Aviation
Chinese Military Aircraft Numbering System
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Chinese Military Aircraft Numbering System
by Rick Kamer
PLAAF Special Air Units:
The Chinese Air Force and Naval Air Force use four digit registration numbers for special units, such as independent reconnaissance or special testing units. Fan Yuan Yen who defected to Taiwan on July 7, 1977 belonged to the Second Independent Reconnaissance Regiment
Many non-regular units use a four digit numbering system on the aircraft. These units may be independent regiments or groups or may belong to testing centers. Civil aircraft were area assigned to blocks within this matrix but as the number of civil airliners increased (falling into the 3xxx and 4xxx ranges) some numbers overlapped. This is not problematic since all civil aircraft use the letter B (B-4040) in conjunction with the registration number. It has been far more difficult to identify aircraft unit designators within this matrix. Most of the helicopter units formerly supported Army units. In the mid-1980s these assets were directly transferred to the Army and renumbered into the five-digit bort number matrix. The numbers with the four-digit bort number matrix have not been reused.
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1 |
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9 |
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Civil Aviation |
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1st IRR |
2nd IRR |
3rd IRR |
4th IRR |
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Z-5 |
Il-14 |
Special Missile Testing Unit |
Y-5 |
Z-5 |
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Y-5/Y-7 Lanzhou MR ITR |
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4th IBR |
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Li-2/Il-14 |
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Y-7 |
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Il-14 |
S-70C |
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Y-7 |
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Mi-4 |
Z-5 |
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1st Naval IR |
2nd Naval IR |
3rd Naval IR |
4th Naval IR |
5th Naval IR |
6th Naval IR |
7th Naval IR |
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Mi-6 |
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IR - Independent Regiment
IRR - Independent Reconnaissance Regiment
IBR - Independent Bomber Regiment
ITR - Independent Transport Regiment
Copyright © 2000-2001 Rick Kamer
All rights reserved.
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