Vinyl pressings
by Ginger Baker's Air Force · 1970
Air Force 2 was first pressed on vinyl in 1970. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
23 pressings came out in 1970, the album's first year, in 13 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
2383029 A 3 ∇ 420Runout side A, variant 1
2383029 B 2 ∇ 420Runout side B, variant 1
2383029 A//3∇420 1 1 6Runout side A, variant 2, stamped
2383029 B//2∇420 1 1Runout side B, variant 2, stamped
2383029 A//3 ∇420 L 1 6Runout side A, stamped
2383029 B//2 ∇420 L 1 3Runout side B, stamped
2383-029 ALabel side A
2389-029 BLabel side B
ST C701981-1B CTHSide A runout, stamped
S T-C701982-2A CTHSide B runout, stamped
ST-C-701981CTHLabel side A
ST-C-701982CTHLabel side B
ST-C-701981-B AT PRRunout A, variant 1
ST-C-701982C PRRunout B, variant 1
ST-C-701981-B AT PR OB III wRunout A, variant 2
ST-C-701982 C TC oDP PRRunout B, variant 2
ST-C-701981-B B MORE AT △ 15161 PRRunout side A variant 1, etched
ST-C-701982 C C MORE △ 15161-XRunout side B variant 1, etched
ST-C-701981-B B MORE (MR) AT △ 15161 PR aB WRunout side A variant 2, etched
ST-C-701982 C C MORE (MR) △ 15161-X gP PRRunout side B variant 2, etched
C-13445 PR
C-13446 PR
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Australia | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Canada | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | France | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Germany | Polydor 2383 039First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Israel | Polydor 2383 039First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Italy | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | New Zealand | Polydor 2486015First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1970 | Nigeria | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album, Misprint, Stereo | LP, Album, Misprint, Stereo |
| 1970 | Spain | Polydor 23 83 029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1970 | UK | Polydor 2383 029First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Japan | RSO MWX 4043LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Germany | RSO 2428 702 / Rotation 2428 702LP, Album, Reissue | LP, Album, Reissue |
| ? | Germany | Polydor 2383 039LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo, Stereo · Promo |
| ? | Scandinavia | Polydor 2383 029 / Polydor 2383.029LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
35 vinyl pressings of Air Force 2 are listed here, from 16 countries, released between 1970 and 1980.
The earliest pressings are from 1970, in UK, US, Australia, Canada and more. One of them is Polydor 2383 029, released December 10, 1970.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2383 029, SD 33-343, 33-343, 2383 039) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2383029 A 3 ∇ 420 and 2383029 B 2 ∇ 420. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
