[stephen f. polyak]

Dennis,

Both codes are perhaps "incorrect and correct" at the same time. I suggest that the codes (in particular, hpw) may have in fact been on data plates on those airplanes. However, not on a main ID plate or an airframe structural assembly plate (indicating the planes' primary maker), but on component or item of equipment tags.

Whether by taking information from the wrong type of plate, miss-reading the plate code and/or entering incorrect information in the (first) written, then typed data records, human-error is inevitable. These duties must have been rather boring, mundane to the personnel so tasked.

I might add that at times, even with plate in hand, it's tough to read the stamped entries.

Steve

PS: The codes given for the Si 204s (hik & hpw) and a Ju 52 (jbg) do not connect with firms that built these types.