Hi Kevin -- Any catalog or online publication of Airstream should be viewed as infrequently updated, if ever. Their website is supposed to be getting an update any day now - they originally told their dealers August 10th but it's anybody's guess. There is no clue whether they'll update everything or, better yet, maintain it on an ongoing basis. Their 'Airstreamer' section has a
VIN interpretation webpage in their FAQs. It's not a whole lot different than the link you give, it gives some interesting insights to your questions, and I don't see any suggestion that it is up to date (dated 2/1/02 in fact...). Otherwise I'd say your VIN follows some norms running since publication of my referenced link.
I did see a 27' FB International at the midwest Moraine View Forums rally in June. Cool unit! Let's dissect your VIN the way I interpret it:
1ST = Airstream travel trailer
T= I agree -- a new letter is being used. My corresponding digit is "J" = Center Bath, Split. Might as well give a unique letter to the best selling Airstream layout.
F =
not Funeral Coach. The above link says denotes International after 11/01.
Y = Semi-monocoque, 102" wide body...
L = 27' to less than 28'. Get out the micrometer. This has been discussed before (not sure where) - just something quirky if truly > 28'.
2 = 2 axles
8 = Check digit -- fairly complex per the above URL.
8 = 2008
J = Jackson Center, OH manufacture
xxxxxx = Sequential number
To me the only undeclared part of your VIN is the new use of the T in the 4th position. There is a lot of cloaking of production in the RV industry and it is up to the historians to try to determine sequential numbers as they relate to numbers produced, model type, etc. (eg, see R.J. Dial's
Vintage Airstream Photo Archives -- and even he has only part of it figured out for models before 1980!). At least your VIN is unique for licensing & titling purposes.
New VIN System at Airstream?
)
Linear Mode
