042/4X-FMJ"

X-3 Stiletto

The c/n plate of the X-3 is mounted inside the cockpit, on the right-hand side, just in front of the chair.