RAF Serial Numbers - Re-used and Conflicting.

[Jagan]

While doing some data clean up on the CWGC Database, I have noted that the RAF ended up re-using serial numbers - either intentionally or unintentionally

A few cases for the record (Confirmed via Bruce Robertson's British Military Serials)

BJ574-BJ588 issued to Curtis Mohawk IV but - BJ575 was used by a British Swallow II, and BJ581-588 were used by Wellington IIIs
MA963-MA968 for 6 DH89 Rapide - but MA965 was used for a C-47 Dakota that went to the RIAF.
DP851 was issued to a Spitfire and a Miles Hawk Major
DP855 was issued to a mIles Whitney Straight and a Barracuda II

I am sure there are more such conflicts?

[Don Clark]

Suggest a deeper check closer to source will find addnl info, as for example the first case.

Halley Royal Air Force Aircraft BA100-BZ999
notes

"20 Curtiss Mohawk IVs deld Oct 40 from French contracts"
"BJ531 to BJ550..." individual histories (ie = the 20 a/c)
then
"BJ574 to BJ588 Not delivered"

Next

"BJ554 to BJ570 Grumman Martlet Is for Admiralty"

Next

"BA Swallow II impressed in Sep 1940
BJ575 CLE ex-G-AFGB soc 28 Aug 41"

Next

The set BJ581 to BJ588,
issued instead to the first eight of the 600 Vickers Wellington II s deld May-Dec 42
(then sequentially from BJ589 to BJ625 to the black-out block).

So I suggest, in this case at least, not delivered means no a/c deld so no RAF a/c taken on charge to carry the AM serials, rather than "issued to".
That is, the serials were not "issued to" then "re-issued" but were un-used and later re-allotted.

I don't have the other Halley vols to check the remainder.
They may well help, and so perhaps may Moss's Air Britain Impressments Log vols if you have them.

Interesting case, Jagan - good luck sifting through the others...