Trying to understand military part numbers!

Clive Elliott gives some clues about how most of the world’s military hardware is now codified, but also
reveals how the UK still uses its own special system.

When searching for parts and accessories for our vehicles, most of us will have at some time come across packets, boxes or even
crates that are marked with a thirteen-digit number. This rather unfriendly number is the NATO Stock Number (NSN) and is usually
hyphenated to break it into more manageable portions. If you are unlucky, there are no hyphens and this string of thirteen digits fuses
into a blur; and even familiar parts of the code may not be easily recognised.

It is easier to recognise the NSN written as 2815-99-806-1535 than 2815998061535, so why manufacturers ignore the ground rules I
do not know. There are three elements to the NSN, the first part identifies the type of equipment, the second part the country of origin
and the last part gives the item an identity that is unique.

The first digit group is called the NATO Supply Classification (NSC) and is based on a system developed by the USA for control of
items in its Defence and Public Sector inventories. This US system is called the Federal Supply Classification (FSC) and currently is
divided into 78 Groups. The Group represents the first two digits of the FSC (and of the NSN). The second pair of digits represents
the Class, and currently there are 642 Classes. The system allows for future expansion within Groups, and there is further capacity in
that Groups 21, 27, 33, 50, 57, 64, 82, 86, 90, 92, 97, and 98 are currently unassigned. The list below is derived from a classification
published in January 2001, as it runs to nearly 90 pages I have had to trim the detail down considerably. But I have still included all
the Groups & Classes so that even if an item is not for your vehicle it can be satisfying to know for what it was actually intended. Yes,
I know you are unlikely to find for sale 8820 (Live Animals) or even 1105 (Nuclear Bomb) but I have included it all for general
interest.

FEDERAL SUPPLY CLASSIFICATION

GROUP 10

Weapons
1005 Guns, up to 30mm
1010 Guns, over 30mm up to 75mm
1015 Guns, 75mm up to 125mm
1020 Guns, over 125mm up to 150mm
1025 Guns, over 150mm up to 200mm
1030 Guns, over 200mm up to 300mm
1035 Guns, over 300mm
1040 Chemical Weapons & Equipment
1045 Launchers, Torpedo & Depth Charges
1055 Launchers, Rocket & Pyrotechnic
1070 Nets & Booms, Ordnance
1075 Degaussing & Mine Sweeping Equipment
1080 Camouflage & Deception Equipment
1090 Assemblies Interchangeable Between Weapons in Two or More Classes
1095 Miscellaneous Weapons

GROUP 11

Nuclear Ordnance
1105 Nuclear Bombs
1110 Nuclear Projectiles
1115 Nuclear Warheads & Warhead
1120 Nuclear Depth Charges
1125 Nuclear Demolition Charges
1127 Nuclear Rockets
1130 Conversion Kits, Nuclear Ordnance
1135 Fusing & Firing Devices, Nuclear
1140 Nuclear Components
1145 Explosive & Pyrotechnic
1190 Specialised Test & Handling Equipment, Nuclear Ordnance
1195 Miscellaneous Nuclear Ordnance

GROUP 12

Fire Control Equipment

1210 Fire Control Directors
1220 Fire Control Computing Sights & Devices
1230 Fire Control Systems, Complete
1240 Optical Sighting & Ranging Equipment
1250 Fire Control Stabilising Mechanisms
1260 Fire Control Designating & Indicating Equipment
1265 Fire Control Transmitting & Receiving Equipment
1270 Aircraft Gunnery Fire Control Components
1280 Aircraft Bombing Fire Control
1285 Fire Control Radar Equipment
1287 Fire Control Sonar Equipment
1290 Miscellaneous Fire Control Equipment

GROUP 13

Ammunition and Explosives

1305 Ammunition, up to 30mm
1310 Ammunition, over 30mm up to 75mm
1315 Ammunition, 75mm up to 125mm
1320 Ammunition, over 125mm
1325 Bombs
1330 Grenades
1336 Guided Missile Warheads & Explosive Components
1337 Guided Missile & Space Vehicle Explosive Propulsion Units
1338 Guided Missile & Space Vehicle Inert
1340 Rockets, Rocket Ammunition & Rocket Components
1345 Land Mines
1350 Underwater Mines & Components, Inert
1351 Underwater Mines & Components
1352 Underwater Mine Disposal Inert
1353 Underwater Mine Disposal Explosive Devices
1355 Torpedoes & Components, Inert
1356 Torpedoes & Components, Explosive
1360 Depth Charges & Components, Inert
1361 Depth Charges & Components
1365 Military Chemical Agents
1370 Pyrotechnics
1375 Demolition Materials
1376 Bulk Explosives
1377 Cartridge & Propellant Actuated
1385 Surface Use Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tools & Equipment
1386 Underwater Use Explosive Ordnance
1390 Fuses & Primers
1395 Miscellaneous Ammunition
1398 Specialised Ammunition Handling & Servicing Equipment
GROUP 14

Guided Missiles
1410 Guided Missiles
1420 Guided Missile Components
1425 Guided Missile Systems, Complete
1427 Guided Missile Sub-systems
1430 Guided Missile Remote Control Systems
1440 Launchers, Guided Missile
1450 Guided Missile Handling & Servicing Equipment

GROUP 15

Aircraft and Airframe Structural Components

1510 Aircraft, Fixed Wing
1520 Aircraft, Rotary Wing
1540 Gliders
1550 Drones
1560 Airframe Structural Components

GROUP 16

Aircraft Components & Accessories

1610 Aircraft Propellers & Components
1615 Helicopter Rotor Blades, Drive
1620 Aircraft Landing Gear Components
1630 Aircraft Wheel & Brake Systems
1650 Aircraft Hydraulic, Vacuum, & De-icing System Components
1660 Aircraft Air Conditioning, Heating, & Pressurising Equipment
1670 Parachutes; Aerial Pick Up, Delivery, Recovery Systems; & Cargo Tie Down Equipment
1680 Miscellaneous Aircraft Accessories & Components

GROUP 17

Aircraft Launching, Landing, & Ground Handling Equipment

1710 Aircraft Landing Equipment.
1720 Aircraft Launching Equipment
1730 Aircraft Ground Servicing & Boarding Equipment
1740 Airfield Specialised Trucks and Trailers
GROUP 18

Space Vehicles
1810 Space Vehicles
1820 Space Vehicle Components
1830 Space Vehicle Remote Control Systems
1840 Space Vehicle Launchers
1850 Space Vehicle Handling & Servicing Equipment
1860 Space Survival Equipment

GROUP 19

Ships, Small Craft, Pontoons, & Floating Docks

1905 Combat Ships and Landing Vessels
1910 Transport Vessels, Passenger & Troop
1915 Cargo & Tanker Vessels
1920 Fishing Vessels
1925 Special Service Vessels
1930 Barges & Lighters, Cargo
1935 Barges & Lighters, Special Purpose
1940 Small Craft
1945 Pontoons & Floating Docks
1950 Floating Dry-docks
1955 Dredges
1990 Miscellaneous Vessels

GROUP 20

Ship & Marine Equipment

2010 Ship & Boat Propulsion Components
2020 Rigging & Rigging Gear
2030 Deck Machinery
2040 Marine Hardware & Hull Items
2050 Buoys
2060 Commercial Fishing Equipment
2090 Miscellaneous Ship & Marine Equipment

GROUP 22

Railway Equipment
2210 Locomotives
2220 Rail Cars
2230 Right-of-Way Construction & Maintenance Equipment, Railroad
2240 Locomotive & Rail Car Accessories & Components
2250 Track Material, Railroad
GROUP 23

Ground Effect Vehicles, Motor Vehicles, Trailers, & Cycles

2305 Ground Effect Vehicles
2310 Passenger Motor Vehicles
2320 Trucks & Truck Tractors, Wheeled
2330 Trailers
2340 Motorcycles, Motor Scooters, & Bicycles
2350 Combat, Assault, & Tactical Vehicles, Tracked

GROUP 24

Tractors
2410 Tractor, Full Tracked, Low Speed
2420 Tractors, Wheeled
2430 Tractors, Full Tracked, High Speed

GROUP 25

Vehicular Equipment Components

2510 Vehicular Cab, Body, & Frame Structural Components
2520 Vehicular Power Transmission Components
2530 Vehicular Brake, Steering, Axle, Wheel, & Track Components.
2540 Vehicular Furniture &Accessories
2541 Weapons Systems Specific Vehicular Accessories
2590 Miscellaneous Vehicular Components

GROUP 26

Tyres & Tubes

2610 Tyres & Tubes, Pneumatic, Except Aircraft
2620 Tyres & Tubes, Pneumatic, Aircraft
2630 Tyres, Solid & Cushion
2640 Tyre Rebuilding &Tyre and Tube
GROUP 28

Engines, Turbines, & Components

2805 Gasoline Reciprocating Engines,
2810 Gasoline Reciprocating Engines, Aircraft Prime Mover; & Components
2815 Diesel Engines & Components
2820 Steam Engines, Reciprocating; & Components
2825 Steam Turbines & Components
2830 Water Turbines & Water Wheels; and Components
2835 Gas Turbines & Jet Engines
2840 Gas Turbines & Jet Engines, Aircraft, Prime Moving; & Components
2845 Rocket Engines & Components
2850 Gasoline Rotary Engines & Components
2895 Miscellaneous Engines & Components

GROUP 29

Engine Accessories
2910 Engine Fuel System Components, Non-aircraft
2915 Engine Fuel System Components, Aircraft & Missile Prime Movers
2920 Engine Electrical System Components, Non-aircraft
2925 Engine Electrical System Components, Aircraft Prime Moving
2930 Engine Cooling System Components, Non-aircraft
2935 Engine System Cooling Components, Aircraft Prime Moving
2940 Engine Air and Oil Filters, Strainers, & Cleaners, Non-aircraft
2945 Engine Air and Oil Filters, Cleaners, Aircraft Prime Moving
2950 Turbosupercharger & Components
2990 Miscellaneous Engine Accessories, Non-aircraft
2995 Miscellaneous Engine Accessories, Aircraft

GROUP 30

Mechanical Power Transmission Equipment

3010 Torque Converters & Speed Changers
3020 Gears, Pulleys, Sprockets, & Transmission Chain
3030 Belting, Drive Belts, Fan Belts, & Accessories
3040 Miscellaneous Power Transmission Equipment

GROUP 31

Bearings
3110 Bearings, Anti-friction, Unmounted
3120 Bearings, Plain, Unmounted
3130 Bearings, Mounted
GROUP 32
Woodworking Machinery & Equipment
3210 Sawmill & Planing Mill Machinery
3220 Woodworking Machines
3230 Tools & Attachments for Woodworking Machinery

GROUP 34

Metalworking Machinery
3405 Saws & Filing Machines
3408 Machining Centres and Way-Type Machines
3410 Electrical & Ultrasonic Erosion Machines
3411 Boring Machines
3412 Broaching Machines
3413 Drilling & Tapping Machines
3414 Gear Cutting & Finishing Machines
3415 Grinding Machines
3416 Lathes
3417 Milling Machines
3418 Planers & Shapers
3419 Miscellaneous Machine Tools
3422 Rolling Mills & Drawing Machines
3424 Metal Heat Treating & Non-Thermal
3426 Metal Finishing Equipment
3431 Electric Arc Welding Equipment
3432 Electric Resistance Welding Equipment
3433 Gas Welding, Heat Cutting, & Metalising Equipment
3436 Welding Positioners & Manipulators
3438 Miscellaneous Welding Equipment
3439 Miscellaneous Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Supplies and Accessories
3441 Bending & Forming Machines
3442 Hydraulic & Pneumatic Presses, Power Driven
3443 Mechanical Presses, Power Driven
3444 Manual Presses
3445 Punching & Shearing Machines
3446 Forging Machinery & Hammers
3447 Wire & Metal Ribbon Forming Machines
3448 Riveting Machines
3449 Miscellaneous Secondary Metal Forming & Cutting Machines
3450 Machine Tools, Portable
3455 Cutting Tools for Machine Tools
3456 Cutting and Forming Tools for Secondary Metalworking Machinery
3460 Machine Tool Accessories
3461 Accessories for Secondary Metalworking Machinery
3465 Production Jigs, Fixtures, & Templates
3470 Machine Shop Sets, Kits, & Outfits

GROUP 35
Service & Trade Equipment
3510 Laundry & Dry Cleaning Equipment
3520 Shoe Repairing Equipment
3530 Industrial Sewing Machines & Mobile
3540 Wrapping & Packaging Machinery
3550 Vending & Coin Operated Machines
3590 Miscellaneous Service & Trade Equipment

GROUP 36
Special Industry Machinery
3605 Food Products Machinery & Equipment
3610 Printing, Duplicating, & Bookbinding Equipment
3611 Industrial Marking Machines
3615 Pulp & Paper Industries Machinery
3620 Rubber & Plastics Working Machinery
3625 Textile Industries Machinery
3630 Clay & Concrete Products Industries Machinery
3635 Crystal & Glass Industries Machinery
3640 Tobacco Manufacturing Machinery
3645 Leather Tanning and Leather Working Industries Machinery
3650 Chemical & Pharmaceutical
3655 Gas Generating & Dispensing Systems, Fixed or Mobile
3660 Industrial Size Reduction Machinery
3670 Specialised Semiconductor, Microcircuit, & Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing Machinery
3680 Foundry Machinery, Related Equipment & Supplies
3685 Specialised Metal Container Manufacturing Machinery & Related Equipment
3690 Specialised Ammunition & Ordnance Machinery & Related Equipment
3693 Industrial Assembly Machines
3694 Clean Work Stations, Controlled Environment, & Related Equipment
3695 Miscellaneous Special Industry Machinery

GROUP 37

Agricultural Machinery & Equipment

3710 Soil Preparation Equipment
3720 Harvesting Equipment
3730 Dairy, Poultry, & Livestock Equipment
3740 Pest, Disease, & Frost Control Equipment
3750 Gardening Implements & Tools
3770 Saddlery, Harness, Whips, & Related Animal Furnishings

GROUP 38

Construction, Mining, Excavating, & Highway Maintenance Equipment

3805 Earth Moving & Excavating Equipment
3810 Cranes & Crane-Shovels
3815 Crane and Crane-Shovel Attachments
3820 Mining, Rock Drilling, Earth Boring, & Related Equipment
3825 Road Clearing, Cleaning, & Marking Equipment
3830 Truck & Tractor Attachments
3835 Petroleum Production & Distribution Equipment
3895 Miscellaneous Construction Equipment

GROUP 39

Materials Handling Equipment

3910 Conveyors
3915 Materials Feeders
3920 Material Handling Equipment, Nonself-Propelled
3930 Warehouse Trucks and Tractors, Self-Propelled
3940 Blocks, Tackle, Rigging, & Slings
3950 Winches, Hoists, Cranes, & Derricks
3960 Freight Elevators
3990 Miscellaneous Materials Handling Equipment
GROUP 40

Rope, Cable, Chain, & Fittings

4010 Chain & Wire Rope
4020 Fibre Rope, Cordage, & Twine
4030 Fittings for Rope, Cable, & Chain

GROUP 41

Refrigeration, Air Conditioning, & Air Circulating Equipment

4110 Refrigeration Equipment
4120 Air Conditioning Equipment
4130 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Components
4140 Fans, Air Circulators, & Blower Equipment
4150 Vortex Tubes & Other Related Cooling Tubes

GROUP 42

Fire Fighting, Rescue, & Safety Equipment and Environmental Protection Equipment & Materials
4210 Fire Fighting Equipment
4220 Marine Lifesaving & Diving Equipment
4230 Decontaminating & Impregnating Equipment
4235 Hazardous Material Spill Containment & Clean-up Equipment & Material
4240 Safety & Rescue Equipment
4250 Recycling & Reclamation Equipment

GROUP 43

Pumps & Compressors

4310 Compressors & Vacuum Pumps
4320 Power & Hand Pumps
4330 Centrifugals, Separators, & Pressure & Vacuum Filters

GROUP 44

Furnace, Steam Plant, Drying Equipment & Nuclear Reactors

4410 Industrial Boilers
4420 Heat Exchangers & Steam Condensers
4430 Industrial Furnaces, Kilns, Lehrs, & Ovens
4440 Dryers, Dehydrators, & Anhydrators
4460 Air Purification Equipment
4470 Nuclear Reactors
GROUP 45

Plumbing, Heating, & Waste Disposal Equipment

4510 Plumbing Fixtures & Accessories
4520 Space & Water Heating Equipment
4530 Fuel Burning Equipment Units
4540 Waste Disposal Equipment

GROUP 46

Water Purification & Sewage Treatment Equipment

4610 Water Purification Equipment
4620 Water Distillation Equipment, Marine & Industrial
4630 Sewage Treatment Equipment

GROUP 47
Pipe, Tubing, Hose, & Fittings
4710 Pipe, Tube & Rigid Tubing
4720 Hose & Flexible Tubing
4730 Hose, Pipe, Tube, Lubrication, & Railing Fittings

GROUP 48
Valves
4810 Valves, Powered
4820 Valves, Non-powered

GROUP 49

Maintenance & Repair Shop Equipment

4910 Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Shop Specialised Equipment
4920 Aircraft Maintenance & Repair Shop Specialised Equipment
4921 Torpedo Maintenance, Repair, & Checkout Specialised Equipment
4923 Depth Charges & Underwater Mines
4925 Ammunition Maintenance, Repair, & Checkout Specialised Equipment
4927 Rocket Maintenance, Repair & Checkout Specialised Equipment
4930 Lubrication & Fuel Dispensing Equipment
4931 Fire Control Maintenance & Repair Shop Specialised Equipment
4933 Weapons Maintenance & Repair Shop Specialised Equipment
4935 Guided Missile Maintenance, Repair, & Checkout Specialised Equipment
4940 Miscellaneous Maintenance & Repair Shop Specialised Equipment
4960 Space Vehicle Maintenance, Repair, & Checkout Specialised Equipment
4970 Multiple Guided Weapons, Specialised Maintenance & Repair Shop Equipment
GROUP 51

Hand Tools
5110 Hand Tools, Edged, Non-powered
5120 Hand Tools, Non-edged, Non-powered
5130 Hand Tools, Power Driven
5133 Drill Bits, Counterbores, and Countersinks
5136 Taps, Dies, & Collets
5140 Tool & Hardware Boxes
5180 Sets, Kits, & Outfits of Hand Tools

GROUP 52

Measuring Tools
5210 Measuring Tools, Craftsmen’s
5220 Inspection Gages & Precision Layout Tools
5280 Sets, Kits, & Outfits of Measuring Tools

GROUP 53

Hardware & Abrasives

5305 Screws
5306 Bolts
5307 Studs
5310 Nuts & Washers
5315 Nails, Machine Keys, and Pins
5320 Rivets
5325 Fastening Devices
5330 Packing & Gasket Materials
5331 O-Rings
5335 Metal Screening
5340 Hardware, Commercial
5341 Brackets
5342 Hardware, Weapon System
5345 Disks & Stones, Abrasive
5350 Abrasive Materials
5355 Knobs and Pointers
5360 Coil, Flat, Leaf, & Wire Springs
5365 Bushings, Rings, Shims, & Spacers

GROUP 54

Prefabricated Structures & Scaffolding

5410 Prefabricated & Portable Buildings
5411 Rigid Wall Shelters
5419 Collective Modular Support System
5420 Bridges, Fixed and Floating
5430 Storage Tanks
5440 Scaffolding Equipment & Concrete Forms
5445 Prefabricated Tower Structures
5450 Miscellaneous Prefabricated Structures
GROUP 55
Lumber, Millwork, Plywood, & Veneer
5510 Lumber & Related Basic Wood Materials
5520 Millwork
5530 Plywood and Veneer

GROUP 56
Construction & Building Materials
5610 Mineral Construction Materials, Bulk
5620 Tile, Brick & Block
5630 Pipe and Conduit, Non-metallic
5640 Wallboard, Building Paper, & Thermal Insulation Materials
5650 Roofing & Siding Materials
5660 Fencing, Fences, Gates & Components
5670 Building Components, Prefabricated
5675 Non-wood Construction Lumber & Related Materials
5680 Miscellaneous Construction Materials

GROUP 58

Communication, Detection, & Coherent Radiation Equipment

5805 Telephone & Telegraph Equipment
5810 Communications Security Equipment & Components
5811 Other Cryptologic Equipment & Components
5815 Teletype & Facsimile Equipment
5820 Radio & Television Communication Equipment, Except Airborne
5821 Radio & Television Communication Equipment, Airborne
5825 Radio Navigation Equipment, Except Airborne
5826 Radio Navigation Equipment, Airborne
5830 Intercommunication & Public Address Systems
5831 Intercommunication & Public Address Systems, Airborne
5835 Sound Recording & Reproducing Equipment
5836 Video Recording & Reproducing Equipment
5840 Radar Equipment, Except Airborne
5841 Radar Equipment, Airborne
5845 Underwater Sound Equipment
5850 Visible & Invisible Light Communication Equipment
5855 Night Vision Equipment, Emitted & Reflected Radiation
5860 Stimulated Coherent Radiation Devices, Components, & Accessories
5865 Electronic Countermeasures, Counter-Countermeasures & Quick Reaction Capability Equipment
5895 Miscellaneous Communication Equipment

GROUP 59

Electrical & Electronic Equipment Components

5905 Resistors
5910 Capacitors
5915 Filters & Networks
5920 Fuses, Arrestors, Absorbers, & Protectors
5925 Circuit Breakers
5930 Switches
5935 Connectors, Electrical
5940 Lugs, Terminals, & Terminal Strips
5945 Relays & Solenoids
5950 Coils & Transformers
5955 Oscillators & Piezoelectric Crystals
5960 Electron Tubes & Associated Hardware
5961 Semiconductor Devices & Associated Hardware
5962 Microcircuits, Electronic
5963 Electronic Modules
5965 Headsets, Handsets, Microphones & Speakers
5970 Electrical Insulators & Insulating Materials
5975 Electrical Hardware & Supplies
5977 Electrical Contact Brushes & Electrodes
5980 Optoelectronic Devices & Associated Hardware
5985 Antennas, Waveguides, & Related Equipment
5990 Synchros & Resolvers
5995 Cable, Cord, & Wire Assemblies: Communication Equipment
5996 Amplifiers
5998 Electrical and Electronic Assemblies, Boards, Cards, & Associated Hardware
5999 Miscellaneous Electrical & Electronic Components

GROUP 60
Fibre Optics Materials, Components, Assemblies, & Accessories
6010 Fibre Optic Conductors
6015 Fibre Optic Cables
6020 Fibre Optic Cable Assemblies & Harnesses
6021 Fibre Optic Switches
6030 Fibre Optic Devices
6032 Fibre Optic Light Sources & Photo Detectors
6035 Fibre Optic Light Transfer & Image Transfer Devices
6060 Fibre Optic Interconnectors
6070 Fibre Optic Accessories & Supplies
6080 Fibre Optic Kits & Sets
6099 Miscellaneous Fibre Optic Components

GROUP 61

Electric Wire, Power & Distribution Equipment

6105 Motors, Electrical
6110 Electrical Control Equipment
6115 Generators & Generator Sets, Electrical
6116 Fuel Cell Power Units, Components, & Accessories
6117 Solar Electric Power Systems
6120 Transformers: Distribution & Power Station
6125 Converters, Electrical, Rotating
6130 Converters, Electrical, Non-rotating
6135 Batteries, Non-rechargeable
6140 Batteries, Rechargeable
6145 Wire and Cable, Electrical
6150 Miscellaneous Electric Power & Distribution Equipment
6160 Miscellaneous Battery Retaining Fixtures & Liners

GROUP 62

Lighting Fixtures & Lamps

6210 Indoor & Outdoor Electric Lighting Fixtures
6220 Electric Vehicular Lights & Fixtures
6230 Electric Portable & Hand Lighting Equipment
6240 Electric Lamps
6250 Ballasts, Lampholders, & Starters
6260 Non-electrical Lighting Fixtures
GROUP 63

Alarm, Signal & Security Detection Systems

6310 Traffic & Transit Signal Systems
6320 Shipboard Alarm & Signal Systems
6330 Railroad Signal & Warning Devices
6340 Aircraft Alarm & Signal Systems
6350 Miscellaneous Alarm, Signal, & Security Detection Systems

GROUP 65

Medical, Dental, Veterinary Equipment & Supplies

6505 Drugs & Biologicals
6508 Medicated Cosmetics & Toiletries
6509 Drugs and Biologicals, Veterinary Use
6510 Surgical Dressing Materials
6515 Medical & Surgical Instruments, Equipment, & Supplies
6520 Dental Instruments, Equipment, & Supplies
6525 X-ray Equipment & Supplies
6530 Hospital Furniture, Equipment, Utensils, & Supplies
6532 Hospital & Surgical Clothing & Related Special Purpose Items
6540 Ophthalmic Instruments, Equipment, & Supplies
6545 Replenishable Field Medical Sets, Kits, & Outfits
6550 In Vitro Diagnostic Substances, Reagents, Test Kits & Sets

GROUP 66

Instruments & Laboratory Equipment

6605 Navigational Instruments
6610 Flight Instruments
6615 Automatic Pilot Mechanisms & Airborne Gyro Components
6620 Engine Instruments
6625 Electrical & Electronic Properties
6630 Chemical Analysis Instruments
6635 Physical Properties Testing & Inspection
6636 Environmental Chambers & Related Equipment
6640 Laboratory Equipment & Supplies
6645 Time Measuring Instruments
6650 Optical Instruments, Test Equipment
6655 Geophysical Instruments
6660 Meteorological Instruments & Apparatus
6665 Hazard-Detecting Instruments & Apparatus
6670 Scales & Balances
6675 Drafting, Surveying, & Mapping Instruments
6680 Liquid & Gas Flow, Liquid Level, & Mechanical Motion Measuring Instruments
6685 Pressure, Temperature, & Humidity Measuring & Controlling Instruments
6695 Combination & Miscellaneous Instruments
GROUP 67

Photographic Equipment
6710 Cameras, Motion Picture
6720 Cameras, Still Picture
6730 Photographic Projection Equipment
6740 Photographic Developing & Finishing Equipment
6750 Photographic Supplies
6760 Photographic Equipment & Accessories
6770 Film, Processed
6780 Photographic Sets, Kits, & Outfits

GROUP 68

Chemicals & Chemical Products

6810 Chemicals
6820 Dyes
6830 Gases: Compressed & Liquefied
6840 Pest Control Agents and Disinfectants
6850 Miscellaneous Chemical Specialities

GROUP 69

Training Aids & Devices

6910 Training Aids
6920 Armament Training Devices
6930 Operation Training Devices
6940 Communication Training Devices

GROUP 70

Automatic Data Processing Equipment, Software, Supplies & Support Equipment

7010 ADPE System Configuration
7020 ADP Central Processing Unit, Analogue
7021 ADP Central Processing Unit, Digital
7022 ADP Central Processing Unit, Hybrid
7025 ADP Input/Output and Storage Devices
7030 ADP Software
7035 ADP Support Equipment
7040 Punched Card Equipment
7042 Mini & Micro Computer Control Devices
7045 ADP Supplies
7050 ADP Components
GROUP 71

Furniture
7105 Household & Camping Furniture
7110 Office Furniture
7125 Cabinets, Lockers, Bins, & Shelving
7195 Miscellaneous Furniture & Fixtures

GROUP 72
Household & Commercial Furnishings & Appliances
7210 Household Furnishings
7220 Floor Coverings
7230 Draperies, Awnings, & Shades
7240 Household & Commercial Utility Containers
7290 Miscellaneous Household & Commercial Furnishings & Appliances

GROUP 73

Food Preparation & Serving Equipment

7310 Food Cooking, Baking, & Serving Equipment
7320 Kitchen Equipment & Appliances
7330 Kitchen Hand Tools & Utensils
7340 Cutlery & Flatware
7350 Tableware
7360 Sets, Kits, Outfits & Modules, Food Preparation & Serving

GROUP 74

Office Machines, Text Processing Systems & Visible Record Equipment

7420 Accounting & Calculating Machines
7430 Typewriters & Office Type Composing Machines
7435 Office Information System Equipment
7450 Office Type Sound Recording & Reproducing Machines
7460 Visible Record Equipment
7490 Miscellaneous Office Machines

GROUP 75

Office Supplies & Devices

7510 Office Supplies
7520 Office Devices & Accessories
7530 Stationery & Record Forms
7540 Standard Forms
GROUP 76

Books, Maps, & Other Publications

7610 Books & Pamphlets
7630 Newspapers & Periodicals
7640 Maps, Atlases, Charts, & Globes
7641 Aeronautical Maps, Charts & Geodetic Products
7642 Hydrographic Maps, Charts & Geodetic Products
7643 Topographic Maps, Charts & Geodetic Products
7644 Digital Maps, Charts & Geodetic Products
7650 Drawings & Specifications
7660 Sheet & Book Music
7670 Microfilm, Processed
7690 Miscellaneous Printed Matter

GROUP 77

Musical Instruments, Phonographs, & Home-Type Radios

7710 Musical Instruments
7720 Musical Instrument Parts & Accessories
7730 Phonographs, Radios, & Television
7740 Phonograph Records

GROUP 78
Recreational & Athletic Equipment
7810 Athletic & Sporting Equipment
7820 Games, Toys, & Wheeled Goods
7830 Recreational & Gymnastic Equipment

GROUP 79
Cleaning Equipment & Supplies
7910 Floor Polishers & Vacuum Cleaning Equipment
7920 Brooms, Brushes, Mops, & Sponges
7930 Cleaning & Polishing Compounds & Preparations

GROUP 80

Brushes, Paints, Sealers, & Adhesives

8010 Paints, Dopes, Varnishes, & Related Products
8020 Paint & Artist’s Brushes
8030 Preservative & Sealing Compounds
8040 Adhesives
GROUP 81

Containers, Packaging, & Packing Supplies

8105 Bags & Sacks
8110 Drums & Cans
8115 Boxes, Cartons, & Crates
8120 Commercial & Industrial Gas
8125 Bottles and Jars
8130 Reels & Spools
8135 Packaging & Packing Bulk Materials
8140 Ammunition & Nuclear Ordnance Boxes, Packages & Special Containers
8145 Specialised Shipping & Storage Containers
.

GROUP 83

Textiles, Leather, Furs, Apparel & Shoe Findings, Tents & Flags
8305 Textile Fabrics
8310 Yarn & Thread
8315 Notions & Apparel Findings
8320 Padding & Stuffing Materials
8325 Fur Materials
8330 Leather
8335 Shoe Findings & Soling Materials
8340 Tents & Tarpaulins
8345 Flags & Pennants

GROUP 84

Clothing, Individual Equipment, & Insignia

8405 Outerwear, Men’s
8410 Outerwear, Women’s
8415 Clothing, Special Purpose
8420 Underwear & Nightwear, Men’s
8425 Underwear & Nightwear, Women’s
8430 Footwear, Men’s
8435 Footwear, Women’s
8440 Hosiery, Handwear, & Clothing Accessories, Men’s
8445 Hosiery, Handwear, & Clothing Accessories, Women’s
8450 Children’s & Infant’s Apparel and Accessories
8455 Badges & Insignia
8460 Luggage
8465 Individual Equipment
8470 Armour, Personal
8475 Specialised Flight Clothing & Accessories

GROUP 85
Toiletries
8510 Perfumes, Toilet Preparations, & Powders
8520 Toilet Soap, Shaving Preparations, & Dentifrices
8530 Personal Toiletry Articles
8540 Toiletry Paper Products
GROUP 87
Agricultural Supplies
8710 Forage & Feed
8720 Fertilisers
8730 Seeds & Nursery Stock

GROUP 88

Live Animals
8810 Live Animals, Raised for Food
8820 Live Animals, Not Raised for Food

GROUP 89

Subsistence
8905 Meat, Poultry, & Fish
8910 Dairy Foods & Eggs
8915 Fruits & Vegetables
8920 Bakery & Cereal Products
8925 Sugar, Confectionery, & Nuts
8930 Jams, Jellies, & Preserves
8935 Soups & Bouillons
8940 Special Dietary Foods & Food
8945 Food, Oils & Fats
8950 Condiments & Related Products
8955 Coffee, Tea, & Cocoa
8960 Beverages, Non-alcoholic
8965 Beverages, Alcoholic
8970 Composite Food Packages
8975 Tobacco Products

GROUP 91

Fuels, Lubricants, Oils, & Waxes

9110 Fuels, Solid
9130 Liquid Propellants & Fuels, Petroleum Base
9135 Liquid Propellant Fuels & Oxidisers, Chemical Base
9140 Fuel Oils
9150 Oils and Greases: Cutting, Lubricating, & Hydraulic
9160 Miscellaneous Waxes, Oils, and Fats
GROUP 93
Non-metallic Fabricated Materials
9310 Paper & Paperboard
9320 Rubber Fabricated Materials
9330 Plastics Fabricated Materials
9340 Glass Fabricated Materials
9350 Refractories & Fire Surfacing Materials
9390 Miscellaneous Fabricated Non-metallic Materials

GROUP 94
Non-metallic Crude Materials
9410 Crude Grades of Plant Materials
9420 Fibres: Vegetable, Animal, & Synthetic
9430 Miscellaneous Crude Animal Products, Inedible
9450 Non-metallic Scrap, Except Textile

GROUP 95

Metal Bars, Sheets, and Shapes

9505 Wire, Non-electrical
9510 Bars & Rods
9515 Plate, Sheet, Strip, Foil, & Leaf
9520 Structural Shapes
9525 Wire, Non-electrical, Non-ferrous Base Metal
9530 Bars & Rods, Non-ferrous Base Metal
9535 Plate, Sheet, Strip, & Foil
9540 Structural Shapes, Non-ferrous Base Metal
9545 Plate, Sheet, Strip, Foil, & Wire, Precious Metal

GROUP 96

Ores, Minerals, & Their Primary Products

9610 Ores
9620 Minerals, Natural & Synthetic
9630 Additive Metal Materials
9640 Iron & Steel Primary & Semi-finished Products
9650 Non-ferrous Base Metal Refinery & Intermediate Forms
9660 Precious Metals Primary Forms
9670 Iron & Steel Scrap
9680 Non-ferrous Scrap
GROUP 99

Miscellaneous
9905 Signs, Advertising Displays, & Identification Plates
9910 Jewellery
9915 Collector’s &/or Historical Items
9920 Smoker’s Articles & Matches
9925 Ecclesiastical Equipment, Furnishings, & Supplies
9930 Memorials: Cemeterial & Mortuary
9999 Miscellaneous: only those items which cannot conceivably be classified in any existing classes!

The second digit group of the NSN indicates the country providing the codification. The country that manufactures the item codifies
it, even if the item is not used in that country. Participating countries through their National Codification Bureau (NCB) are allocated
a digit pair. This allows each country to have 10 million unique NSNs, although Canada and the USA each have an additional code
that allows them 20 million NSNs each. From the list of NCBs it will be seen that the participating countries are not all part of NATO.
Armed forces, governments and arms manufacturers have recognised the great savings to be made in having equipment and spares
that can be reliably identified and sourced.

NATION CODES (TIER 2 SPONSORSHIP)

00 & 01 United States
09 NAMSA (see below)
11 NATO
12 Germany
13 Belgium
14 France
15 Italy
16 Czech Republic
17 Netherlands
18 South Africa (see below)
20 & 21 Canada
22 Denmark
23 Greece
24 Iceland
25 Norway
26 Portugal
27 Turkey
28 Luxembourg
32 Singapore
33 Spain
34 Malaysia
43 Poland
51 Hungary
66 Australia
98 New Zealand
99 United Kingdom
NAMSA is the NATO Maintenance & Supply Agency in Luxembourg which can codify an identical item should it be produced in
more than one country. South Africa is not officially listed, however I have recently seen re-manufactured AFV equipment from
South Africa marked with this Nation Code. The counties listed above are NATO members or have achieved ‘Tier 2 Sponsorship’ and
can not only receive details of NSNs but can produce their own codified products. There is a ‘Tier 1 Sponsorship’ which only entitles
participants to receive NSNs, they cannot codify items and hence do not have a NCB and the associated two-digit figure. The list
includes a wide range of countries far removed from the sphere of NATO.

TIER 1 SPONSORSHIP COUNTRIES

Argentina
Austria
Brazil
Bulgaria
Chile
Croatia
Estonia
Fiji
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)
Kuwait
Latvia
Lithuania
Malaysia
Oman
Philippines
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Slovenia
Thailand
Tonga
United Arab Emirates

The final digit group of the NSN comprises the non-specific number. For ease of recognition this group of 7 digits is usually
expressed as a 3 + 4 group. The numbers are selected by computer of the codifying country, other than providing a unique identity for
an item there is no meaning to the number. There is no incorporation of manufacturer’s number or anything like that. If you see
similar numbers in a parts list for instance, it just means the items happened to be codified at a similar time.

Here is an example of an NSN; the item being a screw used in the periscope of a Mk 1 Humber Pig.

5305-99-941-9377 = NATO Stock Number (NSN)

5305- = NATO Supply Classification (NSC)
53 = NSC Group
05- = NSC Class
-99- = National Codification Bureau (NCB)
-941-9377 = Non-significant number
-99-941-9377 = NATO Item Identification Number (NIIN)

An additional use of the NSC (=FSC) is that the Army now uses this as the first part of the title of technical documents called Army
Equipment Support Publications (AESPs). Unlike EMERs (Electrical & Mechanical Engineering Regulations) which covered only
repair, maintenance, inspection and modifications, the AESPs also cover user handbooks, parts books, servicing etc. So that any
AESP for example a trailer would start 2330, or a motorcycle would start 2340.

The old British Army system of cataloguing parts was known as VAOS (Vocabulary of Army Ordnance Stores) a system that evolved
following the Crimean War. This system had a quaint logic incorporating very often the manufacturer’s part number and categories
that were defined by both letters and numbers. VAOS started to be superseded in 1956 when NATO adopted the NATO Codification
System. But with millions of stores items to be codified a large number VAOS codes were to remain in circulation for many years.
To aid recognition, the first part of the VAOS code was retained and placed in front of the new NATO code. Although this should not
have been strictly necessary, it was meant to encourage a familiarity with the new code groups. By the time all the entries in VAOS
had been NATO codified, the listings had become Catalogues of Ordnance Stores and Ammunition (COSA). VAOS were ‘Army
Coded Publications’. The replacement COSA shared the same Army Code No. of the VAOS it superseded.

Because the new and old systems were for many years running in tandem, the new NSNs were still catalogued according to the first
part of the old VAOS sections. It was realised that if the addition of a few characters from the old VAOS system increased the
accuracy of a demand for an item it was worthwhile. So in the example used for the item in the Pig periscope, the NSN strictly is
5305-99-941-9377, however in the parts list it appears as G1/5305-99-941-9377. I find it much easier to recognise that ‘G1’ is a screw
rather than because it is ‘5305’.

Domestic Management Codes

The first part of the VAOS/COSA sections are now known as Domestic Management Codes (DMCs). They are not only of practical
value but represent an element of independence by the British Army in a world of increasing uniformity. The DMCs I have listed
include not only current codes, but also some wartime VAOS sections that have not survived. I have included as many as possible so
that anyone who has a spare part that is not NATO codified can at least see under which section their VAOS item was catalogued.
Many codes have changed their definitions, and I have tended to use the latest version of the code. This occurs with the modernisation
of equipment and with metrication. It may seem curious that some sections should become obsolete, but it does not necessarily mean
that the equipment itself is obsolete, only that it has been re-catalogued into another section.

The most logical presentation would have been to have lists of stores items that are categorised according to their type and the date
when the list was issued. However this would have meant many dozens of lists would have to be scoured to identify a particular item.
So for ease of reference I have listed the sections alphabetically, irrespective of date, this has meant there is intermingling of stores
groupings. Although originally derived from the old VAOS catalogues, DMCs continue to expand, an acknowledgement that human
beings can recognised a small group of letters more readily than a large number. In recent years there has been a tendency to choose a
DMC that is easily identifiable as belonging to its parent equipment. But this tends to disrupt the structure of many sections; eg JAVE
for Javelin (missile) ends up with tents and camp cookers.

This listing is compiled from catalogues, and from catalogues of catalogues covering wartime documents through to current
publications. I am lucky in that I am allowed to purchase documents directly from the MOD, but you need security clearance to do
this, and delivery can vary from one month to one year! From these I have trawled through several thousand pages often finding
entries that have not been recorded in the main catalogues. I have marked sections as obsolete only where I have written evidence of it
being so, it may well be that are some others that are obsolete. In recent years subgroups have been created as a number in front of the
main group eg V5 has subgroup 3V5, W10 has 3W10. What also is apparent is an increasing number of errors that occur in the more
modern documents that presumably are complied on computer and not checked properly, I hope have managed to exclude most of
these!

DOMESTIC MANAGEMENT CODES & VAOS/COSA SECTIONS

A1 Obsolete All Web Equipment, Bandoliers, Steel Helmets, Musical Instruments
A1 Musical Instruments & Bagpipes Spares
A2 Obsolete Anti-Gas Stores
A2 NBC Defence Stores (other than radiac equipment)
A3 Mountain & Snow Warfare Equipment
A31 Mountains & Arctic Warfare Equipment
A4 Airborne Equipment.
A5 Obsolete Assault & Commando Equipment (later became incorporated into A3)
A6 Obsolete Jungle Warfare Equipment (later became incorporated into A3)
A7 Obsolete Outfits Tactical Training & Models Aircraft
AC Army Coded Publications
ADAD Air Defence Alerting Device System
AEQPT Mining, Rock Drilling, Earth Boring, & Related Equipment
ASH Computer Information System for Bomb Disposal
ASP Advanced Sound-Ranging Project
AUSO Gun 175mm SP, Gun 155mm SP (M44), 8in Howitzer
B1 Small Arms & their Components
B2 Small Arms, Armourer’s Tools & Training Aids.
B3 Machine Carbines & Accessories
B4 Individual Weapon & Light Support Weapon 5.56mm
B5 Tactical Illumination Systems
BMETS Battlefield Meteorological System & Associated Stores (BMETS)
C1 Machine Guns & Accessories (General Service use)
C2 Machine Guns & Accessories (AFV use)
C3 Obsolete Bicycles
CITEM General Purpose Automatic Test Equipment
COBRA Counter Battery Radar System
CORMOR Non-vehicular Items of CORMORANT
CORVEH CORMORANT Vehicle
CREMSK Royal Engineers, Misc Construction Eqipment

C Catalogue of Clothing & Necessaries

CA Tailors Tools, Cloth & Trimming Tools.
CB Badges of Rank Service Organisation & Qualification
CC Clothing, Pyjamas, Suitcases, Mirrors, Spurs
CD Footwear (Protective Non Combat)
CE Ceremonial Equipment
CF Headwear
CG Combat Dress (Footwear & Related Ancillaries, Knives, Earplugs)
CH Obsolete Tropical Clothing, Waterproof Clothing & Miscellaneous Articles
CH Hospital, Protective, Waterproof Clothing, Trousers Barrack Dress & LtWt
CJ Obsolete Anti-Gas Clothing
CK Obsolete Service Uniforms, Handwear, Headwear, Hosiery (Women)
CL Obsolete Spare
CM Cold Climate Clothing.
CN Accoutrements, Webbing, Armoured Vests, Rucksack, Mess Tins & Steel Helmets.
CO Obsolete Demobilsed Servicemen’s Clothing & Footwear
CO Officer’s Clothing & Necessaries
CP Service Uniform (Men) No.1,2,3,6 & 7 Dress
CQ CR CS Absorbed into Sections CP & CY
CT Bulk Textiles of C & T concern
CV Obsolete Clothing & Uniforms, Duke of York’s Royal Military School; Queen Victoria School; Royal Hospital Chelsea;
Civilian Employees
CV Uniforms for Civilians, Police, Fire Brigade etc
CW Obsolete WAAC Clothing
CY Ceremonial Uniforms Full Dress

D1 Harness & Saddlery

D2 Spare
DENT Dental
DIANA Diana Test Equipment & Associated Spares
E0 Bridges, Fixed and Floating
E1 Obsolete Carts & Wagons
E2 Obsolete Pontoon Bridging Equipment
E3 Lifting & Transporting Gear
E4 Obsolete Vessel & Boat Equipment
E5 Obsolete Railway Stores
E6 Locomotives, Railcars, Railway Breakdown Equipment
EN Obsolete Royal Engineers, Bridging, Fixed
EO Obsolete Royal Engineers, Bridging, Floating Rafts & Ferries
EP Obsolete Royal Engineers, Bridging, Ancillary Equipment
ES(part) Obsolete Royal Engineers, Fieldworks & Miscellaneous Materiel
ES(part) Obsolete Royal Engineers, Roads & Airfields Prefabricated Surfaceing Materiel
ET Obsolete Royal Engineers, Small Craft
F1 Hand Tools (Non-Powered)
F2 Defence Stores (eg sandbags, shelters, barbed wire etc)
F3 Storehouse Equipment (eg ladders, pallets, stencil cutters etc)
F6 Industrial Gases & Associated Equipment
FS Obsolete Royal Engineers, Miscellaneous Construction Equipment
FN Obsolete Royal Engineers, Water Supply & Distribution Materiel
FR Obsolete Royal Engineers, Pumps & Pumping Sets
FU Obsolete Royal Engineers, Petroleum Production & Distribution Equipment
FUCHS FUCHS Reconnaisance Vehicle
G1 Part 1 Bolts (later Metric Fasteners inc. grommets, pins, rivets etc)
G1 Part 2 Screws (later inc Miscellaneous Hardware)
G1 Part 3 Commonality Inserts, Nuts, Studs & Metal Washers (later BA Fasteners)
G1 Part 4 Nails, Padlocks, Hinges, Staples, Rivets & Misc Hardware (later Unified Fasteners)
G1 Part 5 Bolts, Screws, Nuts etc BSF & BSW
G1/XB Rustproof versions of G1
G2 Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Metals (inc. sheets, rods, tubing, solder, welding electrodes)
GP14 Guided Missile Remote Control Systems
H1 Part 1 Paints, Dopes and Varnishes [earlier called Part (a)]
H1 Part 2 Abrasives, Industrial Chemicals, etc [earlier called Part (b)]
H1 Part 3 Containers (Acids, Paints & Chemical) [earlier called Part (d)]
H1 Part (c) Obs Oils, Greases & Preservatives
H2 Part 1 Obs Textiles
H2 Part 2 Obs Cordage, Twine, Rubber & Plastic Sheeting
H2 Plastics
H21 Cordage & Textiles
H3 Timber
H4 Boxes, Cartons & Wooden Packing Cases
H5 Obsolete Targets & Stores for Musketry Instruction
H5 Camouflage Equipment
H6 Laboratory Equipment
H7 Laboratory & Photographic Equipment (earlier also Laboratory Chemicals)
H8 Flags
H9 General Purpose Packing & Gasket Materials. Grommets & Fibre Washers
HN Obsolete Royal Engineers, Construction Materiel
HO Obsolete Royal Engineers, Construction Materiel
HP(part) Obsolete Royal Engineers, Construction Materiel
HP(part) Obsolete Royal Engineers, Fieldworks & Miscellaneous Materiel
HR Obsolete Royal Engineers, Water Supply & Distribution Materiel
HQ Obsolete Royal Engineers, Construction Materiel
HS Obsolete Royal Engineers, Construction Materiel
HVM High Velocity Missile (HVM/Starstreak)
J0 Physical Properties Testing & Inspection
J1 Tents, Shelters, Camping Equipment
J2 Camp Cookers & Related Equipment
JAVE Javelin Guided Missile System
JO Obsolete Royal Engineers, Construction Materiel Testing Equipment

K Army Supplied Office & Accommodation Stores

K Obsolete Barrack & Hospital Equipment
KA Misc Office Eqpt, Eqpt & Stable Accommodation, Oil Heating & Cooking Stoves
KB Obsolete Bedsteads & their components
KC Physical Training, Sports Equipment & Ecclesiastical Accoutrements
KD Obsolete Crockery & Glassware
KE Obsolete Disenfestation Equipment, Office Equipment, Security Locks
KF Obsolete Oil Heating & Cooking Stores, Spring Balances & Galvanised Buckets
KG Trailers Fire Pump & Associated Kits & Spares

KN Obsolete Royal Engineers, Water Supply & Distribution Materiel

KS Obsolete Royal Engineers, Targets & Target Material

LV Vehicle Parts – Earlier designations, see the first article “Early British Army Part Numbers”
(Listed below are some sections that were not fully listed in first article. Where a vehicle has become obsolete, it can be confusing
because often the same designation is still used by a later vehicle, to help with this I have put the date of the vocabulary. If they do not
appear in the next listing after this one i.e. the listing without the LV prefix, then they are now obsolete)

LV1 Cruiser & Infantry Tanks (1946)

LV1/ARV Churchill, Cavalier, Sherman, parts peculiar to ARVs (1946)
LV1/ARV Centurion ARVs (1967)
LV1/ATL Traverse Indicators (1946)
LV1/BB Borg & Beck Clutch (1946)
LV1/BBP Beresford Bilge Pump (1946)
LV1/BRC Cromwell, Challenger & SP 17-pdr A30 Mk 1 (1946)
LV1/BRC Centurion & ARVs (1967)
LV1/CDR Clayton Dewandre Servo Brake (1946)
LV1/CRB Sherman Crab (1946)
LV1/DB David Brown Gearbox (1946)
LV1/ENV ENV Travers Gear (1946)
LV1/GB Girling Brake (1946)
LV1/GCE Gun Control Equipment (1967)
LV1/HW Heywood Compressor (1946)
LV1/JP Jap Auxillary Engine (1946)
LV1/LD Centuar, Comet (1946)
LV1/LD Centurion (1967)
LV1/LHD Lockheed Brake (1946)
LV1/LU Lucas Electrical Power Traverse (1946)
LV1/MM Morris Motors Auxillary Engine (1946)
LV1/MO Metroploitan Vickers Turret Traverse Gear (1946)
LV1/NM Crusader, Cavalier, Tortoise (1946)
LV1/NM Churchill Special Roles, Centurion & Conqueror ARVs (1967)
LV1/NM Centurion Special Roles & ARVs (1970)
LV1/NPT Amphibian Tracked 4-Ton GS (Neptune) (1946)
LV1/NT Newton & Bennet Shock Absorber (1946)
LV1/PM Powered Mountings, Hand & Power Traverse Gear (1946)
LV1/RX Reavell Compressor (1946)
LV1/SB Stuart Turner Bilge Pump fitted to Centurion (1953)
LV1/SC Self Change Gearbox (1967)
LV1/SW Wilson Gearbox & Steering Unit (1946)
LV1/TM Parts of WD design common to more than one vehicle in Section LV1 (1946)
LV1/USA USA AFVs, parts & assemblies, no sub-sections. (Unlike sub-sections for British AFVs) (1946)
LV1/VSM Valentine, Valentine BridgeLayer, Centurion (1946)
LV1/VSM Centurion & ARVs (1970)
LV1/VH Churchill, Churchill Bridgelayer (1946)
LV1/VH Churchill Special Roles (1967)
LV1/VH Special Roles (1970)
LV/US/Ord Replaced USA ‘A’ & ‘B’ vehicle sections eg LV1/USA, LV3/GMC, LV7/ADT (1953)

LV2 Light Tanks & Carriers (1946)

LV2/BB Borg & Beck Clutch (1946)
LV2/CGC Bishops Steering Gear (1946)
LV2/GB Girling Brake (1946)
LV2/LY Llyod Carriers (Engine held in LV7/FD) (1946)
LV2/OX Oxford Carriers (1946)
LV2/TL Parts of WD design common to more than one vehicle (1946)

LV3 Engines used on AFVs (1946)

LV3 Engines used on ‘A’ Vehicles (1953)
LV3/AE Associated Equipment Co Ltd (1946)
LV3/CC Coventry Climax (1967)
LV3/GMC General Motors Corporation (1946)
LV3/LD Leyland Motors Ltd (1967)
LV3/MD Meadows Ltd (1946)
LV3/NM Mechanisation & Aero Ltd (1946)
LV3/RR Rolls Royce (1946)
LV3/VH Vauxhall Motors Ltd (1946)
LV3/HMC Hercules Motors Ltd (1946)

LV4 Armament Mountings & their appurtanances for Mechanical Vehicles (no sub-sections)

LV5 Armoured Cars & Scout Cars

LV5/BB Borg & Beck Clutch (1946)
LV5/BM BSA – Daimler Scout Car & Daimler Armoured Cars (includes engine) (1946)
LV5/CGC Bishop Steering Gear (1946)
LV5/COV Coventry Armoured Car (1946)
LV5/DB David Brown, Gear Traversing & Steering (1946)
LV5/HK Humber Scout & Humber Armoured Car (includes engine) (1946)
LV5/MAC Associated Equipment Ltd, Armoured Car & ACV 6 x 6 (1946)

LV6/MT5 Bolts, ANF & ANC (all materials) BSF & WMS (in HTS) Nuts, Washers (section obsolete by 1967)
LV7/NEU (ie Neutral) Commonality parts used in US & Canadian ‘B’ Vehicles (1953)
LV14 Fire Crash Equipment & Spares (1970)
LV15 Power Pack Containers (1970)
LV16 Vehicle Protection Kits, Internal Security, Fibre Glass (1985)
LV45/MT13 Armoured Vehicle, Tentage, Penthouse etc (1985)

‘LV’ Vehicle Parts – Current, in Service List as at 25/5/01

(Gradually during the 1980’s the LV prefix was ommitted from parts packaging)
1 Non-standardised British ‘A’ Vehicles
1ARV Centurion & ARV, Spare Parts
1ENV ENV Traverse Gear, Spare Parts
1MM Morris Motors Auxillary Engine, Spare Parts
1SB Stewart Turner Bilge Pump, Spare Parts
1SC Gearboxes used on Light & Heavy ‘A’ Vehicles
1TM Self Change Gearbox, Spare Parts
1VSM Centurion & ARV, Spare Parts (Vickers Armstrong)

2 Light Tanks & Carriers

2MLR Mobile Launcher Rocket System (MLRS)

3 Engines used on ‘A’ Vehicles

3CC H30 Generators used on Heavy ‘A’ Vehicles
3JG Jaguar Engines used on ‘A’ Vehicles
3LD Leyland Motors Ltd Engines used on ‘A’ Vehicles
3RR Perkins Challenger CV12 Engine Spares, previously Rolls Royce
3STTE Special Tools & Test Equipment, DES 3 Equipment or prime user

4 ‘A’ Vehicles, Armament Mountings & Appurtenances

4CE Centurion, items peculiar to Centurion
4CH Chieftain, items peculiar to Chieftain or derivatives (CHARRV, CHAVLB, CHAVRE)
4CR1A Challenger 1, Automotive items peculiar to Callenger 1 (CR1)
4CR1T Challenger 1, Turret System items peculiar to Callenger 1 (CR1)
4CR2A Challenger 2, Automotive items peculiar to Callenger 2 (CR2)
4CR2T Challenger 2, Turret System peculiar to Callenger 2 (CR2)
4CRR Challenger Armoured Repair & Recovery Vehicle, Automotive items peculiar to CHARRV
4LEP Cummins B6 Diesel Engine, unique items to engine replacement in Life Extension Programme of CVR(T)
4SRA Special Role Items Applicable to Heavy ‘A’ Vehicles
4STTE Special Tools & Test Equipment, DES 4 Equipment
46MT1 ‘A’ Vehicles, General Miscellaneous MT Stores
46MT3 ‘A’ Vehicles, Light Fittings, Wiper Systems & Wing Mirrors
46MT4 ‘A’ Vehicles, Common Electrical Stores
46MT6 ‘A’ Vehicles, Rubber Hose, Sheet Strip & Tyre Repair Materials
46MT7 ‘A’ Vehicles, Bearings – Ball & Roller
46MT9 ‘A’ Vehicles, Braking Systems
46MT12 ‘A’ Vehicles, Fuel Systems, Compression Ignition & Internal Combustion Engines
46MT13 ‘A’ Vehicles, Coach Materials, Body Fitments, Covers Waterproof & Towing Attachments

5STTE Special Tools & Test Equipment, DES 5 Equipment

6 MT Stores Items
6BCF Halon Fire Extinguishers & Refrigerants
6MT1 General Miscellaneous MT Stores
6MT2 Tools special to Mechanical Transport & Tyres
6MT3 ‘B’ and ‘C’ Vehicles, Light Fittings, Wiper Systems & Wing Mirrors
6MT4 Common Electrical Stores for Mechanical Transport
6MT6 ‘B’ and ‘C’ Vehicles, Rubber Hose, Sheet Strip & Tyre Repair Materials
6MT7 ‘B’ and ‘C’ Vehicles, Bearings – Ball & Roller for ‘
6MT8 Ignition Equipment
6MT9 Proprietary Braking & Steering Equipment
6MT10 Proprietary Vehicular Power Transmission Components
6MT11 Chains & Ropes
6MT12 Fuel Systems, Compression Ignition & Internal Combustion Engines
6MT13 ‘B’ and ‘C’ Vehicles, Coach Materials, Body Fitments, Covers Waterproof & Towing Attachments
6MT14 Tyres, Tubes, Valves, Wheels, Tyre & Wheel Ancilleries (not Aircraft)
6MT15 ‘A’ Vehicles, Special Miscellaneous stores & Proprietary Equipment
6WPG Waterproofing Kits

7 Spare Parts for Non-standardised ‘B’ Vehicles

7AH Alvis Motors Ltd
7AMG Armstrong Motor Cycles
7AN Austin Motors Ltd
7ARM Truck, Dropside, ACMAT 4x4 Medium Support Vehicle (SAS)
7AT Atkinson Grit Spreader
7AWD AWD Multi Drive 131000 8x6 Tractor, items peculiar
7BD Bedford
7CE Cummins Engines
7CWH Carrier Wheeled EOD 800 KG4x2 GH1, peculiar MT items
7CY Chrysler Engines
7DE Dennis Eagle Refueller
7DN Dennis
7DP DROPS, Automatic & Hydraulic Items
7EA Eaton Axles & Transmissions
7EDT Edwards Tipping Gear
7FD Ford Motor Company
7FF Truck Fire Fighting
7FN Fodens Motor Works Ltd
7FV Ford Iveco 38 Tonne Truck, items peculiar
7FW AEC Ltd
7GM TAVERN, General Motors, Chassis Automotive Vehicle Parts
7GVW Transac IEDD Vehicle 10.2 Tonne, Glover Webb, items peculiar
7JAL Commanders Hardened Rover Group (chassis spares in 7GM)
7LD Leyland Motors Ltd
7ML BMC
7MSE Mobile Servicing Equipment
7MTE Mobile Tanker Equipment, top hamper refueller spares
7PE TAVERN, Penman, top hamper
7PK Perkins Diesel Engines CV8 & CV12
7RB Reynaulds Boughton RB44, Automotive & Hydraulic Spares except for Engine, Steering Gear, Gearbox
7RIV Rapid Intervention Vehicle
7RR Perkins Miscellaneous ‘B’ Vehicle Engine Parts (Previously Rolls Royce)
7RS Runway Sweepers
7RU Rover Co Ltd
7SA Standard Motors
7SDP Pinzgauer, Steyr Daimler Puch (SDP)
7SL Scammel Lorries Ltd
7SPC Supercat 6x6 & Hardtop Variant with Trailer Cargo ½ Tonne & Trailer, Automotive & Hydraulic Spares
7DTP Vehicle Top Hamper, Able, TBT & Bv Variants of BR90
7TL Ratcliffe Hydraulics Tail Lift
7TR Trailers
7TY Thornycroft
7VO Hagglans Vehicle AB including BV206 & BV202E
7WG Winch Gear
7XD Land Rover Defender XD (Wolf)
7XDW Land Rover Defender XD – Winterised/Waterproofed Variants
7ZF Zahnradfabrik Gearboxes
8ENT Entwhistle Rough Terrain Mechanical Handling Equipment (RT HHE)

8RE Royal Engineers Plant & Cranes

8REAB Aveling Barford, spare parts
8REAC Allis Chambers
8REAG Allison Gearboxes
8REAK Joint Service Flail Unit- AARDVARK
8REAT Atlas Crane, spare parts
8REAV Vehicle, Commanders, Mine Detection, 7 Tonne, Alvis
8REBM Bamford Excavators
8REBY Boydell & Co, spare parts
8RECA Armoured Heavy Wheeled Tractor, Caterpillar
8RECB Excavator Crawler Mounted, Caterpillar
8RECC Medium Crawler Tractor, Caterpillar
8RECD Tractor, Full Tracked, Medium, Air Portable, Caterpillar 30/30
8RECE Vehicle Wheeled Earth Moving Medium, items peculiar
8RECF Excavator Wheeled Mounted, Caterpillar
8RECP Spare Parts for Caterpillar Tractor Ltd
8RECS Coles
8REDB David Brown Tractors, Spare Parts
8REDL Douglas
8REFE Ferguson
8REFV Dump Truck Medium 6x6 Ford Iveco, items peculiar excluding engine components
8REGC Spare Parts for George Cohen & Sons Ltd
8REHD Tractor Wheeled, Earthmoving, Light Hydrema 806, spare parts
8REHM Spare Parts for Hy Mac
8REJS Jones
8RELR Tractor Full Tracked Low Speed Heavy Diesel, Lieherr
8REMB Mercedes Benz
8REMG Michigan (Great Britain) Ltd
8REMI ‘C’ Vehicles, Miscellaneous Equipment
8REMM Tractor Wheeled Category C Attack Helicopter Support Muffet (Mounty)
8REOK Orenstein & Koppel
8REST Smiths Excavators
8RETX Terrex Scrapers
8REVE Volvo BM4400, Tractor, Whld, Earth Moving, Medium, Spares Mechanical Engineering
8REVO Dump Truck, Self Loading, 6x6, Volvo FL12
8REXE Experimental Establishment
8SISU Container Handling Rough Terrain (CHRT)

9 Standardised ‘A’ and ‘B’ Vehicles

9AAD Armoured Cars & Wheeled Carriers, Spare Parts
9AAE Auxillary Engines, Spare Parts
9ACR Tracked Carriers & Armoured Ambulances, Spare Parts
9AHY Heavy Tanks, Spare Parts
9AS9 AS90, Weapon Automatic & Hydraulic Items excluding Engine & Transmission Components
9ASC Scout Cars, Spare Parts
9BTR Standardised Trailers, Spare Parts
9CET Combat Engineer Tractor, Spare Parts
9CR2 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, Spare Parts, excluding Special Tools & Test Equipment
9CVT Combat Vehicle RECCE Tracked, Spare Parts
9CVW Combat Vehicle RECCE Wheeled, Spare Parts
9GWR Saxon AT105 (General War Role), Spares Peculiar
9GWRP Saxon Patrol, Automotive, Hydraulic & Body Items excluding Engine & Transmission Components
9MBT5 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, Special Tools & Test Equipment
9MCV Mechanised Combat Vehicle 80 (MCV 80) Warrior, Automotive & Hydraulic Items
9STM STORMER, Automotive & Hydraulic Items
10 Standardised Engines
13 CONDEC Loader

LACS Light Artillery Computer System & Associated Stores

M1 Mortars, Smoke Grenades Dischargers, Portable Flame Throwers
M2 Anti-Aircraft Artillery
M3 Stores Common to Artillery Equipment
M4 Tools & Gauges for Artillery Equipments & Mortars
MED Medical
MGSS Mobile Geographical Support System
MLRS Multi-Launch Rocket System
MSTAR Manportable Surveillance & Target Acquisition Radar
MYRA MYRA Trunk Communications System
N1 Field & AFV Guns up to 105mm
N2 Obsolete 3.7in Howitzers & Carriages
N2 RARDON 30mm Cannon
N3 Infantry Anti-Tank Guns, Tank Guns over 105mm & AVRE Guns

N + letter Catalogue of Royal Engineers Materiel (CREM) – Stores & Bridging Section
NC Bridging, Fixed
NCLSB Logistic Support Bridge
ND Bridging, Floating Rafts & Ferries
4ND M3 Amphibious Bridge Spares
NE Obsolete Boats & Propulsion Equipment
NE Bridging, Ancillary & Miscellaneous Equipment
NF Bridging Ancillaries
NH Targets & Target Material
NJ Camp Structures
NK (part) Construction Tools & Appliances, Timber, Ironmongery, Building & Decorating Materials
NK (part) Drainage & Sewage Disposal
NL Electrical Distribution Materiel
NM (part) Airfield & Roadway Surfacing & Fieldwork Stores
NM (part) Drainage & Sewage Disposal
NN Huts & Sheds
NP (part) POL (Petrol, Oils & Lubricants) Equipment
NP (part) Pumps & Pumping Sets
NQ Airfield & Roadway Surfacing & Fieldwork Stores
NR Tools (Plumbers & Pipe Fitters), Heating, Plumbing, Water Supply, Tanks, Sanitaryware
NS Mine Laying & Clearance Equipment
NU Construction Materiel Testing Equipment
NV Electrical Equipment & Control Gear
NW Pumps & Pumping Sets
NX Refrigeration & Special Purpose Machinery

O BL 5.5in & Howitzer 155mm FH70

P1 Carriage 155mm SP (M109), Carriage 175mm SP (M107), 8in Howitzers SP
PHOE Phoenix (Drone)
POL POL (Petrol, Oils & Lubricants) (this Code when items not obtainable through RAOC/RE)
PPRF Power Pack Repair Facility
Q1 Obsolete SAA & MG Ammunition, shell Fuses, Cartridges, Smoke Candles
Q2 Obsolete As for Q1 Non-Explosive (dummies) & Empty Packages
R1 Obsolete Ammunition for Field Light Tanks & Anti-Tank Guns
R2 Obsolete Ammunition for Field Light Tanks & Anti-Tank Guns (Dummies & Empties)
RA Royal Air Force (this Code when items not obtainable through RAOC/RE)
RCS Rapier Control System
REFFC Flush Capping System, Entwistle

S + letter Catalogue of Royal Engineers Materiel (CREM) - Engineer Construction Plant Section
SA Blacktop Plant
SB Concreting Plant
SC Conveyors & Quarry Plant
SD Compressors, Mining, Rock Drilling, Earth Boring, & Related Equipment
SE Compaction, Road Clearing, Cleaning, & Marking Equipment
SF Piling Plant
SG Railway Construction Plant
SH Soil Stabilization Plant
SJ (part) Engineer Construction Plant covers all DMCs SA to SL
SJ (part) Site Investigation Plant
SK Miscellaneous Plant
SL Compressors

SHD SHIELDER Vehicle Launched Scatterable Mine System

SKC Photographic Projection Equipment
SP70 SP70 155mm SP Howitzer, Ordnance, Mounting, Sightings etc
SWIG Swingfire Improved Guidance

T Ammunition & Inert Stores

T1 Ammunition – Infantry & Common User items
T2 AFV items
T3 Air Defence & RA items
T4 Army Air Corps, Chemical Defence & Anti-Riot items
T5 Demolition Explosives, Mines, Mine Clearance & AVRE items
T6 Guided Missiles & Free Flight Rockets, GM complete, GM warheads, rocket motors, drones etc
T7 Guided Missiles – inert items: components, drill, exercise & instructional rounds
T8 Conventional Ammunition – inert items: components, drill, exercise & instructional rounds
T9 Packages, Conventional & Guided Weapons
T10 Obsolete Conventional & Guided Weapon Inert Items, Provisioned on Live Account

TIRF Thermal Imaging Repair Facility

TKT Tool Kits & Workshop Equipment
U Ammunition Maintenance & Repair Shop Specialised Equipment
V1 Obsolete Fire-Control Instruments & associated stores for Coastal Artillery
V2 Obsolete Surveying Eqpt, Drawing Instruments & Watches
V3 Flash Spotting, Sound Ranging & RA Survey Stores
V4 Obsolete Fire Control Equipments & associated stores for Anti-Aircraft
V5 Obsolete Fire Control Instruments & associated stores specific to these instruments
3V5 Fire Control Instruments & Associared Specially Designated Stores (FACE etc)
3V5A Fire Control Instruments & Associared Specially Designated Stores (PADS etc)
4V5 Optical Fire Control Equipment for AFV & Artillery
5V5 Fire Control Instruments & Associated Specially Designed Stores
4V6 Directors Artillery L1A1, L1A2 & Associated Spares
V6 Fire Control & Optical stores
V7 Test Equipment specially designed for Fire Control Equipments & Instruments
3V7 Test Equipment for Optical Equipments
VIX VIXEN Electronic Warfare Equipment
VMS Vaisala Meteorolgical System
VO23 Tri-Service Male Barrack/Cabin Wear
VO35 Tri-Service Female Barrack/Cabin Wear
W1 Water Supply equipment & accessories
W2 Obsolete Electric Cables & Wires, Primary Cells & miscellaneous electrical stores
W2 Air Compressors, Pneumatic equipment & accessories
4W2 Obsolete Workshop Tools & Equipment
W3 Repair Shop Equipment
W4 Accessories & Tools for use with W3 equipments
W5 Workshops, Machinery, Vehicle Fitments
W6 Photographic Equipment, Map Reproduction, Paper Processing
W7 Petroleum Distribution Equipment
W8 Obsolete Fieldworks, Demolition, Mining, Bomb Disposal & Diving Equipment
W8 EOD Equipment
4W8 Minelaying & Clearing (Giant Viper, Ranger, Barmine layer)
W9 Field Bakery, Plant & Implements
W10 Magnetic Compasses, Drawing & Optical Instruments, Watches, Survey etc
3W10 Global Positioning System
W11 Obsolete Sewing Machines & Boot Repair Machinery
W12 Obsolete Mechanical Baling & Packaging Machinery
W14 Charging Equipment, Pure Air Systems
W15 Laundry & Mobile Bathing Equipment
W17 Self-Propelled Industrial Trucks (Mechanical & Electrical)
W18 Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Plants for Mobile Equipments
W19 Obsolete Armament Training Devices (earlier Pilotless Targets Aircraft)
W20 Marine Equipments Special to Army Roles
W21 Field Force Accommodation Containers for Truck Mounting
W22 Technical Anti-Riot Stores
W23 Automatic Resuscitation (NBC)
WN Obsolete Electrical Distribution Materiel
WO Obsolete Electrical Distribution Materiel
WTE Workshop Tools & Equipment
X1 Searchlights & associated stores
X2 Generating Plant, Electrical Conversion Plant & General Electrical Equipment
X3 Internal Combustion Engines (Industrial), certain ‘C’ Vehicles & Plant, Marine Engines
X4 Obsolete Electrical Indicating Instruments
X4 Nuclear Lamps
X5 Electric Lamps
XN Obsolete Royal Engineers, Electrical Generators & Associated Equipment
XP Obsolete Electrical Distribution Materiel
XR Obsolete Electrical Distribution Materiel
Y1 Signal Stores – Line, Telegraph & Telephone Equipment, Visual & Sound Recording Equipment
Y2 Signals Stores – Automatic Telegraph, Line Transmission Equipment, Cryptographic Equipment
Y3 Wire & Cable, Electrical Cable Drums, (earlier inc. Primary Batteries)
Y3/BAT Primary Batteries
Y4 Obsolete Guided Weapons – Common Items

Z Catalogue of Electronic Communication Sundries

Z1 Radio & Television Communication Equipment
Z2 Miscellaneous Radio & Electrical Hardware & accessories
Z2/ZB Miscellaneous Radio & Electrical Hardware & accessories (Anti-corrosive / Rustproof)
Z3 Radar Equipment & associated stores special thereto
Z4 Test Equipment & Instruments including specially designed communication test equipments
Z4/HMTE Health Monitoring Test Equipment & Associated Spares
Z5 Hazard Detection Equipment Bomb Location & Mine Detectors
Z6 Fighting Vehicle Gun Control Equipment for Heavy AFVs & SP Guns
Z7 Obsolete Infra-Red Eqpt, Image Intensifiers, Electronic Optical Eqpt, Laser & Thermal Imaging Eqpt
3Z7 Thermal Imager Repair
4Z7 Image Intensifiers, Thermal Imagers & Laser Equipment AFV
5Z7 Manportable Night Vision Equipments, Image Intensifier Tubes (all applications)
Z8 Hazard Detection Equipment Radiac
Z9 Battery Chargers (Mains Operated)
Z9/BAT Secondary & Traction Batteries
Z11 Obsolete Lance Guided Missile System
Z14 Obsolete Drone Guided Missile System
Z15 Javelin Guided Missile System
Z16 Obsolete Thunderbird Guided Missile System
Z17 Blowpipe Guided Missile System
Z18 Milan Guided Missile System
Z20 Obsolete Vigilant Guided Missile System
Z21 Swingfire Guided Missile System
Z22 Rapier Guided Missile System
Z23 Obsolete Tracked Rapier Guided Missile System
Z24 Rapier Guided Missile System, Trainer
Z29 Obsolete Calculating Machines (Electronic), programmable & non-programmable
Z30 Resistors
Z31 Capacitors
Z32 Filters & Networks, Fuses & Lightning Arrestors, Circuit Breakers, Switches, Connectors
Z37 Lugs, Terminals, Terminal Strips, Relays, Contacts, Solenoids, Coils, Transformers, Crystals etc
Z42 Misc Electrical & Electronic Components, Valves, Transistors, Headsets, Insulators, Aerials etc
3Z42 TRIFFID Field Tactical UHF Radio Relay Equipment & Related Spares
Z75 Air/Land Enhanced British Intelligence (ALEBI)
Z76 SLIM
Z77 WAVELL (Automatic Data Processing) – peculiar items
Z88 Ptarmigan (Battlefield Communication System) – spares
Z89 Fixed Communications
Z90 Obsolete Guided Missiles without warheads or explosives, launchers, handling & servicing eqpt
Z95 Air Defence Command Information System (ADCIS)
Z96 CONRAD Equipment (Home Defence Radio System)
Z97 SATCOM (Satellite Communications)
Z98 Battlefield Artillery Target Engagement System (BATES )
Z99 Clansman Radio – spares

Vocabulary of Royal Engineer Stores (Replaced by RE Items of Supply Catalogue, then by CREM)
Group I – Plant
Section 11 Electrical Equipment & Control Gear
Section 12 Refrigeration & Special Purpose Machinery
Section 14 RE Engines & Turbines
Section 15 Pumps & Pumping Sets – POL, Sewage, Sludge & Water
Section 16 Construction Plant

Group II - Appliances
Section 21 Testing Instruments & Appliances
Section 22 Hand Tools & Appliances
Section 23 Construction Tools & Appliances
Section 24 Electrical Appliances & Kits Floodlighting

Group III
Section 30 Targets & Target Material
Section 31 Building & Decorating Materials
Section 32 Drainage & Sewage Disposal
Section 33 Hardwoods, Softwoods, Poles & Spars
Section 34 Heating, Plumbing & Sanitary Ware
Section 35 Ironmongery & Structural Steel
Section 36 Internal Distribution, Overhead & Underground Transmission
Section 37 Electrical Distribution, Overhead & Underground Transmission
Section 38 Electrical fittings, Lamps & Materials
Section 39 Water Supply Piping & Fittings, Tank-Towers Well Casing
Section 40 Airfield & Roadway Surfacings & Fieldworks Stores

Group IV – Bridging
Section 41 Bridging, Fixed
Section 43 Bridging, Floating, Rafts & Ferries
Section 44 Boats & Propulsion Equipment
Section 45 Bridging, Ancillary & Miscellaneous Equipment

Group V – Special Warlike Stores

Section 51 Ship to Shore Hoselines
Section 52 POL Bulk Storage Tanks
Section 53 Petroleum Pipelines & Fittings
Section 54 POL Dispensing Equipment

Group VI – Hutting
Section 61 Huts & Sheds
Section 62 Camp Structures
RAF Vehicle Related Codes
4 DB Condex Type 25K Transfer Loader
5 A Aircraft Lights
16 K Fuel System
26 LX Lynx
52 GLE Gazelle
53 AE AEC
53 B Zwicky Refuellers
53 BL Lacre Runway Sweeper
53 BE Bedford
53 DC Decompression Chambers
53 DM Edbro Tippers
53 DT De-Icing Truck
53 ED Ford, Body Parts
53 FA Railer Fire Pump
53 FD Ford, Body Parts
53 H Water Tankers
53 LE Leyland
53 MF Massey-Ferguson Tractors
53 PA Phoenix Refueller
53 PR Thompson Refuellers
53 RT Rootes
53 RV Rover
53 SP Siriens Platform
53 Y Fire Fighting Equipment
53 Z Photographic Bodies
53 ZT Photographic Trailers
61 AE AEC
61 AS Alvis
61 AT Atkinson
61 AW All Wheel Drive
61 B Accessories & Fittings
61 BB Forklift Truck, Boss
61 BE Bedford
61 BH British Hoists
61 BR Brockhouse
61 BU Rolls Royce B Series Engines
61 BY Bicycles
61 BZ Zwicky Runway Sweeper
61 C Tools & General MT Spares
61 CA Carrimore Trailers
61 CD Cranes, Caravan Trailers
61 CJ Taylor ‘Jumbo’ Crane
61 CS Coles Crane
61 CX Forklift Truck, Coventry Climax
61 CY Chrysler Engines
61 DB David Brown Tractors
61 DM Daimler, Gearbox
61 DX Dixon Bate
61 BZ Zwicky Runway Sweeper
61 EA Eagle
61 EC Forklift Truck, Conveyancer
61 EY Eaton, Yale & Towne F/L Truck
61 FD Ford
61 FR Ransome Rapier Forklift Truck
61 GA Gardner Engine
61 HA Hands
61 JA James Motor Cycles
61 KL Jones KL Cranes
61 LM Forklift Truck, Lancer
61 LE Leyland
61 LS Lister Engine
61 MD Meadows Engine
61 MF Massey-Ferguson Tractors
61 PF Forklift Truck, Lansing Bagnall
61 PK Perkins Engines
61 RE Forklift Truck, Reliance
61 RP British Rotary Snow Plough
61 RT Rootes
61 SC Scammel
61 SL Sentinel Tractor
61 SM Scottish Motors
61 SW Sicard Trailer Runway Sweeper
61 ST Standard
61 SY Forklift Truck, Shelvoke & Drewry
61 TA Tasker
61 TH Thornycroft
61 TR Triumph Motor Cycle
61 WA Weldall & Assembly Ltd (Snow Plough Fitting)
61 WR Tractor, Armament Special
61 ZA Interservice

For more on VAOS and full details of sections (LV1-LV15) see the first article “Early British Army Part Numbers”. For those of you
who are fascinated by NATO Stock Numbers see:
www.ncb.mod.uk/index.html
www.nato.int/structur/AC/135/ncs_guide/e_guide.htm

If anyone is really so bored with life that they want to browse the full Federal Supply Classification, it is published in ‘Cataloguing
Handbook H2, Department of the Army Supply Bulletin SB708-21’ can be downloaded as a .pdf file from:
www.dlis.dla.mil/PDFs/h2.pdf

COMMENTARY CLIVE ELLIOTT 2001-2005