Stupid question time!!!!!

[nvalbatri]

Albatros S/N D****/** ..... Is the /** the year made or the year ordered? U.S.A.F. serials first two digits are the fiscal year ordered. IE. 01742 would be the 742nd aircraft ordered in fiscal year 2001 though it may not come off the production line till 2012.

[Ransom E. Olds]

It's the year ordered. Ransom

[albatros1234]

yep it sure is

[Dan_San_Abbott]

Hi nvalbatri:
German serial number after 1915, commenced with 100 in each class plus the / and year ordered. In almost all cases the aircraft were completed in the year ordeed except those that were ordered in November and December in 1917 and 1918. for example you could have 100/16 for classes A,B,C,D,E and G. It became important that the aircraft type be added to the serial number,i.e. Fok.E.III 105/16. The E designates the Class and separates from all other.
Blue skies nvalbatri,
Dan-San