Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

[Noha307]

As some may have guessed based on my participation in the B-17, F4U and P-35 threads, one of my greatest interests is aircraft nicknames. However, one of the problems I have ran into is determining which are official and which were invented years later. Similar to the methodology of the B-17 thread, the best way to answer this is to look for contemporary reports listing this information. Therefore, a number of examples have been transcribed and posted below. The intent is keep it to one example per post, so each can be linked for easy reference. However, this is only a personal rule, so please don't let it stop anyone from commenting.

[Noha307]

Type          Manufacturer   Present      Proposed
                     Designation    Supplemental
                               Designation

Fighter         Grumman      F2F        Lightning
            "           F3F        Planet
            "           F4F        Comet
            "           F5F        Sky Rocket
            "           F5F        Meteor
            Vought        F4U        Mercury
            Brewster       F2A        Twister
            "           F3A        Tempest

Torpedo
Bomber        Douglas        TBD        Scorpion
            Grumman      TBF        Dragon
            Vought        TBU        Tarantula

Utility
& Utility        Grumman      JRF        Locust
Transport        "          JRF        Cricket
            Sikorsky       JRS        Scarab

Small
Transport        Beech       GB        Bee
            Beech       JRB        Beetle

Transport        Lockheed     R5O        Lodestar
            Douglas      R2D)        Goliath
            "         R3D)        Goliath
            "         R4D)        Goliath

Scout
Observation      Curtiss       SOC-1,-2,-3     Pioneer
            N.A.F.       SON        Pathfinder
            Curtiss       SO3C        Scout

Observation
Scout         Vought       OS2U        Observer

Scout
Bomber        Vought       SBU-1,-2      Hartford
            "          SB2U-1,-2,
                         -3      Stratford
            Curtiss       SBC3-4       Niagara
            "          SB2C-1       Erie
            Northrup      BT-1        Arrowhead
            Douglas      SBD-1,-2,-3     Mohave
            Brewster      SB2A        Jersey
            N.A.F.       SBN        Delaware

Bomber        Douglas       BD-1        Imperial

Patrol
Bomber        Consolidated    P2Y         Capistrano
            "         PBY         Clemente
            "         PB2Y        Coronado
            Martin       PBM        Maryland
            "         PB2M        Matapeake
            Boeing      PBB         Seattle
            N.A.F.       PBN        Schuylkill

Trainer         Ryan       NR         Padre
            Stearman     N8,N28-1,-2, [Ed. The typist has used "8" in place of "S".]
                          -3     Dixie
            N.A.F.       N3N-1, -3      Quaker
            Spartan      NP         Sooner

Advance [sic]
Trainer         Curtiss      SNC         Yankee
            North American   NJ, SNJ       Bruin.

(Source: Durgin, “Model Designation of Naval Aircraft,” June 3, 1941.)

[Noha307]

Army And Navy to Designate
Warplanes By Popular Names

   So that the general public may have a better idea of the
character of military aircraft and more readily identify them,
every American warplane-bomber, fighter, transport, trainer
or other type-will hereafter have a name of its own instead of
being a mere number. In adopting this policy, the Army and
Navy will follow a practice which has long been in effect in
England and which has made certain plane names household
words throughout the world.
   Many American combat planes are already widely known
by a particular name, but certain minor changes have been
made, as in the case of the Curtiss P-40 series of fighters,
models of which have been known as the "Tomahawk," "Kitty-
hawk" and "Warhawk," but which hereafter will be known
only as the "Warhawk." The new names of the United States
combat planes, together with the old letter-numeral designa-
tions and the companies manufacturing them are the following:

        Navy and
 Army    Marine Cps    Manufacturer   Name
            HEAVY BOMBERS
B-17               Boeing      Flying Fortress
B-24     PB4Y       Consolidated   Liberator

            MEDIUM BOMBERS
B-18               Douglas     Bolo
B-23               Douglas     Dragon
B-25     PBJ        North American  Mitchell
B-26               Martin      Marauder
B-34     PV         Vega       Ventura

            LIGHT BOMBERS
A-20     BD         Douglas     Havoc (Attack)
A-24     SBD        Douglas      Dauntless (Dive)
A-25     SB2C        Curtiss      Helldiver (Dive)
A-29     PBO        Lockheed     Hudson (Patrol)
A-34     SB2A       Brewster      Buccaneer (Dive)
A-35               Vultee       Vengeance (Dive)
       SB2U        Vought-Sikorsky Vindicator (Dive)
       TBD        Douglas     Devastator (Torpedo)
       TBF        Grumman     Avenger (Torpedo)

            PATROL BOMBERS
             (Flying Boats)
OA-10    PBY        Consolidated    Catalina
       PB2Y        Consolidated    Coronado
       PBM        Martin        Mariner

                 FIGHTERS
P-38               Lockheed     Lightning
P-39               Bell        Airacobra
P-40               Curtiss      Warhawk
P-43               Republic     Lancer
P-47               Republic     Thunderbolt
P-51               North American  Mustang
       F2A        Brewster     Buffalo
       F4F        Grumman    Wildcat
       F4U        Vought-Sikorsky  Corsair

            SCOUTING OBSERVATION
                (Seaplanes)
       SO3C       Curtiss       Seagull
       OS2U       Vought-Sikorsky  Kingfisher

                TRANSPORTS
C-43    GB         Beech       Traveler
C-45A   JRB         Beech       Voyager
C-46    R5C         Curtiss      Commando
C-47    R4D1        Douglas      Skytrain
C-53    R4D3        Douglas      Skytrooper
C-54    R5D         Douglas     Skymaster
C-56    R5O         Lockheed     Lodestar
C-61    GK         Fairchild      Forwarder
C-69               Lockheed     Constellation
C-76               Curtiss      Caravan
C-87               Consolidated   Liberator Express
      JR2S         Vought-Sikorsky Excalibur

                TRAINERS
PT-13 & 17  N2S1 & 3      Boeing      Caydet [sic]
PT-19 & 23            Fairchild     Cornell
PT-22     NR        Ryan       Recruit
       N2T       Timm       Tutor
BT-13 & 15  SNV       Vultee       Valiant
AT-6     SNJ        North American  Texan
AT-7     SNB2       Beech       Navigator
AT-8 & 17            Cessna      Bobcat
AT-10              Beech       Wichita
AT-11     SNB1       Beech       Kansas [sic]
AT-13 & 17 [sic]         Fairchild      Yankee Doodle
AT-15              Boeing       Crewmaker
AT-19              Vultee       Reliant
       SNC        Curtiss      Falcon

                LIAISON
L-1              Vultee       Vigilant
L-2              Taylorcraft     Grasshopper
L-3              Aeronca      Grasshopper
L-4     NE (Navy     Piper       Grasshopper
       Trainer)

Source: Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America

(Source: "Army and Navy to Designate Warplanes by Popular Names," Morning Call, January 25, 1943, 20.)

EDIT (24-12-16): Another article about the same announcement has slightly different wording as well as additional paragraphs that were omitted from the example above:

Army And Navy Recognize
Popular Names Of Aircraft
Designations Will Enable Public To Identify Models
On War Fronts Mentioned In News
-----
[Special Dispatch to The Sun]
Washington, Jan. 3-In order
that the general public may get
a better idea of the character of mili-
tary aircraft and more easily iden-
tify the combat planes mentioned
in press dispatches from the battle-
fields of the world, the army and
navy have officially recognized the
popular names which have become
associated with the various models,
according to a joint announcement
made today.
 This practice has long been in
effect in England and the names
"Spitfire" and "Hurricane" have
become almost household words
both there and in this country. The
British have also adopted certain
names for American-built aircraft
and, with few exceptions, these
names have been retained on this
side of the water.
 Since many of these planes have
earned fame, it was felt that this
practice should be maintained
rather than attempt to plant new
and perhaps conflicting names in
the minds of the civilian popula-
tion. Certain minor changes have
been made, as in the instance of
the Curtiss P-40 series which has
been known variously as the "Toma-
hawk," "Kittyhawk" and "War-
hawk," but will now be known only
as the "Warhawk."
  "Wildcat" Is Exception
 One important exception to the
rule of adopting the British name
is the navy' carrier fighter, the
Grumman "Wildcat." In the Fleet
Air Arm of the Royal Navy, this
plane is called the "Martlet."
Against the Japanese the "Wild-
cat" has made the reputation of
being the best carrier-based fighter
in the world and to help the Amer-
ican public follow this model's ex-
ploits in action with the Fleet Air
Arm, as well as out own, the Royal
Navy has been requested to con-
sider adopting our name. Present
indications are that this request
will be approved.
 In carrying out this plane-nam-
ing plan, the manufacturers' sug-
gested names were given first con-
sideration and, unless there was
good reason, these suggestions were
approved.
 With a few exceptions, where
manufacturers have not yet sub-
mitted suggested names, the fol-
lowing will be applied to American
aircraft (army and navy technical
designations are also given):
 [Ed. Redundant table omitted]
 A change, made at the request
of the manufacturer, is North
American's advanced trainer, which
has for several years borne the
name of "Harvard" in Great Brit-
ain. From now on, this plane will
be known as the "Texan" in the
United States, even though it may
continue to bear the other name
abroad.

(Source: "Army and Navy Recognize Popular Names of Aircraft," The Sun, January 4, 1943, 6.)

Last edited by Noha307 on Mon Dec 16, 2024 11:50 pm, edited 2 times in total.

[Noha307]

BOMBERS

                 Model          Approved
Original Designer   Army       Navy        Name

Boeing        B-17                  Fortress

Douglas       B-18                   Bolo

Douglas       B-23                   Dragon

Consolidated     B-24        PB4Y        Liberator

North American    B-25        PBJ        Mitchell

Martin        B-26         JM        Marauder

Boeing        B-29                  Superfortress

Vega         B-34        PV         Ventura

Douglas       A-20 (P-70)     BD          Havoc
                                (Boston)*

Douglas       A-24        SBD         Dauntless

Curtiss       A-25         SB2C, SBM, SBF   Helldiver

Douglas       A-26                   Invader

Lockheed      A-29        PBO          Hudson

Martin       A-30                    Baltimore

Vultee       A-31, A-35                 Vengeance

Brewster      A-34        SB2A         Bermuda

North American   A-36 (P-51)                Mustang

                 Model          Approved
Original Designer   Army       Navy        Name
BOMBERS (Continued)

Grumman                TBF, TBM       Avenger

Consolidated     OA-10      PBY, PB2B, PBM    Catalina

Consolidated              PB2Y         Coronado

Martin                 PBM          Mariner


FIGHTERS

Lockheed       P-38                  Lightning

Bell          P-39                  Airacobra

Curtiss        P-40                  Warhawk
                              (Kittyhawk)*

Republic       P-43                  Lancer

Republic       P-47                  Thunderbolt

North American   P-51 (A-36)               Mustang

Northrop      P-61                   Black Widow

Douglas      P-70 (A-20)                Havoc
                              (Boston)*

Vought-Sikorsky            F4U, FG, F2G, F3A   Corsair

Grumman               F6F          Hellcat

Grumman               F4F, FM        Wildcat

LIAISON

Taylorcraft     L-2 (O-57)                Grasshopper

Aeronca      L-3 (O-58)                Grasshopper

Piper        L-4 (O-59)    NE          Grasshopper

Vultee       L-5 (O-62)    OY           Sentinel

                 Model          Approved
Original Designer   Army       Navy        Name
OBSERVATION (Continued)

Vultee       O-49                   Vigilant

Curtiss       O-52                   Owl

Lockheed     O-56 (B-34)                Ventura

Taylorcraft     O-57 (L-2)                Grasshopper

Aeronca      O-58 (L-3)                Grasshopper

Piper        O-59 (L-4)                Grasshopper

Vultee       O-62 (L-5)                Sentinel

Curtiss                SO3C          Seamew

Vought-Sikorsky           OS2U, OS2N       Kingfisher

TRAINERS

North American  AT-6       SNJ           Texan
                                (Harvard)*

Beech       AT-7       SNB           Navigator

Beech       AT-10                   Wichita

Beech       AT-11      SNB           Kansan

Boeing      AT-15                    Crewmaker

North American  AT-16                    Harvard

Cessna      AT-17 (UC-78)                Bobcat
                               (Crane)*

Lockheed     AT-18 (A-29)   PBO            Hudson

Vultee       AT-19                    Reliant

Fairchild     AT-21                     Gunner

North American BT-9, BT-14                  Yale

Fleetwing    BT-12                     Sophomore

Stearman    PT-13, PT-17    N2S            Caydet
         PT-18, PT-27

                 Model          Approved
Original Designer   Army       Navy        Name

TRAINERS (Continued)

Fairchild       PT-19, PT-23, PT-26           Cornell

Ryan        PT-21, PT-22    NR          Recruit

Timm                  N2T         Tutor

Curtiss                 SNC         Falcon

TRANSPORTS

Beech       C-43        GB           Traveller

Beech       C-45        JRB           Expeditor

Curtiss       C-46        R5C          Commando

Douglas      C-47        R4D           Skytrain
                                (Dakota)*

Douglas      C-49, C-53     R4D           Skytrooper
                                (Dakota)*

Douglas      C-54        R5D           Skymaster

Lockheed     C-56, C-60     R5O           Lodestar

Fairchild      UC-61       GK            Forwarder
                                 (Argus)*

Howard                GH           Nightingale

Lockheed     C-63 (AT-18) (A-29)              Hudson

Curtiss      C-76                     Caravan

Cessna      UC-78 (AT-17)    JRC           Bobcat

Consolidated   C-87         RY            Liberator

Vought-Sikorsky             JR2S          Excalibur

Grumman    OA-9          JRF          Goose

Grumman                J4F          Widgeon

(Source: “Policy for Naming of Aircraft” (Joint Aircraft Committee, 1944). via Warbird Information Exchange)

[Noha307]

        MILITARY AIRCRAFT
 DESIGNER     AAF DESIGNATIONS   APPROVED NAME
BOMBERS
 Boeing . . . . B-17 . . . . Fortress
 Douglas . . . . B-18 . . . . Bolo
 Douglas . . . . B-23 . . . . Dragon
 Consolidated . . B-24 . . . . Liberator
 North American. . B-25 . . . . Mitchell
 Martin . . . . B-26 . . . . Marauder
 Boeing . . . . B-29 . . . . Superfortress
 Vega. . . . . B-34 (O-56) . . Ventura
 Douglas . . . . A-20 (P-70) . . Havoc
 Douglas . . . . A-24 . . . . Dauntless
 Curtiss . . . . A-25 . . . . Helldiver
 Lockheed . . . A-29 (AT-18) . . Hudson
 Martin . . . . A-30 . . . . Baltimore
 Vultee . . . . A-31, A-35 . . . Vengeance
 Brewster. . . . A-34 . . . . Bermuda
 North American. . A-36 (P-51) . . Mustang

FIGHTERS
 Lockheed . . . P-38 . . . . Lightning
 Bell . . . . . P-39 . . . . Airacobra
 Curtiss . . . . P-40 . . . . Warhawk
 Republic . . . P-47 . . . . Thunderbolt
 North American. . P-51 (A-36) . . Mustang
 Northrop . . . P-61 . . . . Black Widow
 Bell . . . . . P-63 . . . . King Cobra [sic]
 Douglas . . . . P-70 (A-20) . . Havoc

LIAISON
 Taylorcraft . . . L-2 (O-57) . . . Grasshopper
 Aeronica [sic]. . . . L-3 (O-58) . . . Grasshopper
 Piper. . . . . L-4 (O-59) . . . Grasshopper
 Vultee . . . . L-5 (O-62) . . . Sentinel

OBSERVATION
 Vultee . . . . O-49 . . . . Vigilant
 Curtiss . . . . O-52 . . . . Owl
 Lockheed . . . O-56 (B-34) . . Ventura
 Taylorcraft . . . O-57 (L-2) . . . Grasshopper
 Aeronica [sic]. . . . O-58 (L-3) . . . Grasshopper
 Piper. . . . . O-59 (L-4) . . . Grasshopper
 Vultee . . . . O-62 (L-5) . . . Sentinel

TRAINERS
 North American. . AT-6 . . . . Texan
 Beech . . . . AT-7 . . . . Navigator
 Beech . . . . AT-10 . . . . Wichita
 Beech . . . . AT-11 . . . . Kansan
 Boeing . . . . AT-15 . . . . Crewmaker
 North American. . AT-16 . . . . Harvard
 Cessna . . . . AT-17 . . . . Bobcat
 Lockheed . . . AT-18 (A-29) . . Hudson
 Vultee . . . . AT-19 . . . . Reliant
 Fairchild. . . . AT-21 . . . . Gunner
 North American. . BT-9, BT-14 . . Yale
 Fleetwing [sic] . . . BT-12 . . . . Sophomore
 Vultee . . . . BT-13, BT-15 . . Valiant
 Stearman . . . PT-13, PT-17
          PT-18, PT-27 . . Cadet
 Fairchild. . . . PT-19, PT-23
          PT-26 . . . . Cornell
 Ryan. . . . . PT-21, PT-22 . . Recruit

TRANSPORTS
 Beech . . . . C-43 . . . . Traveller
 Beech . . . . C-45 . . . . Expediter
 Curtiss . . . . C-46 . . . . Commando
 Douglas . . . . C-47 . . . . Skytrain
 Douglas . . . . C-49, C-53. . . Skytrooper
 Douglas . . . . C-54 . . . . Skymaster
 Lockheed . . . C-56, C-60 . . . Lodestar
 Lockheed . . . C-63 (AT-18)
          (A-29) . . . . Hudson
 Lockheed . . . C-69 . . . . Constellation
 Curtiss . . . . C-76 . . . . Caravan
 Consolidated . . C-87 . . . . Liberator
 Grumman     OA-9 . . . . Goose

(Source: AAF: The Official Guide to the Army Air Forces (New York, NY: Pocket Books, Inc., 1944), 126-127.)

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      U. S. ARMY PLANES POWERED WITH WRIGHT ENGINES

Manufacturer and Army Designation   Mission     Wright Engine  H.P. Per Engine
Boeing B-29 Super Fortress     Super-Bomber     4 Cyclone 18's     2,200
Boeing B-17 Fiying Fortress     Heavy Bomber     4 Cyclone 9's     1,200
Curtiss A-25 Helldiver        Dive Bomber      1 Cyclone 14    1,700
Douglas A-20 Havoc        Attack Bomber     2 Cyclone 14's     1,600
Douglas C-49           Cargo          2 Cyclone 9's     1,200
Douglas P-70 Havoc        Fighter         2 Cyclone 14's     1,600
Douglas A-24 Dauntless       Dive Bomber      1 Cyclone 9     1,000
Lockheed C-60 Lodestar      Cargo          2 Cyclone 9's     1,200
Lockheed C-69 Constellation    Transport        4 Cyclone 18's     2,200
Lockheed AT-18 Hudson      Gunnery Trainer     2 Cyclone 9's     1,200
Martin A-30 Baltimore       Attack Bomber     2 Cyclone 14's     1,600
North American B-25 Mitchell   Medium Bomber     2 Cyclone 14's     1,700

      U. S. NAVY PLANES POWERED WITH WRIGHT ENGINES

Manufacturer and Navy Designation   Mission     Wright Engine  H.P. Per Engine
Curtiss SB2C-1 Helldiver     Scout Bomber     1 Cyclone 14     1,700
Curtiss SNC-1 Falcon       Scout Trainer     1 Whirlwind 9     450
Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless     Scout Bomber     1 Cyclone 9      1,200
Douglas R4D-2 Skytrooper     Transport      2 Cyclone 9's      1,200
Eastern Aircraft TBM-1 Avenger**  Torpedo Bomber   1 Cyclone 14     1,700
Eastern Aircraft FM-2 Wildcat**  Fighter        1 Cyclone 9      1,350
Grumman TBF Avenger      Torpedo Bomber    1 Cyclone 14     1,700
Grumman J2F-5         Utility         1 Cyclone 9     1,200
Lockheed R50-4 Lodestar    Transport        2 Cyclone 9's     1,200
Lockheed PBO-1 Hudson     Patrol Bomber     2 Cyclone 9's     1,200
Martin PBM-1 Mariner      Patrol Bomber     2 Cyclone 14's     1,600
Martin PBM-3 Mariner      Patrol Bomber     2 Cyclone 14's     1,700
Martin Mars           Patrol Bomber     4 Cyclone 18's    2,000
North American PBJ Mitchell   Patrol Bomber     2 Cyclone 14's     1,700
NAF N3N-3           Trainer        1 Whirlwind 7      235

**Grumman designed and developed

      R. A. F. PLANES POWERED WITH WRIGHT ENGINES

Type of Plane   British Designation   Mission     Wright Engine  H.P. Per Engine
Boeing B-17*    Fortress I      Heavy Bomber   4 Cyclone 9's   1,200
Brewster SB2A-1†  Bermuda      Dive Bomber    1 Cyclone 14   1,700
Canadian Car and
Foundry SBW-1†   Helldiver      Scout Bomber   1 Cyclone 14   1,700
Canadian Vickers  Delta I       Photographic    1 Cyclone 9   890
Douglas DB7-A‡   Havoc II      Night Fighter    2 Cyclone 14's   1,600
Douglas DB7-B‡   Boston I, II, IIIA   Bomber      2 Cyclone 14's   1,600
Grumman GB36-A‡ Martlet I, IV     Fighter      1 Cyclone 9   1,200
Grumman TBF†   Tarpon       Torpedo Bomber  1 Cyclone 14   1,700
Lockheed 14‡
 414-40      Hudson I and II   Bomber      2 Cyclone 9's   1,100
Lockheed 414-56‡ Hudson III      Bomber      2 Cyclone 9's   1,200
Vega B-37*     Ventura       Bomber     2 Cyclone 14's   1,700
Lockheed C-60*  Lodestar II      Transport     2 Cyclone 9's   1,200
Martin A-30*    Baltimore      Dive Bomber   2 Cyclone 14's   1,600
Vultee
 A-31C*     Vengeance III     Dive Bomber   1 Cyclone 14   1,600
Vultee
 A-35B*     Vengeance IV     Bomber     1 Cyclone 14   1,700
North American
 B-25C*     Mitchell       Medium Bomber  2 Cyclone 14's   1,700

‡ Manufacturers Designation   * U.S. Army Designation   † U.S. Navy Designation

(Source: Enginology, Second (Paterson, New Jersey: Public Relations, Wright Aeronautical Corporation, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, 1945), 71.)

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AIRCRAFT OF THE U. S. ARMED FORCES

This is believed to be the most complete releasable list of aircraft in use by the United States armed
forces in this war that has ever been compiled. It was assembled by the editors of FLYING with the
assistance of the Army Air Forces and the Navy. A few still secret combat aircraft are not listed.

 Army    Navy    Popular                           Army    Navy    Popular
 Desig.   Desig.    Name      Designer        Remarks      Desig.   Desig.    Name      Designer        Remarks
 B-17   |. . . . . . . .| Flying Fortress   | Boeing    | Production now tapering off.   | XP-52 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Bell  | Proposed plane never built.
 B-18   |. . . . . . . .| Bolo        | Douglas   | Two 830-h.p. Wrights.       | P-53 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss | Cancelled. Continental
 B-19   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas   | Experimental heavy bom-     |         |          |    | 1,000-h.p. engine.
                           ber, one built.           | XP-54 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Vultee | One 1,600-h.p. Lycoming.
 XB-19A |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas   | Same as B-19 but with four     | XP-55 |. . . . . . . .| Ascender    | Curtiss | Tail-first, pusher-type plane
                                                                 | 2,600-h.p. Allisons. flying wing; destroyed.
 B-20   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Boeing   | Never built.           | XP-56 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Northrop | Magnesium plane, not to be
 XB-21  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North   | Projected high altitude bom-                             | produced. Flying wing.
                    | American  | ber; dropped.           | XP-57 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Tucker | Cancelled.
 XB-22  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas  | Improved version of B-18;      | XP-58 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed | Two 2,000-h.p. P. & W.'s.
                          | dropped.              | P-59 |. . . . . . . .| Airacomet      | Bell | Twin GE jet engines.
 B-23   |. . . . . . . .| Dragon      | Douglas  | Obsolete but still used.       | YP-60 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss | High altitude fighter, built
 B-24   | PB4Y   | Liberator     | Consolidated | Four 1,200-h.p. P. & W.'s.                         | and discontinued.
 B-25   | PBJ    | Mitchell     | North    | Two 1,700-h.p. Wrights.      | P-61 |. . . . . . . .| Black Widow   | Northrop | Night fighter, two P. & W.
                   | American   | 2,000-h.p. engines.
 B-26   | JM    | Marauder     | Martin   | Two 2,000-h.p. P. & W.'s.      | XP-62 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss | Only two built.
 XB-27  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Martin   | Never built.            | P-63 |. . . . . . . .| Kingcobra    | Bell | Allison 1,200-h.p. engine.
 XB-28  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North   | Pressurized medium bom-      | P-64 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North | Only six built; obsolete.
                    | American   | ber; project suspended.                      | American
 B-29   |. . . . . . . .| Superfortress   | Boeing   | High level super bomber.      | XP-65 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Grumman | Project cancelled.
 B-30   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed  | Designation cancelled.       | P-66 |. . . . . . . .| Vanguard    | Vultee | P. & W. 1,200-h.p. engine.
 B-31   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas    | Designation cancelled.      | XP-67 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| McDonnell | Built and project dropped. |
 B-32   |. . . . . . . .| Dominator     | Consolidated  | High level super bomber.    | XP-68 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Vultee | Project cancelled.
 XB-33  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Martin      | Four-engined bomber; can-   | XP-69 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Republic | Project cancelled.
                            | celled.              | P-70 |. . . . . . . .| Havoc     | Douglas | Night fighter version of A-20.
 B-34   | PV-1   | Ventura      | Lockheed     | Two 2,000-h.p. P. & W.’s.    | P-71 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss-Wright | Project cancelled.
 XB-39  |. . . . . . . .| Superfortress   | Boeing       | Four 2,600-h.p. Allsons.    | P-73 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . .| Never assigned.
 YB-40  |. . . . . . . .| Flying Fortress   | Boeing      | Guns only.          | P-74 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 XB-41  |. . . . . . . .| Liberator     | Consolidated   | Guns only.           | XP-75 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| General Eight built, project dropped.
. . . . . . . .| PBY    | Catalina     | Consolidated    | Two 1,200-h.p. P. & W.’s.                      | Motors
. . . . . . . .| PBY-5A  | Catalina     | Consolidated    | Amphibious version, retrac-   | P-76 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Bell | Project cancelled.
                            | table gear.             | XP-77 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Bell | All-wood; Ranger engine.
. . . . . . . .| PB2Y   | Coronado     | Consolidated   | Four 1,200-h.p- P. & W.'s.    | P-78 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North | Designation cancelled (be-
 B-24N  | PB4Y-2  | Privateer     | Consolidated   | Single-tailed Liberator.                       | American | came P-51B).
. . . . . . . .| P4Y    | Corregidor    | Consolidated   | Only one; not in operajion.   | P-79 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .| PBN    | Catalina     | Consolidated   | Built in NAF*.          | P-80 |. . . . . . . .| Shooting Star   | Lockheed | Single jet engine.
. . . . . . . .| PV-1   | Ventura      | Lockheed     | Two 2,000-h.p. P. & W.'s.    | P-322 |. . . . . . . .| Lightning    | Lockheed |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .| PV-2   | Harpoon      | Lockheed    | Developed from Ventura.     | P-400 |. . . . . . . .| Airacobra    | Bell |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . .| PBM   | Mariner       | Martin     | Two 1,500-h.p. Wrights.    |. . . . . . . .| F2A   | Buffalo   | Brewster | One 1,200-h.p. Wright.
                                            . . . . . . . .| XFD   |. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Details not available.
                                            . . . . . . . .| F4F   | Wildcat      | Grumman | 1,200-h.p. engine.
                 ATTACK BOMBERS                    . . . . . . . . | F5F   | Skyrocket    | Grumman | Twin-engined fighter,
                                                             | dropped.
 A-20   | BD    | Havoc       | Douglas   | Two 1,600-h.p. Wrights.      |. . . . . . . .| F6F   | Hellcat    | Grumman | One 2 100-h.p. P.4&W.
 A-21   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Stearman  | Two 1,400-h-p. P. & W.'s.      |. . . . . . . .| F7F   | Tigercat    | Grumman | Two 2,100-h.p. P.& W.'s.
 A-22  |      | Maryland     | Martin    | Two 1,200-h.p. P. & W.'s.      |. . . . . . . .| F8F   | Bearcat    | Grumman | Based on Wildcat.
 A-23   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Martin    | Two 2,200-h.p. engines;      |. . . . . . . .| FM   | Wildcat    | Grumman | Built by General Motors;
                           | cancelled.                                    | same as F4F-8.
 A-24   | SBD   | Dauntless     | Douglas    | Production completed.       |. . . . . . . .| F4U   | Corsair    | Vought | One 2,000-h.p. P. & W.
 A-25   | SB2C   | Helldiver     | Curtiss-Wright | Army version of Curtiss       |. . . . . . . .| F3A   | Corsair    | Vought | Made by Brewster.
                           | Helldiver.             |. . . . . . . .| F6   | Corsair    | Vought | Made by Goodyear.
 A-26   |. . . . . . . .| Invader      | Douglas    | Two 2,000-h.p. P. & W.’s.
 A-27   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North     | Two 1,000-h.p. Wrights.
                      | American
 A-28   | PBO   | Hudson       | Lockheed   | Two 1,200-h.p. P. & W.’s
 A-29   | PBO   | Hudson       | Lockheed   | Two 1,200-h.p. Wrights.
 A-30   |. . . . . . . .| Baltimore     | Martin     | Used mainly by British.         TRANSPORT AND UTILITY CARGO
 A-31   |. . . . . . . .| Vengeance I    | Consolidated | One 1.700-h.p. Wright.
 XA-32  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Brewster    | Experimental dive bomber.
 A-33   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas    | . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | C-33 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | DC-2; has two Wright 750-
 A-34   | SB2A   | Buccaneer     | Brewster   | Out of production.                           | h.p. engines.
 A-35 . .|. . . . . . . .| Vengeance II    | Consolidated | One 1,500-h.p. Wright.       | C-34 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Another version of C-33.
 A-36   |. . . . . . . .| Mustang      | North     | Erroneously called        | C-35 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed | Based on Lockheed Model
                     | American    | “Invader.”                             | 10-A (Electra).
 A-37   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Hughes     | Only one built.         | UC-36 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed | Version of the Electra.
 A-38   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Beech      | Two 2,250-h.p. P. & W.'s.    | C-37 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed | Version of the Electra.
 A-39   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Fleetwing    | Only two built,         | C-38 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Commercial DC-3.
 A-40   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss-Wright  | Only one built.         | C-39 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Hybrid; had fuselage of DC-2,
. . . . . . . .| SB2C   | Helldiver      | Curtiss-Wright  | One 1,600-h.p. Wright.                           | wings and tail of DC-3.
. . . . . . . .| SBF    | Helldiver      | Curtiss-Wright | Built by Fairchild in Canada.   | C-40 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed | Model 12. .
. . . . . . . .| SBW    | Helldiver     | Curtiss-Wright | Built Canadian Car &       | C-41 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Version of commercial DC-3.
                           | Foundry.              | C-42 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Version of commercial DC-3.
. . . . . . . .| SB2A   | Bermuda      | Brewster   | One 1,700-h.p. Wright.      | UC-43 | GB   | Traveler | Beech | One 450-h.p. engine.
. . . . . . . .| SBD    | Dauntless     | Douglas   | Out of production.         | C-44 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Messerschmitt | Commercial Me-108.
. . . . . . . .| SB2D   | Destroyer     | Douglas    | Only four built.          | UC-45 | JRB   | Expeditor | Beech | Based on Beech 18-S.
. . . . . . . .| TBD    | Devastator     | Douglas   | Obsolete.             | C-46 | R5C   | Commando | Curtiss | Two 1,500-h.p. P. & W.’s.
. . . . . . . .| TBF    | Avenger      | Grumman   | One 1,700-h.p. engine.      | C-47 | R4D   | Skytrain | Douglas DC-3 version with large car-
. . . . . . . .| TBM    | Avenger      | Grumman   | Built by General Motors.                      | go door; two P. & W
. . . . . . . .| SB2U   | Vindicator      | Vought   | Obsolete              | C-48 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | DC-3 version.
. . . . . . . .| TBY    | Seawolf      | Chance    | Built by Consolidated Vul-
                     | Vought    | tee.               | C-49 | R4D | Skytrooper | Douglas | DC-3 version with airline
                                                             | door, two Wright engines.
                                             | C-50 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | DC-3 version.
                   FIGHTERS                     | C-51 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas Similar to C-49D.
                                             | C-52 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Version of C-49,
 XP-37  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss     | Low-wing fighter         | C-53 | R4D   | Skytrooper | Douglas | DC-3 version with airline
 P-38   |. . . . . . . .| Lightning    | Lockheed     | Two 1,728-h.p. Allisons.                       | door; two P. & W.’s.
 P-39   |. . . . . . . .| Airacobra    | Bell        | Now out of production.     | C-54 | R5D   | Skymaster | Douglas | DC-4 version with four P. &
 P-40   |. . . . . . . .| Warhawk    | Curtiss      | Production now stopped.                       | W. 1,350-h.p. engines.
 XP-41  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Seversky    | P-35 with different engine,     | C-55 |. . . . . . . .| Commando | Curtiss-Wright | Version of C-46 (CW-20)
                           | 2-stage supercharger.         | C-56 | R5O   | Lodestar Lockheed Two 1,100-h.p. Wrights.
 XP-42  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss     | Similar to P-36A except for     | C-57 | R5O   | Lodestar | Lockheed Two 1,200-h.p. P. & W.'s.
                          | long nose, engine, prop.         | C-58 |. . . . . . . .| Bolo | Douglas | Converted B-18.
 P-43   |. . . . . . . .| Lancer      | Republic      | One 1,200-h. p. P. & W.     | C-59 | R5O   | Lodestar | Lockheed | Version of commercial 18-07.
 XP-44  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Republic     | Never built.           | C-60 | R5O   | Lodestar | Lockheed | Various engines for different .
 P-45   |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . .| Designation cancelled.
 XP-46  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss      |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . | UC-61 | GK   | Forwarder | Fairchild | One 165-h.p. Warner
 XP-47  |. . . . . . . .| Thunderbolt    | Republic     | Version never built.        | C-62 |. . . . . . . .| Waco | All-wood, twin-engined.
 P-47   |. . . . . . . .| Thunderbolt    | Republic     | P. & W. 2,000-h.p. engine.    | C-63 |. . . . . . . .| Super Electra | Lockheed | Converted Hudson bomber.
 P-47A  |. . . . . . . .| Thunderbolt    | Republic     | One 1,200-h.p. engine.      | UC-64 |. . . . . . . .| Noorduyn | One 600-h.p. P. & W.
 XP-48  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas      | Designation cancelled.      | C-65 |. . . . . . . .| Stout | 90-h.p. pusher-type plane.
 XP-49  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed     | Similar to P-38 but with      | C-66 | R5O   |. . . . . . . .| Lockheed | Commercial 18-10.
                            | Continental engines.        | C-67 |. . . . . . . .| Dragon | Doulgas | Converted from B-23 bomber.
 XP-50  | XF5F   | Skyrocket     | Grumman     | Twin-engined fighter.       | C-68 |. . . . . . . .| Douglas | Regular DC-3 interior.
 P-51   |. . . . . . . .| Mustang     | North       | Merlin and Allison engines.    | C-69 |. . . . . . . .| Constellation | Lockheed | Four 2,200-h.p. Wrights.
                    | American                     | UC-70 | GH   | Nightingale | Howard | Jacobs & P. & W. engines.

 Army    Navy    Popular                           Army    Navy    Popular
 Desig.   Desig.    Name      Designer        Remarks      Desig.   Desig.    Name      Designer        Remarks
 UC-71 |. . . . . . . .| Executive     | Spartan   | One P. &W. 450-h.p. engine.
 UC-72 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Waco    | S. & E. cabin biplane.                LIAISON AND OBSERVATION
 C-73  |. . . . . . . .| 247-D airliner   | Boeing   | Two P. & W. engines.
 C-74  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas   | Four 2,400-h.p. P. & W.'s.      | L-1 |. . . . . . . .| Vigilant | Vultee | One 300-h.p. Lycoming.
 C-75  |. . . . . . . .| Stratoliner     | Boeing   | Back on TWA airline.         | L-2 |. . . . . . . .| Grasshopper | Taylorcraft | One 65-h.p. Continental.
 C-76  |. . . . . . . .| Caravan      | Curtiss   | Wooden plane: discontinued.     | L-3 |. . . . . . . .| Grasshopper | Aeronca |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 C-77  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Cessna   | Commercial DC-6A.          | L-4 | AE   | Grasshopper | Piper | One 100-h.p. Lycoming.
 UC-78 | JRC    | Bobcat       | Cessna   | Trainer and transport.        | L-5 | OY   | Sentinel | Stinson | One 190-h p- Lycoming.
 C-79  |. . . . . . . .| Captured Ju-52  | Junkers   | Three-engined planes cap-      | L-6 |. . . . . . . .| Grasshopper | Interstate | Interstate Model S-1B.
                         | tured from Germans.          | L-7 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Monocoupe | Built by Universal.
 UC-80 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Harlow    | Similar to Harlow PIC.        | L-8 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Interstate | Model 90.
 UC-81 |. . . . . . . .| Reliant      | Stinson    | Similar to Stinson SR-8B.       | L-9 |. . . . . . . .| Voyager | Stinson Based on Stinson 10A.
 C-82  |. . . . . . . .| Packet      | Fairchild    | Two 2,100-h.p. P. & W.'s.      | L-10 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Ryan | Model SCW-145.
 UC-83 |. . . . . . . .| Cub Cruiser    | Piper     | Similar to civilian plane.       | L-11 |. . . . . . . .| Skyrocket | Bellanca | Model 31-50.
 C-84  |. . . . . . . .| DC-3       | Douglas    | Standard commercia) DC-3.     | L-12 |. . . . . . . .| Reliant | Stinson | Equivalent of Model SR-5A.
 UC-85 |. . . . . . . .| Orion       | Lockheed   | Low-wing Lockheed 9D-2.      | L-13 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Stinson | Ambulance plane.
 UC-86 |. . . . . . . .| Forwarder     | Fairchild   | With Ranger engine.         | L-14 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Piper | Cub with 125-h.p. engine.
 C-87  | RY    | Liberator     |      |                   | O-25 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | Wright engines.
          | Express      | Consolidated | Transport Liberator.          | O-47 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North Similar to North American
 C-88  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Fairchild   | Version of Fairchild F-45.                         | American Model GA-15.
 C-89  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Hamilton   | Version of Hamilton H-47      | O-49 |. . . . . . . .| Vigilant | Vultee | One Lycoming 300-b.p. en-
 C-90  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Luscombe  | Version of Silvaire.                             | gine (Redesignated L-1).
 C-91  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Stinson    | Version of Stinson Model A.     | O-52 |. . . . . . . .| Owl | Curtiss-Wright | One P. &W. h.p. engine.
 C-92  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Funk     | Version of Funk Model B75-L.    | O-53 |. . . . . . . .| Havoc | Douglas | Version of A-20.
 C-93  | RB-1   | Conestoga     | Budd     | Stainless steel; discontinued.    | O-56 |. . . . . . . .| Ventura | Lockheed | Modified B-37.
 UC-94 |. . . . . . . .| Airmaster     | Cessna     | Version of C-165 with War-     | O-57 |. . . . . . . .| Grasshopper | Taylorcraft | One Continental 65-h.p. en-
                           | ner 145-h.p. engine.                            | gine. (Redesignated L-2).
 C-95  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Taylorcraft   | Version of Taylorcraft BL-65    | O-58 |. . . . . . . .| Grasshopper | Aeronca | Same as L-3.
 UC-96 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Fairchild    | Similar to Model “71.”       | O-59 | NE   | Grasshopper | Piper | Same as L-4.
 C-97  |. . . . . . . .| Stratocruiser   | Boeing     | Based on Superfortress.      | O-62 |. . . . . . . .| Sentinel | Stinson | Same as L-5.
 C-98  | B-314   | Clipper      | Boeing     | Pan American clipper planes.   | OA-9 | JRF-6A | Goose | Grumman | Two 450-h.p. P. & W. .'s.
 C-99  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Consolidated  | Six-engined super transport   | OA-10 | PBY   | Catalina | Consolidated | Two 1,200-h.p. P. & W.’s.
                           | (based on B-36).         | OA-11 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Sikorsky | Destroyed.
 UC-101 |. . . . . . . .| Vega        | Lockheed   | Designation of the Vega 5-C.   | OA-12 | J2F-5  | Duck | Grumman | One Wright R1820 engine.
 UC-102 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Rearwin    | Based on Rearwin 9000-KR.   | OA-13 | JRF   | Goose | Grumman | Model G-21-A.
 UC-103 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Grumman   | Based on Grumman G-32A.    | OA-14 | J4F2  | Widgeon | Grumman | Coast Guard version of G-44.
 C-104  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Lockheed   | Designation cancelled.      | OA-15 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Republic | One 240-h.p. engine.
 C-105  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Boeing    | Converted XB-15; only one.   |. . . . . . . .| SOC  |. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Curtiss-Wright | Biplane, obsolete
 C-106  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Cessna    | Two 500-h.p. engines.     |. . . . . . . .| SC-1  | Seahawk | Curtiss-Wright | New ship-based floatplane.
 C-107  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Consolidated | Only one built.         |. . . . . . . .| SO3C  | Seagull | Curtiss-Wright | Obsolescent.
 XC-108 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Boeing    | Converted Fortress.       |. . . . . . . .| SON  | No name | Curtiss-Wright | Built in NAF*.
 C-109  |. . . . . . . .| Flying Tanker   | Consolidated | Modified Liberator        |. . . . . . . .| PB4Y-1P | Liberator | Consolidated | Photo-recon. version.
. . . . . . . .| M-130   | Clipper      | Boeing    | Pan American Clippers.     |. . . . . . . .| JM-1P  | Marauder | Martin | Target-towing and photog.
. . . . . . . .| PB2Y   | Coronado     | Consolidated | Four 1,200-h.p. P. & W.'s.    |. . . . . . . .| OS2U  | Kingfisher | Vought One Wright 450-h.p. engine.
. . . . . . . .| R3D    |. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas   | Same as DC-5.         |. . . . . . . .| OS2N  | Kingfisher | Vought | Built in NAF*.
. . . . . . . .| JRF    | Goose       | Grumman  | Two 450-h.p. P. & W.’s
. . . . . . . .| J2F    | Duck        | Grumman  | Wright 890-h.p. engine.
. . . . . . . .| J2F-6   | Duck        | Grumman  | Built by Columbia Aircraft.
. . . . . . . .| J4F    | Widgeon      | Grumman  | Coast guard version of J4F-1.              PHOTO PLANES
. . . . . . . .| JRM    | Mars        | Martin    | Four 2,000-h.p. Wrights.    | F-1 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Fairchild | Commercial Model 71.
. . . . . . . .| PB2M   | Mars        | Martin    | Production version of JRM.   | F-2 |. . . . . . . .| Kansas | Beech | Photo version of trainer.
. . . . . . . .| PBM-3R  | Mariner      | Martin    | Transport version of bomber.   | F-3 |. . . . . . . .| Havoc | Douglas | Photo version of A-20.
. . . . . . . .| JRS-1   |. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Sikorsky   | Two 150-h p. P. & W's.      | F-4 |. . . . . . . .| Lightning | Lockheed | Photo version of P.38E.
. . . . . . . .| JR2S   | Excalibur      | Sikorsky   | American Export Line planes.  | F-5 |. . . . . . . .| Lightning | Lockheed | Photo version of P-38E.
. . . . . . . .| HE-1   |. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Piper     | Two-place ambulance plane.   | F-5E |. . . . . . . .| Lightning | Lockheed | Photo version of P-38J.
                                           | F-6 |. . . . . . . .| Mustang | North | Photo version of P-51.
       PRIMARY, BASIC AND ADVANCED TRAINERS                              | American
 PT-13  | N2S   | Kaydet       | Stearman   | Lycoming 220-h.p. engine.    | F-8 | PB4Y-1P | Liberator | Consolidated | Photo version of Liberator.
 PT-14  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Waco     | Continental 220-h.p. engine   | F-9 |. . . . . . . .| Flying Fortress | Boeing | Photo version of Fortress.
 PT-15  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| St. Louis   | Model PT-1W.          | F-10 |. . . . . . . .| Mitchell | North | Photo version of B-25.
 PT-16  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Ryan     |. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .              | American
 PT-17  | N2S   | Kaydet       | Stearman    | Continental and Lycoming   | F-13 |. . . . . . . .| Superfortress | Boeing | Modified B-29.
                   | (Boeing) | engines.
 PT-18  |. . . . . . . .| Kaydet      | Stearman    | Jacobs 225-h.p. engine.    | F-13A |. . . . . . . .| Superfortress | Boeing | Photo plane, six cameras.
 PT-19  |. . . . . . . .| Cornell I     | Fairchild    | One Ranger 175-h.p. engine.
 PT-20  |. . . . . . . .| Cornell      | Ryan     | 125-h.p. engine.
 PT-21  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Ryan    | Kinner 125-h.p. engine.              GLIDERS AND HELICOPTERS
 PT-22  | NR    | Recruit       | Ryan    | Kinner 160-h.p. engine.
 PT-23  |. . . . . . . .| Cornell      | Fairchild   | One 220-h.p. Continental.    | TG-1 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Frankfort | Commercial glider.
 PT-24  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| DeHavilland | Made in Britain—140-       | TG-2 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Schweizer | Two-place training glider.
                            | h.p. engine.          | TG-3 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Schweizer Two-place training glider.
 PT-25  | NR    |. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Ryan     | Lycoming 185-h.p. engine.    | TG-4A |. . . . . . . .| Yankee Doodle | Laister- | Two-place trainer.
 PT-26  |. . . . . . . .| Cornell II     | Fairchild    | One 200-h.p. Ranger.                | Two      | Kauffmann
 PT-27  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Fleet     | One 200-h.p. Ranger.      | TG-5 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Aeronca | Glider version of powered
. . . . . . . .| NH-1   | Nightingale    | Howard    | Similar to Howard D6A.                        | Aeronca Defender (L-3B).
. . . . . . . .| N3N   | No name      | NAF*     | One 235-h.p. engine.      | TG-6 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Taylorcraft Three-place training glider
. . . . . . . .| NE-1   | Grasshopper    | Piper     | Similar to Piper liaison plane.                     | (L-2B).
. . . . . . . .| N2T   | Tutor        | Timm     | One 220-h.p. Continental.   | TG-7 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . .| Polish-made.
 BT-9   | SNJ   | Texan       | North     | Similar to AT-6.         | TG-8 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Piper | Three-place training glider
                   | American                                          | (L-4B).
 BT-10  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North     | P. & W. 850-h.p. engine.    | TG-9 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Briegler | Glider.
                    | American                  | TG-10 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Wichita | Glider.
 BT-11  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Aircraft    | Project discontinued.                       | Engineering
                    | Research                  | TG-12 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Bowlus | Two-place training glider.
 BT-12  |. . . . . . . . .| Sophomore   | Fleetwings   | One 450-h.p. P. & W.      | CG-1 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Frankfort | Eight-place glider.
 BT-13  | SNV    | Valiant      | Consolidated  | One 480-h.p. P. & W.     | CG-2 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Brankfort | Fifteen-place glider.
 BT-14  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| North      | One 450-h.p. Wright.    | CG-3A |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Waco | Cargo glider; gross weight
                     | American                                    | 4,400 pounds.
 BT-15  | SNV    | Valiant      | Consolidated  | One 440-h.p. Wright.     | CG-4A |. . . . . . . .| Haig      | Waco | Cargo glider, gross weight
 BT-16  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Vidal      | Modified B-13 (Valiant)                      | 7,800 pounds.
 XBT-17 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Stearman   | Only one was built.      | CG-5 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| St. Louis | Eight-place glider.
. . . . . . . .| SNC    | Falcon      | Curtiss     | “Intermediate trainer”.    | CG-6 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| St. Louis | Fifteen-place glider.
 AT-6   | SNJ    | Texan      | North      | One 600-h.p. P. & W.     | CG-7 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Bowlus | Eight-place glider.
            | American                          | CG-8 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Bowlus | Fifteen-place glider.
 AT-7   | SNB-2   | Navigator    | Beech      | Pilot, co-pilot, 3 students.   | CG-9 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| AGA | Thirty-place glider.
 AT-8   | JRC-1   | Bobcat      | Cessna     | Two 280-h.p. Lycomings.   | CG-10A |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Laister- | Will carry six tons of aerial
 AT-9   |. . . . . . . .| Jeep       | Curtiss     | Two 280-h.p. Lycomings.                        | Kauffmann | freight, 42-place.
 AT-10  |. . . . . . . .| Wichita      | Beech      | Two 295-h.p. Lycomings.   | CG-11 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Snead | Thirty-place glider.
 AT-11  | SNB-1   | Kansas      | Beech       | Two 450-h.p. engines.   | CG-12 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| York | Thirty-place glider.
 AT-12  |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Republic     | One 1,065-h.p. engine.   | CG-13A |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Waco | Cargo glider, gross weight
 AT-13  |. . . . . . . .| Yankee Doodle   | Fairchild    | Two 550-h.p. P. & W.’s                            | 16,765 pounds; 30-place.
 AT-14  |. . . . . . . .| Yankee Doodle   | Fairchild      | Two 520-h.p. Rangers   | CG-14 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Chase | Fifteen-place glider.
 AT-15  |. . . . . . . .| Crew Maker    | Boeing       | Two 600-h.p. P. & W.’s   | CG-15A |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Waco | Cargo glider, loading through
 AT-16  |. . . . . . . .| Harvard      | Noorduyn    | British-made.                                 | nose, 15-place.
 AT-17  | JRC-1   | Bobcat      | Cessna     | Two Jacobs 225-h.p. engines.   | CG-16 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| General Air- | Forty-two-place glider.
 AT-18  | PBO    | Hudson     | Lockheed     | Converted A-29 bomber.                        | borne Tr.
 AT-19  |. . . . . . . .| Reliant      | Vultee      | One 280-h.p. Lycoming.    | CG-17 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Douglas | C-47 without engines.
                   | (Stinson)                    | XR-5 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Sikorsky | Helicopter, 450-h.p. P. & W.
 AT-20  |. . . . . . . .| Anson      | Avro        | British twin-engined aircraft. | XR-6 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Sikorsky | Helicopter built by Nash
 AT-21  |. . . . . . . .| Gunner     | Fairchild      | Wooden trainer; also built                          | Kelvinator.
                            | by Bellanca and Robertson.   | YR-4 |. . . . . . . .|. . . . . . . . . . . . . .| Sikorsky | Helicopter, 180-h.p. Warner.
 AT-22  |. . . . . . . .| Liberator    | Consolidated    | Converted Liberator. |
 AT-23  | JM-1   | Marauder     | Martin      | Converted Marauder. |
 AT-24  |. . . . . . . .| Mitchell     | North       | Converted B-25. |
                   | American

(Source: "Aircraft of the U.S. Armed Forces," Flying, September 1945, 70-71.)

Last edited by Noha307 on Mon May 01, 2023 8:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Noha307]

                 NAVY AND                           ORIGINAL
      ARMY        MARINE CORPS          NAME            MANUFACTURER
. . . . . . . . . . .   OS2U . . .  Kingfisher . . . . . . . . . .  Chance Vought
. . . . . . . . . . .   SC-1 . . .  Seahawk . . . . . . . . . .  Curtiss

C-43 . . . . . . . . .   GB . . . . .  Traveler . . . . . . . . . .  Beech
C-45 . . . . . . . . .   JRB. . . . .  Voyager . . . . . . . . . .  Beech
C-46 . . . . . . . . .   R5C. . . . .  Commando . . . . . . . . .  Curtiss
C-47 . . . . . . . . .   R4D . . . .  Skytrain . . . . . . . . . .  Douglas
C-53 . . . . . . . . .   R4D . . . .  Skytrooper . . . . . . . . .  Douglas
C-54 . . . . . . . . .   R5D . . . .  Skymaster . . . . . . . . .  Douglas
C-60 . . . . . . . . .   R5O . . . .  Lodestar . . . . . . . . . .  Lockheed
C-61 . . . . . . . . .   GK . . . .  Forwarder . . . . . . . . .  Fairchild
C-64 . . . . . . . . .   JA . . . .  Norseman . . . . . . . . .   Noorduyn
C-69 . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Constellation . . . . . . . .   Lockheed
C-74 . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Globemaster. . . . . . . . .  Douglas
C-82 . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Packet . . . . . . . . . . .  Fairchild
C-87 . . . . . . . . .   RY . . . .  Liberator Express . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee
C-97 . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Stratocruiser . . . . . . . .  Boeing

PT-17 & 17 . . . . .   N2S . . .  Caydet . . . . . . . . . . .  Boeing
PT-19 & 23 . . . . .   . . . . . .  Cornell . . . . . . . . . .  Fairchild
PT-22 . . . . . . . .   NR . . . .  Recruit . . . . . . . . . .  Ryan
BT-13 & 15 . . . . .   SNV . . .  Valiant . . . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee
AT-6 . . . . . . . .   SNJ . . .  Texan . . . . . . . . . . .  North American
AT-7 . . . . . . . .   SNB-2 . .  Navigator . . . . . . . . .  Beech
AT-11 . . . . . . . .   SNB-1 . .  Kansas . . . . . . . . . . .  Beech
AT-19 . . . . . . . .           Reliant . . . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee

L-4 . . . . . . . . .   NE . . . .  Grashopper . . . . . . . .  Piper
L-5 . . . . . . . . .   OY . . . .  Sentinel . . . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee

B-17 . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Flying Fortress . . . . . . .  Boeing
B-24 . . . . . . . . .   PB4Y-1 . .  Liberator . . . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee
. . . . . . . . . . .   PB4Y-2 . .  Privateer . . . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee
B-29 . . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Superfortress . . . . . . . .  Boeing

B-25  . . . . . . . .   PBJ . . . .  Mitchell . . . . . . . . . .  North American
B-26  . . . . . . . .   JM . . . .  Marauder  . . . . . . . . .  Martin
B-34  . . . . . . . .   PV-1, 3 . .  Ventura . . . . . . . . . .  Lockheed
                 PV-2 . . .  Harpoon . . . . . . . . . .  Lockheed

A-24  . . . . . . . .   SBD . . .  Dauntless . . . . . . . . .  Douglas
A-25  . . . . . . . .   SB2C . . .  Helldiver . . . . . . . . .  Curtiss
A-26  . . . . . . . .   JD . . . .  Invader . . . . . . . . . .  Douglas
. . . . . . . . . . .   TBF . . .  Avenger . . . . . . . . . .  Grumman
. . . . . . . . . . .   TBM . . .  Avenger . . . . . . . . . .  General Motors
. . . . . . . . . . .   AM . . . .  Mauler . . . . . . . . . .  Martin
. . . . . . . . . . .   AD . . . .  Skyraider . . . . . . . . .  Douglas

OA-10 . . . . . . . .   PBY  . . .  Catalina . . . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee
. . . . . . . . . . .   PB2Y  . . .  Coronado . . . . . . . . .  Consolidated Vultee
. . . . . . . . . . .   PBM  . . .  Mariner . . . . . . . . . . Martin 
. . . . . . . . . . .   JRM  . . .  Mars . . . . . . . . . . .  Martin

P-38  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Lightning . . . . . . . . .  Lockheed
P-47  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Thunderbolt . . . . . . . .  Republic
P-51  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Mustang . . . . . . . . . .  North American
P-61  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Black Widow . . . . . . . .  Northrop
P-63  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Kingcobra . . . . . . . . .  Bell
P-80  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  Shooting Star . . . . . . . .  Lockheed
P-82  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  North American 
P-84  . . . . . . . .   . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Republic
. . . . . . . . . . .   F4U  . . .  Corsair  . . . . . . . . . .  Chance Vought
. . . . . . . . . . .   F3A  . . .  Corsair  . . . . . . . . . .  Brewster
. . . . . . . . . . .   FG . . . .  Corsair  . . . . . . . . . .  Goodyear
. . . . . . . . . . .   F6F  . . .  Hellcat  . . . . . . . . . .  Grumman
. . . . . . . . . . .   F7F  . . .  Tigercat  . . . . . . . . . .  Grumman
. . . . . . . . . . .   F8F  . . .  Bearcat  . . . . . . . . . .  Grumman
. . . . . . . . . . .   FR . . . .  Fireball  . . . . . . . . . .  Ryan

(Source: Recognition Pictorial Manual, Supplement No. 4, FM 30–30 (Washington, D.C.: War Department, 1946), 41-42.)

[Noha307]

             QUIZ

1. Why are Aviation Supply personnel concerned with classes and
models of naval aircraft?
2. Match the name, manufacturer, and recognition characteristics
with the navy designations in the following columns:

                      Recognition
Navy Designation Name   Manufacturer     Characteristics

A. F4U-1 A. Panther A. McDonnell  A. Short thick fuselage
                    and square wing
                    tips.
B. F7F-2 B. Mauler B. Douglas    B. "Fish head" nose of
                    fuselage, and engine
                    nacelles project far
                    forward of wing.
C. F9F-2 C. Neptune C. Martin    C. Twin-jet, low wing,
                    Navy fighter with
                    wing set well back
                    on a thin fuselage.

D. F2H-1 D. Banshee D. Chance-   D. Long untapered
             Vought    fuselage with com-
                    paratively small fin
                    and rudder, small
                    engine cowling, and
                    bubble canopy lo-
                    cated well forward.
E. AD-1  E. Skymaster E. Lockheed E. Sweptforward with
                    large dorsal fairing.
F. FH-1  F. Tigercat F. Piasecki   F. Inverted gull wing.
G. AM-1 G. Piasecki G. Sikorsky   G. High gull wing and
                    twin rudder tail.
H. R4D  H. Phantom H. Bell     H. A low-wing mono-
                    plane with four
                    radial engines.
I. KDD  I. Skytrain  I. Grumman   I. No dihedral in stab-
                    ilizer.
J. HRP-1 J. Bearcat J. Goodyear   J. "Droop snoot" wing
                    and a pressurized
                    cockpit located far
                    forward on the thick
                    fuselage.
K. R5D  K. Mercator K. Fairchild  K. Two radial engines
                    forward and two jet
                    engines aft.
L. PBM-3 L. Mariner L. Consolidated L. Called also C-47,
                    DC-3, and the
                    Dakota.
M. P2V-2 M. Mariner M. North    M. Pilotless drone
             American
N. P4M-1  N. Corsair N. Boeing   N. Mid-wing mono-
                    plane with single
                    fin and rudder, high
                    mid-mount wing
                    with straight lead-
                    ing edge, sharply
                    trailing edge, and
                    squared off tips.
O. F8F-1 O. No name O. Ryan   O. Helicopter.

(Source: Aviation Supply (Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1951), 20-21.)

[Noha307]

         U.S. AIRCRAFT NAMES AND DESIGNATIONS
   Type    Air Force   Navy and Marine Corps    Name     Manufacturer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      |        |       |          |
BOMBER  |        |       |          |
 Heavy-------| B-52-------------|--------------------| Stratofortress---------| Boeing
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
 Medium------| B-47-------------|--------------------| Stratojet-------------| Boeing
      | B-58-------------|--------------------| Hustler--------------| Convair
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
 Light--------| B-57-------------|--------------------|----------------------| Martin
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
      |        |       |          |
 Attack-------|------------------| AD----------------| Skyraider-------------| Douglas
      | B-66-------------| A3D---------------| Destroyer/Skywarrior--| Douglas
      |        | A4D---------------| Skyhawk-------------| Douglas
      |        | A2F---------------| Intruder--------------| Grumman
      |        | AJ-----------------| Savage---------------| North American
      |        | A3J----------------| Vigilante-------------| North American
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
 Patrol--------|------------------| P4M---------------| Mercator-------------| Martin
      |         | P5M---------------| Marlin---------------| Martin
      |         | P2V---------------| Neptune-------------| Lockheed
      |         | P3V---------------| Orion----------------| Lockheed

   Type    Air Force   Navy and Marine Corps    Name     Manufacturer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      |        |       |          |
FIGHTER-----| F-84F-----------|--------------------| Thunderstreak--------| Republic
      | F-86-------------| FJ-----------------| Sabre/Fury-----------| North American
      | F-89-------------|--------------------| Scorpion-------------| Northrop
      | F-94C-----------|--------------------| Starfire---------------| Lockheed
      | F-100------------|--------------------| Super Sabre----------| North American
      | F-101------------|--------------------| Voodoo--------------| McDonnell
      | F-102------------|--------------------| Delta Dagger---------| Convair
      | F-104------------|--------------------| Starfighter------------| Republic
      | F-105------------|--------------------| Thunderchief---------| Republic
      | F-106------------|--------------------| Delta Dart-----------| Convair
      |        | F3D---------------| Skynight-------------| Douglas
      |        | F4D---------------| Skyray---------------| Douglas
      |        | F9F---------------| Cougar---------------| Grumman
      |        | F11F--------------| Tiger----------------| Grumman
      |        | F2H---------------| Banshee--------------| McDonnell
      |        | F3H---------------| Demon---------------| McDonnell
      |        | F4H---------------| Phantom II-----------| McDonnell
      |        | F8U---------------| Crusader-------------| Chance-Vought
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
RECONNAIS-| RB-47-----------|--------------------| Stratojet-------------| Boeing
 SANCE/ | RB-57-----------|--------------------|----------------------| Martin
 WARNING| RB-66-----------|--------------------| Destroyer------------| Douglas
      | RC-121C, D------| WV-2, 3-----------|----------------------| Lockheed
      | RC-130A---------|--------------------| Hercules-------------| Lockheed
      | RF-84F----------|--------------------| Thunderflash---------| Republic
      | RF-101----------|--------------------| Voodoo--------------| McDonnell
      | WB-66-----------|--------------------|----------------------| Douglas
      |        | WF-2--------------| Tracer---------------| Grumman
      |        | W2F---------------| Hawkeye-------------| Grumman
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
ASW----------|------------------| S2F----------------| Tracker--------------| Grumman
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
TANKER------|------------------| GV-1--------------|----------------------| Lockheed
      | KB-50-----------|--------------------|----------------------| Boeing
      | KC-97-----------|--------------------| Stratofreighter--------| Boeing
      | KC-135----------|--------------------| Stratotanker----------| Boeing

   Type    Air Force   Navy and Marine Corps    Name     Manufacturer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      |        |       |          |
TRANSPORT/| C-45-------------| SNB---------------| Expeditor/Voyager-----| Beech
CARGO   |
      | C-47-------------| R4D---------------| Skytrain-------------| Douglas
      | C-54-------------| R5D---------------| Skymaster------------| Douglas
      | C-97-------------|--------------------| Stratocruiser----------| Boeing
      | C-118------------| R6D---------------| Liftmaster------------| Douglas
      | C-119------------| R4Q---------------| Flying Boxcar---------| Fairchild
      | C-121------------| R7V---------------| Super-Constellation [sic]----| Lockheed
      | C-123------------|--------------------| Provider--------------| Fairchild
      | C-124------------|--------------------| Globemaster II--------| Douglas
      | C-130------------|--------------------| Hercules--- ----------| Lockheed
      | C-131------------| R4Y---------------| Samaritan------------| Convair
      | C-133------------|--------------------| Cargomaster----------| Douglas
      | VC-137----------|--------------------| Stratoliner------------| Boeing
      | C-140------------|--------------------| Jet Star [sic]--------------| Lockheed
      |        | TF----------------| Trader---------------| Grumman
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
TRAINER  |-----------------| SNB---------------| Navigator------------| Beech
      | T-28-------------| T-28---------------|----------------------| North American
      | T-29-------------|--------------------| Flying Schoolroom-----| Convair (Consoli-
      |        |        |          | dated-Vultee)
      | T-33-------------| TV2---------------| Shooting Star---------| Lockheed
      | T-34-------------| T34 [sic]----------------| Mentor---------------| Beech
      | T-37-------------|--------------------|----------------------| Cessna
      | T-38-------------|--------------------| Talon----------------| Northrop
      | T-39-------------|--------------------| Sabreliner------------| North American
      |        | T2J----------------| Pinto----------------| North American
      |        | T2V---------------|----------------------| Lockheed
      | TB-25-----------|--------------------| Mitchell--------------| North American
      | TB-47-----------|--------------------| Stratojet-------------| Boeing
      | TC-121----------|--------------------|----------------------| Lockheed
      | TF-102----------|--------------------|----------------------| Consolidated-Vultee
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
      |        |        |          |
SEARCH/  | SA 16-----------| UF----------------| Albatross-------------| Grumman
RESCUE   |        |       |          |
      | SB 29-----------|--------------------| Superfortress----------| Boeing

   Type   Army    Air Force   Navy and Marine Corps    Name     Manufacturer
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      |    |      |     |       |
HELICOPTER | H-13----| H-13--------| HTL 5 [sic]-------| Sioux--------------| Bell
      |    |      | HTL 7 [sic]-------|--------------------| Bell
      | H-19----| H-19--------| H04S/HRS [sic]---| Chickasaw----------| Sikorsky
      | H-21----| H-21--------|--------------|--------------------| Piasecki
      | H-23----| H-23--------|--------------| Raven-------------| Hiller
      |    |      | HUP---------| Army Mule---------| Piasecki
      | H-34----|--------------| HSS/HUS----| Choctaw-----------| Sikorsky
      | H-37----|--------------| HR2S--------| Mojave------------| Sikorsky
      |    | H-43A-B-----| HOK/HUK---|--------------------| Kamen [sic]
      | HC-1B--|--------------|--------------| Chinook------------| Boeing-Vertol
      | HU1A [sic]---|--------------|--------------| Iroquois------------| Bell
      |    |      | HSS 2 [sic]-------|--------------------| Sikorsky
      |    |      | HU2K-------|--------------------| Kamen [sic]
      |    |      | HUL--------|--------------------| Bell
      |    |      |     |       |
      |    |      |     |       |
      |    |      |     |       |
OBSERVA-  | AC-1----|--------------|--------------| Caribou------------|
 TION/  |    |      |     |       |
 UTILITY |    |      |     |       |
      | AO-1----|--------------|--------------| Mohawk-----------| Grumman
      |    |      | JD----------| Invader------------| Douglas
      | L-19-----|--------------| OE----------| Birddog [sic]------------| Cessna
      | L-20-----| L-20---------|--------------| Beaver-------------| de Havilland
      | L-23D---|--------------|--------------| Seminole-----------| Beech
      | U-1A----|--------------| UC-1--------| Otter--------------| de Havilland

                   Navy and
     Type      Air Force   Marine Corps    Name     Manufacturer
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          |       |      |      |
MISCELLANEOUS-------| U-2-------------|--------------|----------------| Lockheed
          | U-3A------------|--------------|----------------| Cessna
          | X-15------------|--------------|----------------| North American

(Source: Aircraft Recognition Manual, FM 30–30 (Washington, D.C., 1962), 7-11.)

[Noha307]

The modern version of these lists is Model Designations of Military Aerospace Vehicles, DoD 4120.15-L, published by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense. However, in contrast to the examples above, it doesn't just list the "popular names" model by model, but variant by variant. The list of manned aircraft in the most recent revision runs 62 pages alone, so rather than type it all out, I'll just note that it has been released in at least three editions which can be found at the following links: October 1998, 12 May 2004 and 31 August 2018.

[JohnB]

Sone omissions...
On the helicopter page near the bottom, they list the H-21 and fail to give it its Army name Shawnee.
Likewise, the Kaman Seasprite.
Oddly, no Navy nicknames for the H-34 series...the Seahorse and Seabat.

They do give the H-25 nickname the Army Mule.
I have a hunch that was more of a Piasecki bestowed "PR" name than something the service did.
Likewise, the "Workhorse" name seen on the Air Force H-21 prototype.

And speaking of Army helicopter tribal names, it seems in real life they were seldom used.
The only ones that seem to have stuck with the public are Chinook, Apache and Blackhawk. Maybe Kiowa.
Tahre and Cayuse...not so much. Iroquois?...never.

I would bet you could go to any VFW, or Foreign Legion post (or anywhere else where vets congregate), and say "I used to crew..."(fill in the blank tribe name for most other than the popular ones mentioned) and get blank looks in return.

Last edited by JohnB on Sun Nov 17, 2024 11:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Noha307]

Oddly, no Navy nicknames for the H-34 series...the Seahorse and Seabat.

The impression I always had with the early postwar helicopters names was that there was a significant divide between the Army and the Navy. All of the names you see quoted for the helicopters only really applied to the Army and the Navy generally just didn't use them.

I'd compare it to calling an SNJ a "Texan". I don't know if it's technically correct or not, but it feels weird. (As an aside, a visitor to the museum once told me that SNJ stood for "Sorry, No Jet" as I believe there was a question of whether or not he would be assigned to jets or something like that.) If anything, it seems the Navy was prone to coming up with unofficial names based on the designation. (e.g. HRP as "Harp") Which makes sense, I guess, as its easier to do with that multi-letter style than, say, "H-37".

Likewise, the "Workhorse" name seen on the Air Force H-21 prototype.

It could be comparable to what I've always understood the situation with the YF-23 to be. Namely, a nickname that was applied to a single airframe - "Black Widow II" - ended up being applied to the entire series because only two aircraft were ever built. (Something which, I learned just today from a video, was as much the result of a red safety marking on the airplane as much as it was company history.)

It also worth comparing to the prototype C-82, which, as seen in a picture, had "Flying Boxcar" and associated nose art painted on the nose more prominently than its official nickname of "Packet". (The background of the name "Flying Boxcar" has an interesting story in and of itself - something I touched on in another thread.)

And speaking of Army helicopter tribal names, it seems in real life they were seldom used.

I'd second that. According to a DOD article, the Native American scheme was the result of a decision by General Hamilton Howze. However, given that it sounds like it might have been a pet project of his, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a case of him advocating for it and no one else going along with it for a while. Indeed, the article notes that the first helicopter he named was the Sioux, which was ordered in 1947, but the specific Army regulation establishing it as official policy, AR 70-28, was not promulgated until 1969. So, my best guess is that it was unofficial from 1947 until 1969, which would explain why there was not widespread adoption during that time.

It's worth noting, however, that the Army was far from the first organization to use the Native American motif. The Butler Blackhawk flew in the late 1920s and the Thunderbird Aircraft Company used two logos (1, 2) distinctly inspired by the indigenous legend at the same time. About 15 years later North American would do the same thing with its P-51. Finally, in the early 1950s, around the same time as the Army decision, Piper began its series of tribe nicknames with the Piper Apache. (It even went so far as to feature a woman dancing on the wing of a Cherokee in a Native American headress in a promotional picture.)

Another interesting fact: The Army helicopter Native American naming scheme was responsible for one of only two American military aircraft named after an individual person. (The other aircraft being the B-25 "Mitchell".) The Tarhe nickname for the CH-54 specifically refers to the leader of the Wyandot tribe. (Technically, the F-14 could be considered a third, depending on how much weight you put on the "Tom Connolly's Cat"/Thomas Hinman Moorer etymology.[2] The alternative being that the "Tomcat" name had been around since the F7F.)

[dhfan]

Is there a difference between US and UK terminology here? Name and nickname seem to be used interchangeably.

In UK usage, as applied to the previous post, the aircraft is named the Fairchild Packet, nicknamed the Flying Boxcar.

To use a couple of British aircraft as examples, the Fairey Swordfish is nicknamed the Stringbag. The Vickers-Armstrong Wellington is nicknamed the Wimpey.

[Noha307]

Name and nickname seem to be used interchangeably.

If you're referring to my last post above, part of that is my fault. I should be more specific with the terminology.

However, you've touched on something I've never been able to completely pin down myself. Deciding what term to use to refer to the entire "[Manufacturer] [Model] [Nickname]" is difficult. I've started using calling it the "title", but that's entirely self-derived.

Regarding the third portion of the "title" for U.S. military aircraft, I've encountered at least three different possibilities for what to call it:

• All three versions of DoD 4120.15-L (1998, 2004, 2018) use "Popular Name". The official announcement of the names (1943) as well as an article in Flying (1945) also use this phrase. It is a reference to the idea that it would give the general public a way to refer to aircraft that would be easier to remember than a designation.
• On the other hand, AAF: The Official Guide to the Army Air Forces (1944) mirrors the Joint Aircraft Committee in using the phrase "Approved Name". It highlights the fact that the names had official government sanction.
• Unhelpfully, both versions of FM 30–30 (1946, 1962) simply call it "Name".

Personally, I use the terms "official nickname" and "unofficial nickname" to refer to, for example, Thunderbolt II and Warthog respectively for the A-10. It's kind of strange - the terms are oxymoronic and redundant, respectively, as nicknames are by definition informal - but it's the best solution for a weird situation.

The Department of Defense is very specific in regards to terminology for each portion of the designation, or "Mission Design Series", however. They are, from left to right, "Status Prefix", "Modified Mission", "Basic Mission" and "Vehicle Type".

Is there a difference between US and UK terminology here?

The main difference is that the British convention is (or at least was) to think of their aircraft in terms of the "nickname", while Americans think (or at least thought) in terms of the designation. (To put it another way, with the British the name is "integral" to the designation. Calling a Supermarine Spitfire Mk I just a "Mk I" doesn't make sense, but a North American P-51D Mustang can easily be called just a "P-51D".) The importance is that whichever portion isn't the primary means of identification tends to be more of an afterthought. Yes, each country has adopted aspects of the other, but the tendency remains. As a result, it may be that distinguishing between the terms "name" and "nickname" was just not that much of a priority for the United States.

Interestingly, the general aviation and corporate jet markets tends to elide the designation a bit more and resemble the British format of simply "[Manufacturer] [Nickname]". (e.g. Piper Cherokee or Grumman Gulfstream IV) However, this is presumably the result of needing to focus more on marketing the aircraft to consumers and an emulation of automobile "titles". It has gotten to the point that "[Manufacture Year] [Manufacturer] [Nickname]" format has even leaked in a few places - namely sales listings in places such as Trade-a-Plane or Barnstormers.

Another distinction between the US and UK is, as I understand it, the former will use the term "model", where the latter will use "type". (For example, a "late model B-17" being used to identify the B-17E and later variants.) The Brits will also throw in some sort of convoluted "series" nonsense for commercial aircraft that I have yet to fully understand. (e.g. AW.660, BAC 1-11, HS.125, Trident)