Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Tue May 14, 2024 3:06 pm

dhfan wrote:And hoping to woo the Australians, Canberra.

Sea Fury MKXXX doesn't tell you the finer details but you know it's an aircraft.

When I see a reference to an F43X-2-G3 I don't know if it's a patent medication, a government form or an aeroplane.

And I strongly suspect the Kiwis with Wellington (it worked, if so).
The Brits adding the role initials() after the name was an improvement.

Tue May 14, 2024 4:59 pm

Probably not.
The Wellington's predecessor was the Wellesley and Arthur Wellesley's title as Duke of Wellington was taken from the Somerset town of the same name.

Tue May 14, 2024 6:32 pm

Because the justification given is always the sole reason for something?

Tue May 14, 2024 9:56 pm

dhfan wrote:When I see a reference to an F43X-2-G3 I don't know if it's a patent medication, a government form or an aeroplane.

In modern life, I guess we are expected to have a memory and familiarity with alphanumeric designations:
MX-5, 3 Series, F-150 in vehicles , iPhone XXV, Dell5635 in electronics.

If you want aircraft designations to tell you a lot, I'd suggest the pre-1962 USN (and similar wartime IJN) designation system: Mission, builder, model and sub model.
Tells one more (perhaps more than you want to know) than a arbitrary name.

Tue May 14, 2024 10:48 pm

ErrolC wrote:Because the justification given is always the sole reason for something?

Yes, in this case. Confirmed by Putnam's Vickers Aircraft since 1908. Named after the town, perpetuated the name of the Duke and established the practice of using a 'W' for aircraft designed by Barnes Wallis.

Sun Nov 17, 2024 7:59 pm

Real Photographs Company wrote:CHECK LIST OF AMERICAN AIRCRAFT IN BRITISH SERVICE
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| Makers' | U.S. Service | U.S. Service |
Maker | No. and Name | Number | Name | British Name
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BELL | P-400 | P-39D | "Airacobra" | "Airacobra I"
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BOEING | B-299H | B-17D | "Flying Fortress" | "Fortress I"
| B-299O | B-17E | "Flying Fortress" | "Fortress IIA"
| B-299P | B-17F | "Flying Fortress" | "Fortress II"
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BREWSTER | 339E | F2A-2 | "Buffalo II" | "Buffalo I"
| 439 | F2A-3 | "Buffalo III" | "Buffalo II"
| 340 | SB2A-2 | "Buccaneer" | "Bermuda"
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CESSNA | T50-T | AT-8, AT-17 | "Bobcat" | "Crane"
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CONSOLI- | 28-4 | PBY-4 | "Catalina IV" | "Catalina I"
DATED | 28-5 | PBY-5 | "Catalina V" | "Catalina II"
| 28-5A | {OA-10 | - | {"Catalina III"
| | {PBY-5A | - | {R.C.A.F. 'Cansos'
| 29-3 | PB2Y-3 | "Coronado" | "Coronado I"
| 32B, L.B.30A | B-24B | "Liberator" | "Liberator I"
| 32C, L.B.30B | B-24C | "Liberator" | "Liberator II"
| 32D, L.B.30B | B-24D | "Liberator" | "Liberator III"
| 32E | B-24E | "Liberator" | "Liberator IV"
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CURTISS | Helldiver 77 | SBC-4 | - | "Cleveland I"
| - | SB2C-1 | "Helldiver" | "Helldiver I"
| Seagull | SO3C-1 | "Seagull" | "Seamew I"
| Hawk 75A-3 | P-36C | - | "Mohawk III"
| Hawk 75A-4 | P-36E | - | "Mohawk IV"
| Hawk 81A-1 | P-40A | - | "Tomahawk I"
| Hawk 81A-2 | P-40B | - | "Tomahawk IIA
| Hawk 81A-3 | P-40C | - | "Tomahawk IIB"
| Hawk 87A-2 | P-40D | - | "Kittyhawk I"
| Hawk 87A-3 | P-40E | - | "Kittyhawk I"
| Hawk 87A-4 | P-40F | "Warhawk" | "Kittyhawk II"
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CURTISS- | CW-20 | C-55 | "Commando" |
WRIGHT | | |
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DOUGLAS | DB-7 (second | - | - | "Boston II" and
| versions) | | | "Havoc I"
| DB-7A | {A-20A, A-20B | - | "Havoc II"
| | {A-26 | - |
| DB-7B | {A-20C | "Havoc" | "Boston III"
| | {BD-2 | - |
| DB-280 | B-18A | | "Digby"
| DC-3 | C-47 | "Skytrain" | "Dakota I"
| | {C-53 | |
| DC-3A | {R4D-1 | "Skytrooper" | "Dakota II"
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FAIRCHILD | M-62 | PT-19A | "Cornell" | "Cornell"
| M-62A | PT-26 | "Cornell" | "Cornell"
| F-24W.41A | C-61 | "Forwarder" | "Argus"
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GRUMMAN | G-21B | {OA-9 | - | "Goose"
| | {JRF-1, JRF-2, | - |
| | {JRF-4 | |
| G-36A | F4F-3 | "Wildcat I-IV" | "Martlet," I-IV.
| G-36A | F4F-4 | "Wildcat V" | "Martlet V"
| | F4F-5 | "Wildcat VI" | "Martlet VI"
| G-44, | J4F-1 | - | "Gosling"
| "Widgeon" | | |

Real Photographs Company wrote:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Makers' | U.S. Service | U.S. Service |
Maker | No. and Name | Number | Name | British Name
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LOCKHEED | 322-61 | P-38D | "Lightning" | "Lightning"
| 414-56-01 | A-29 | "Hudson" | "Hudson III"
| 414-08 | A-28 | "Hudson" | "Hudson IV"
| Vega 37 | B-34 | "Ventura" | "Ventura"
| 18 | C-56 | "Lodestar" | "Lodestar"
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MARTIN | 162 | PBM-3 | "Mariner III" | "Mariner I"
| 162 | PBM-4 | "Mariner IV" | "Mariner II"
| 167B4 | A-22 | - | "Maryland"
| 179 | {B-26B | "Marauder" | "Marauder I"
| | {B2M-1 | |
| 187 | A-30 | - | "Baltimore I"
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NORTH | NA-16-1E | {AT-1, BC-1 | - | "Harvard I"
AMERICAN | | {SNJ-1 | |
| NA-16-3 | {AT-6A,BC-1A| "Texan" | "Harvard II"
| | {SNJ-2, SNJ-3 | |
| NA-62B | B-25B | "Mitchell II" | "Mitchell I"
| NA-64 | BT-14 | - | "Yale"
| NA-73 | P-51 | "Mustang" | "Mustang I"
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NORTHROP | N-3PB | - | - | (No name yet)
| 8A-3P | {A-17A | - | "Nomad"
| | {BT-1 | |
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REPUBLIC | "Thunderbolt" | P-47B | "Thunderbolt" | "Thunderbolt I"
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STEARMAN | A75N-3 | {PT-13E | - | (No name yet)
| | {N2S-3 | - |
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UNITED | VS-310 | OS2U-3 | "Kingfisher III" | "Kingfisher I"
AIRCRAFT | V-156 "Corsair" | SB2U-2, | "Vindicator II" | "Chesapeake I"
(VOUGHT- | | SB2U-3 | "Vindicator III" | "Chesapeake II"
SIKORSKY) | | | |
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VULTEE | Stinson SR-10 | AT-19 | "Reliant" | "Reliant"
| 48C | P-66 | - | "Vanguard I"
| 72 | A-35 | "Vengeance" | "Vengeance I"
| Vultee-Stinson 74| L-1 | "Vigilant" | "Vigilant I"

(Source: American Type Designations, Third, R.P. Publications 42/10 (Southport, Lancashire: Real Photographs Company, n.d.), 8-9.)

Mon Nov 25, 2024 8:31 pm

Real Photographs Company wrote: AEROPLANES OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES
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| U.S. | | U.S. | |
Maker's Name | Service | U.S. Service | Navy | British Name | Remarks
and/or Number | Number | Name | Version | |
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ATTACK AEROPLANES
Curtiss Shrike ... ...| A-12 | | | | Obsolescent mono.
Northrop 8A-1 ... ...| A-17 | | | | Fixed undercarriage
Northrop 8A-3P ... ...| A-17a | | BT-1 | Nomad | Retracting underc.
Curtiss 76-D ... ...| A-18 | | | | Only few squadrons
Vultee V-11A ... ...| YA-19 | | | |
Douglas DB-7A ... ...| A-20b | | | Havoc I | Boston II fighter
Douglas DB-7B ... ...| A-20c | Havoc ... ...| DB-2 | Boston III | In production
Stearman 100 ... ...| XA-21 | | | | Prototype only
Douglas ... ... ...| A-24 | Dauntless ...| SBD-3 | |
Curtiss ... ... ...| A-25 | Helldiver ...| SB2C-1 | Helldiver | Dive-Bomber
North American ... ...| A-27 | | | |
Lockheed 414-08 ... ...| A-28 | Hudson ... ...| | Hudson IV | No turret
Lockheed 414-56-01 ...| A-29 | Hudson ... ...| P.B.O. | Hudson III | No turret
Martin 187 ... ...| A-30 | Baltimore ...| | Baltimore | In production
North American ... ...| A-36 | Invader ... ...| | Mustang | Dive Bomber version
Consolidated Vultee 72 ...| A-35 | Vengeance ...| | Vengeance | Dive Bomber
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ADVANCED TRAINERS
North American NA-16-3 | AT-1 | | SNJ-1 | Harvard I | Modified BC-1a
North American ... ...| AT-6 | | | | Improved BC-1a
North American NA-16 ...| AT-6a | Texan ... ...| SNJ-3 | Harvard II |
Beechcraft 18D ... ...| AT-7 | Navigator ...| SNB-2 | | Navigation Trainer
Cessna T-50T ... ...| AT-8 | Bobcat ... ...| | Crane |
Curtiss 25-a ... ...| AT-9 | Jeep ... ...| | |
Beechcraft ... ...| AT-10 | Wichita ... ...| | | Advanced Trainer
Beechcraft 18 ... ...| AT-11 | Kansas ... ...| SNB-1 | | Bomber Trainer
Republic 2-PA Guardsman | AT-12 | | | | Advanced Trainer
Fairchild ... ... ...| AT-13 | Yankee-Doodle | | |
Fairchild ... ... ...| AT-14 | Yankee-Doodle | | |
Stearman A-75n ... ...| AT-15 | Crewmaker ...| | |
Cessna T-50T ... ...| AT-17 | Bobcat ... ...| | Crane |
Lockheed 414-56-01 ...| AT-18 | | | | Mod. Hudson
Vultee-Stinson SR-10 ...| AT-19 | Reliant ... ...| | Reliant |
Fairchild ... ... ...| AT-21 | | | |
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BOMBERS
Martin 139 ... ...| B10 | | | | Obsolescent
Martin 139 ... ...| B-10b | | | | Obsolescent
Martin 139w ... ...| B-12 | | | | Obsolescent
Douglas DB-1 ... ...| B-14 | | | | Prototype B-18
Boeing ... ... ...| XB-15 | Flying Fortress ...| | | One only
Boeing 299H ... ...| B-17d | Flying Fortress ...| | Fortress I | Turbo-supercharger
Boeing 299O ... ...| B-17e | Flying Fortress ...| | Fortress IIa | Many built
Boeing 299P ... ...| B-17f | Flying Fortress ...| | Fortress II | In production
Douglas DB-286 ... ...| B-18 | Bolo ... ...| | Digby | Bomber DC-2
Douglas DB-286 ... ...| B-18a | Bolo ... ...| | Digby | Obsolescent
Douglas B-19 ... ...| B-19 | | | | One only
North American ... ...| XB-21 | | | | One only
Douglas DB-320 ... ...| B-23 | Dragon ... ...| | | Thirty built
Consolidated 32B ... ...| B-24b | Liberator ... ...| PB4Y-1 | Liberator I | Also LB-30
Consolidated 32C ... ...| B-24c | Liberator ... ...| PB4Y-1 | Liberator II | Tricycle undercar.
Consolidated 32D ... ...| B-24d | Liberator ... ...| PB4Y-2 | Liberator III | In production
Consolidated 32E ... ...| B-24e | Liberator ... ...| PBJ-1 | Liberator IV | In production
North American NA-62b | B-25b | Mitchell ... ...| B2M-1 | Mitchell | In production
Martin 179 ... ...| B-26b | Marauder ... ...| | Marauder | In production
Martin ... ... ...| XB-27 | | | | Developed B-26
Boeing ... ... ...| B-29 | | | | Building
Consolidated ... ...| B-32 | | | | Building
Lockheed-Vega 37 ...| B-34 | Ventura ... ...| PV-1 | Ventura | In production
Lockheed 49 ... ...| B-49 | | | | Bomber Constellation
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BASIC COMBAT TRAINERS (Advanced Fighting Trainer)
North American NA-16-1E| BC-1 | | SNJ-1 | Harvard I | Pden. complete
North American NA-13-3 | BC-1a | Texan ... ...| SNJ-2 | Harvard II |
North American ... ...| BC-2 | | | |
Vultee Valiant 51 ...| BC-3 | | | |
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BASIC TRAINERS (Intermediate Trainer)
Douglas ... ... ...| BT 2b | | | | Biplane
Douglas ... ... ...| BT-2B1 | | | | Biplane
Consolidated Y1BT-7 ...| BT-7 | | | | Biplane
Republic ... ... ...| BT-8 | | | |
North American NA-16-1 | BT-9 | | NJ-1 | |
North American ... ...| BT-9a | | | |
North American NA-57 | BT-9b | | NJ-1 | |
North American ... .. | BT-9c | | | |
North American ... .. | YBT-10 | | | |
Aircraft Research ...| BT-11 | | | |
Fleetwings 23 ... .. | BT-12 | | | |
Vultee Valiant 54 .. | BT-13a | Valiant ... ...| SNV-1 | | Also BT-15
North American NA-64 | BT-14 | | | | Modified BT-9
Vultee Valiant 54 ... ...| BT-15 | Valiant ... ...| SNV-2 | | In production

Real Photographs Company wrote: AEROPLANES OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES-Continued
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| U.S. | | U.S. | |
Maker's Name | Service | U.S. Service | Navy | British Name | Remarks
and/or Number | Number | Name | Version | |
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CARGO (Transport)
Bellanca ... ... ...| C-27 | | | |
Bellanca ... ... ...| C-27a | | | |
Bellanca ... ... ...| C-27c | | | |
Fairchild ... ... ...| XC-31 | | | |
Douglas DC-2 ... ...| C-33 | | R2D-1 | |
Lockheed 10 Electra ...| C-35 | | XR20-1 | |
Lockheed 10 Electra ...| C-37 | | | |
Douglas DC-3 ... ...| C-39 | | | |
Lockheed 12B ... ...| C-40b | | JO-2 | |
Douglas ... ... ...| C-41a | | | |
Douglas ... ... ...| C-42 | | | |
Beechcraft 17A ... ...| YC-43 | | | |
Beechcraft 17R ... ...| C-43 | Traveler ... ...| GB-1 | |
Beechcraft 18 ... ...| C-45a | Voyager ... ...| JRB-2 | |
Curtiss-Wright CW-20 ...| C-46 | Commando ...| R5C | | Pden. CW-20
Douglas DC-3 ... ...| C-47 | Skytrain ... ...| R4D-1 | Dakota I | Troop transport
Douglas ... ... ...| C-48 | | | |
Douglas ... ... ...| C-49 | | | |
Douglas DC-3A ... ...| C-53 | Skytrooper ...| R4D-3 | Dakota II |
Douglas DC-4A ... ...| C-54 | Skymaster ...| R5D-1 | | In production
Curtiss CW-20 ... ...| C-55 | | | St. Louis | Prototype CW-20
Lockheed 18-08 Lodestar | C-56 | Lodestar ... ...| R5O | Lodestar |
Lockheed 18-14 ... ...| C-57 | | | |
Lockheed 18-40 ... ...| C-58 | | | |
Lockheed 18-50 ... ...| C-59 | | | |
Lockheed 18-56 Lodestar | C-60 | | | |
Fairchild F.24 W.41a ...| C-61 | Forwarder ...| G.K | Argus | In production
Noorduyn ... ...| C-64a | | | |
Lockheed ... ... ...| C-69 | Constellation ...| | |
Curtiss Caravan ... ...| C-76 | Caravan ... ...| | |
Cessna T50T ... ...| C-87 | Bobcat ... ...| | Crane |
Consolidated 32 ...| C-87 | Liberator Express | | | Liberator mod.
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PHOTOGRAPHIC
Beechcraft 18 ... ...| F-2 | | | |
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FIGHTER (Multi-seat)
Bell Airacuda ... ...| FM-1a | | | | Thirteen built
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GYROPLANE
Kellet KD-1a ... ...| YG-1a | | | |
Kellet KD-1b ... ...| YG-1b | | | |
Pitcairn Pa-33 ... ...| YG-2 | | XOP-2 | |
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OBSERVATION (Army Co-op.)
Thomas-Morse ... ...| O-19e | | | |
Douglas ... ... ...| O-38b | | | |
Douglas ... ... ...| O-38f | | | |
Curtiss Raven ... ...| YO-40b | | | |
Douglas ... ... ...| O-43a | | | |
Douglas ... ... ...| O-46a | | | |
North American NA-25 ...| O-47a | | | |
North American NA-25 ...| O-47b | | | |
Vultee-Stinson 74 ...| L-1 | Vigilant ... ...| | |
Bellanca ... ... ...| YO-50 | | | |
Ryan ... ... ...| YO-51 | Dragonfly ...| | |
Curtiss Owl ... ...| O-52 | Owl ... ...| | |
Vultee-Stinson 76 ...| L-5 | Sentinel ... ...| | |
Taylorcraft Trainer ...| O-57a | | | |
Taylorcraft... ... ...| L-2 | Grasshopper ...| | |
Aeronca Defender ...| L-3c | Grasshopper ...| | |
Piper Trainer ... ...| L-4b | Grasshopper ...| | |
Interstate ... ... ...| L-6 | | | |
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OBSERVATION (Amphibian)
Douglas ... ... ...| OA-4c | | | |
Sikorsky VS-43 ... ...| OA-8 | | JRS-1 | |
Grumman G-21b ...| OA-9 | | JRF-2 | Goose |
Consolidated 28 ...| OA-10 | Catalina ... ...| PBY-5 | Catalina III | Amphibian
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PURSUIT (Single-seat Fighter)
Boeing 281... ... ...| P-26 | | | | Obsolete
Boeing 281A ... ...| P-26a | | | | Obsolete
Boeing 281B ... ...| P-26b | | | | Obsolete
Boeing ... ... ...| P-29 | | | | Prototype
Boeing ... ... ...| P-29a | | | | Prototype
Consolidated ... ...| P-30 | | | |
Republic EP-1 ... ...| P-35a | | | |
Curtiss Hawk 75A1 ...| P-36a | | | |
Curtiss Hawk 75A2 ...| P-36c | | | |
Curtiss Hawk 75A3 ...| P-36d | | | Mohawk III |
Curtiss Hawk 75A4 ...| P-36e | | | Mohawk IV |

Real Photographs Company wrote: AEROPLANES OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES-Continued
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| U.S. | | U.S. | |
Maker's Name | Service | U.S. Service | Navy | British Name | Remarks
and/or Number | Number | Name | Version | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Curtiss Hawk ... ...| YP-37 | | | | One only
Lockheed 322-61, 422 ...| P-38d | Lightning ... ...| | Lightning | In production
Bell P-400 ... ... ...| P-39d | Airacobra ...| | Airacobra | In production
Curtiss Hawk 81A ...| P-40a | | | Tomahawk I | Many built
Curtiss Hawk 81A2 ...| P-40b | | | Tomahawk IIa | Many built
Curtiss Hawk 81A3 ...| P-40c | | | Tomahawk IIb | Many built
Curtiss Hawk 87A2 ...| P-40d | | | Kittyhawk I | Many built
Curtiss Hawk 87A3 ...| P-40e | | | Kittyhawk I | Many built
Curtiss Hawk 87A4 ...| P-40f | Warhawk ... ...| | Kittyhawk II | In production
Republic ... ... ...| XP-41 | | | | One only
Curtiss Hawk 81 ... ...| XP-42 | | | | One only
Republic Lancer ... ...| P-43a | Lancer ... ...| | | In production
Republic Warrior ...| P-44 | | | | One only
Curtiss ... ... ...| P-46 | | | | Developed P-40
Republic Thunderbolt ...| P-47b | Thunderbolt ...| | Thunderbolt | In production
Vultee 48c Vanguard ...| P-48c | | | |
Grumman Skyrocket ...| XP-50 | | XF5F-1 | Mustang | Tricycle version
North American NA-73 ...| P-51 | Mustang ... .. | | | In production
Bell ... ... ...| P-57 | | | | Radial P-39
Curtiss ... ... ...| P-60 | | | |
| P-64 | | | | Advanced Trainer
Vultee 48c ... ...| P-66 | Vanguard ... ...| | |
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PURSUIT (Two-seat Fighter)
Consolidated ... ...| PB-2 | | | |
Consolidated ... ...| PB-2a | | | |
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PRIMARY TRAINERS (Initial Trainer)
White ... ... ...| PT-7 | | | |
Consolidated 21 ...| PT-11d | | | |
Stearman 75L3 ... ...| PT-13a | | N2S-1 | | Biplane
Stearman 75L3 ... ...| PT-13b | Kaydet ... ...| N2S-1 | | Biplane
Waco F-7.VPF ... ...| PT-14 | | | |
St. Louis ... ... ...| PT-15 | | | |
Ryan ... ... ...| PT-16 | | | |
Stearman A75L-3 ... ...| PT-17 | Kaydet ... ...| N2S-3 | | Biplane
Stearman A75J-1 ... ...| PT-18 | | | | Biplane
Fairchild M-62 ... ...| PT-19a | Cornell ... ...| | | In production
Ryan S-T ... ... ...| PT-20a | | | |
Ryan ST-3 ... ... ...| PT-21 | | | |
Ryan ST-3 ... ... ...| PT-22 | Recruit ... ...| NR-1 | |
St. Louis ... ...| PT-123 | | | |
Ryan ... ... ...| PT-25 | | | | U.S. Army Air Corps
Fairchild M-62 ... ...| PT-23 | Cornell ... ...| | Cornell | In production
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U.S. ARMY GLIDERS
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Aeronca ... ... ...| TG-5 | | | | Trainer
Boeing ... ... ...| CG-4 | | | | Operational
Bowlus BM5 ... ...| | | | | Trainer
Piper ... ... ...| TG-8 | | | | Trainer
Pratt-Read LNE-1... ...| | | | | Experimental
Schweizer SGS2-8... ...| ATC-5 | | | | Transport
Steinhauser Wolf ... ...| | | | | Experimental
Taylorcraft ... ... ...| TG-6 | | | | Trainer
Waco ... ... ...| CG-4 | | | Hadrian | Operational
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AEROPLANES OF THE U.S. NAVY
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Brewster 239 ... ...| F2A-1 | Buffalo I ...| | |
Brewster 339E ... ...| F2A-2 | Buffalo II ...| | Buffalo I |
Brewster 439 ... ...| F2A-3 | Buffalo III ...| | Buffalo II | Built for Belgium
Brewster ... ... ...| | Corsair ... ...| F3A | | U.S. Navy
Curtiss Goshawk ... ...| XF12C-1 | | | | Biplane
Grumman ... ... ...| FF-2 | | | | Two-seat Biplane
Grumman ... ... ...| F2F-1 | | | |
Grumman G-37 ... ...| F3F-1 | | | | Biplane
Grumman G-37 ... ...| F3F-2 | | | | Biplane
Grumman G-37 ... ...| F3F-3 | | | | Biplane
Grumman G-36 ... ...| F4F-1 | | | |
Grumman G-36 ... ...| F4F-2 | | | |
Grumman G-36A ... ...| F4F-3 | Wildcat I ...| | Martlet I |
Grumman G-36A ... ...| F4F-3 | Wildcat II ...| | Martlet II |
Grumman G-36A ... ...| F4F-3 | Wildcat III ...| | Martlet III |
Grumman G-36 ... ...| F4F-3 | Wildcat IV ...| | Martlet IV |
Grumman ... ... ...| F4F-4 | Wildcat V ...| | Martlet V | Increased armament
Grumman ... ... ...| F4F-5 | Wildcat VI ...| | Martlet VI | Increased armament
Grumman Skyrocket ...| XF5F-1 | | | | Ordered for F.A.A.
Bell Airabonita ... ...| XFL-1 | | | | Airacobra mod.
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| XF4U-1 | Corsair ... ...| | | Cranked wing
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| F4U-1 | Corsair ... ...| | | In Production

Real Photographs Company wrote: AEROPLANES OF THE U.S. NAVY-Continued
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| U.S. | | U.S. | |
Maker's Name | Service | U.S. Service | Army | British Name | Remarks
and/or Number | Number | Name | Version | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VB-BOMBERS
Douglas DB-7B ... ...| BD-2 | Havoc ... ...| A-20c* | Boston III |
Great Lakes ... ...| BG-1 | | | | Dive Bomber
Great Lakes ... ...| B2G-1 | | | | Biplane
Martin 125 ... ...| BM-1 | | | | Biplane
Martin 125 ... ... ...| BM-2 | | | | Biplane
Martin 179 ... ...| B2M-1 | Marauder ... ...| B-26b* | Marauder |
Northrop 8A-3P ... ...| BT-1 | | A-17a* | Nomad |
Northrop ... ... ...| BT-2 | | | |
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VPB-PATROL BOMBERS
Boeing ... ... ...| XPBB-1 | | | |
Boeing ... ... ...| PBB-1 | Sea Ranger ...| | | Retracting floats
Glenn Martin 162 ...| PBM-1 | Mariner ... ...| | | Retracting floats
Glenn Martin 162 ...| PBM-2 | Mariner ... ...| | Mariner | Fixed floats
Glenn Martin 162 ...| PBM-3 | Mariner ... ...| | Mariner | Fixed floats
Glenn Martin 162 ...| PBM-4 | | | |
Glenn Martin 170 ...| XPB2M-1 | Mars ... ...| | | One only
Vought-Sikorsky 44 ...| PBS-1 | | | |
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| PBS-2 | | | |
Consolidated 28-1 ...| PBY-1 | Catalina ... ...| | |
Consolidated 28-2 ...| PBY-2 | Catalina ... ...| | |
Consolidated 28-3 ...| PBY-3 | Catalina ... ...| | |
Consolidated 28-4 ...| PBY-4 | Catalina ... ...| | Catalina |
Consolidated 28-5 ...| PBY-5 | Catalina ... ...| | Catalina III |
Consolidated 28-5A ...| PBY-5a | | OA-10 | Cansos | Amphibian Catalina
Consolidated 29 ...| XPB2Y-1 | | | | Prototype
Consolidated 29-2 ...| PB2Y-2 | Coronado ...| | Coronado |
Consolidated 29-3 ...| PB2Y-3 | Coronado ...| | Coronado |
Lockheed ... ... ...| | Ventura ... ...| PV-1 | Ventura | Landplane
Northrop ... ... ...| | | N3PB | | Floatplane
Consolidated ... ...| | | PB4X-1 | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VR-TRANSPORTS (Multi-Engined)
Douglas Dolphin ... ...| RD-4 | | | | Amphibian boat
Douglas DC-2 ... ...| R2D-1 | | C-33 | |
Douglas DC-5 ... ...| R3D-1 | | | |
Douglas DC-5 ... ...| R3D-2 | | | | Para. Troop Trnr.
Douglas DC-3a ... ...| R4D-1 | Dakota II ... ...| C-53 | Dakota | Troop transport
Douglas DC-4a ... ...| R5D-1 | Skymaster ... | C-54 | |
Lockheed 10 Electra ...| R20-1 | | C-35 | |
Lockheed 10 Electra ...| R30-1 | | | |
Lockheed 14-41 ... ...| R40-1 | | | |
Lockheed 18 Lodestar ...| XR50-1 | | | |
Lockheed 18 Lodestar ...| R50-1 | | C-56 | |
Ford Trimotor ... ...| RR-1 | | | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VS-SCOUTS
Grumman ... ... ...| SF-1 | | | | Two-seat biplane
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| XS2U-1 | | | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VSB-SCOUT BOMBERS
Brewster 138 ... ...| SBA-1 | | | |
Brewster 340 ... ...| SB2A-1 | Buccaneer... ...| A-34 | Bermuda |
Curtiss 77 ... ... ...| SBC-3 | | | | Early Helldiver
Curtiss 77 ... ... ...| SBC-4 | | | Cleveland | Biplane
Curtiss ... ... ...| SB2C-1 | Helldiver ... ...| A-25 | Helldiver | Dive bomber
Douglas ... ... ...| SDB-1 | Dauntless ... ...| A-24 | | Developed BT-2
Douglas ... ... ...| SBD-2 | Dauntless ... ...| A-24 | | Dive bomber
Douglas ... ... ...| SBD-3 | Dauntless ... ...| A-24 | | Dive bomber
Naval Aircraft Factory ...| SBN-1 | | | | Based on SBA-1
Vought-Sikorsky ...... ...| SBU-1 | | | | Prototype SBU-2
Vought-Sikorsky V-142 ...| SBU-2 | | | | Corsair
Vought-Sikorsky V-156 ...| SB2U-1 | | | | Prototype SB2U-2
Vought-Sikorsky V-156 ...| SB2U-2 | | | Chesapeake |
Vought-Sikorsky V-156 ...| SB2U-3 | Vindicator ...| SB24 | Chesapeake | Also seaplane mod.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VSN-SCOUT TRAINERS
Curtiss CW-22B Falcon ...| SNC-1 | Falcon ... ...| | |
North American NA-16-3 | SNJ-1 | | BC-1a | Harvard I |
North American NA-16-4 | SNJ-2 | | BC-1a | |
North American ... ...| SNJ-3 | Texan ... ...| AT-6a | Harvard II |
Vultee Valiant 54 ... ...| SNV-1 | Valiant ... ...| BT-15 | | In production
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VSO-SCOUT OBSERVATION AEROPLANES
Curtiss ... ... ...| SOC-1 | Seagull ... ...| | |
Curtiss ... ... ...| SOC-2 | Seagull ... ...| | |
Curtiss ... ... ...| SOC-3 | Seagull ... ...| | |
Curtiss ... ... ...| SOC-4 | Seagull ... ...| | |
Curtiss ... ... ...| SOC-4 | Seagull ... .. | | |
Curtiss ... ... ...| XSO2C-1 | | | |
Curtiss ... ... ...| SO3C-1 | Seagull ... ...| | | Seamew
* U.S. Army version

Real Photographs Company wrote: AEROPLANES OF THE U.S. NAVY-Continued
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| U.S. | | U.S. | |
Maker's Name | Service | U.S. Service | Army | British Name | Remarks
and/or Number | Number | Name | Version | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VSO-SCOUT OBSERVATION AEROPLANES-Continued
Curtiss ... ... ...| SO3C-1 | Seagull ... ...| | Seamew | Land monoplane
Curtiss ... ... ...| SO3C-2 | Seagull ... ...| | Seamew |
Bellanca ... ... ...| XSOE-1 | | | | Based on SOC-2
Naval Aircraft Factory ...| SON-1 | | | | Floatplane
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| XSO2U-1 | Kingfisher ...| | Kingfisher | Landplane
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| XSO2U-1 | Kingfisher ...| | Kingfisher |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VG-TRANSPORTS (Single Motor)
Beechcraft D-17S ... ...| GB-1 | Traveler ... ...| YC-43 | | Biplane
Beechcraft 17 ... ...| GB-2 | | | | Personnel
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VTB-TORPEDO BOMBERS
Douglas ... ... ...| TBD-1 | Devastator ...| | | First torpedo mono.
Grumman ... ... ...| XTBF-1 | | | |
Grumman ... ... ...| TBF-1 | Avenger ...| | Tarpon I |
Great Lakes ... ...| XTBG-1 | | | | Mod. Corsair
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| XTBU-1 | | | |
Vultee 72 ... ... ...| TBV-1 | | A-35 | Vengeance | Two torpedoes
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VJ-UTILITY (General Purpose)
Beechcraft 17 ... ...| JB-1 | | | | Biplane
Grumman ... ... ...| XJF-1 | | | | Amphibian biplane
Grumman ... ... ...| JF-1 | | | | Amphibian biplane
Grumman ... ... ...| JF-2 | | | |
Grumman ... ... ...| JF-3 | | | |
Grumman ... ... ...| J2F-1 | | | | Amphibian biplane
Grumman ... ... ...| J2F-2 | | | |
Grumman ... ... ...| J2F-3 | | | |
Grumman ... ... ...| J2F-4 | | | | Amphibian biplane
Grumman ... ... ...| XJ3F-1 | | | |
Grumman G-44 Widgeon | J4F-1 | | | Gosling | Amphibian boat
Fairchild 45 ... ...| JK-1 | | | |
Fairchild 24 ... ...| J2K-1 | | | | Landplane
Fairchild 24 ... ...| J2K-2 | | | |
Lockheed 12A ... ...| JO-1 | | | |
Lockheed 12B ... ...| JO-2 | | C-40B | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VJR-UTILITY TRANSPORT
Beechcraft 18b ... ...| JRB-1 | | F-2 | | Observation
Beechcraft 18d ... ...| JRB-2 | Voyager ... ...| AT-7a | | Personnel transport
Grumman G-21A ... ...| JRF-1 | | OA-9 | Goose | Amphibian (Navy)
Grumman G-21A ... ...| JRF-1a | | | |
Grumman G-21A ... ...| JRF-2 | | OA-9 | Goose | Amphibian
Grumman G-21B ...| JRF-4 | | | Goose | Photographic
Grumman ... ... ...| JRF-5 | | | Goose |
Grumman ... ... ...| JRF-6b | | | Goose |
Piper ... ... ...| | | HE-1 | | Ambulance
Sikorsky VS-43 ... ...| JRS-1 | | OA-8 | | Amphibian
Sikorsky VS-44A ... ...| JR2S-1 | Excalibur ... ...| | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ZMC-EXPERIMENTAL METAL-CLAD AIRSHIP
Metal-clad ... ... ...| ZMC-2 | | | Capacity | 202,000 cu. ft.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VN-TRAINERS
North American NA-16-1 | NJ-1 | | BT-9 | | Fixed undercarriage
North American NA-57 ...| NJ-1 | | BT-9b | |
Naval Aircraft Factory ...| N3N-1 | | | |
Naval Aircraft Factory ...| N3N-2 | | | | Biplane
Naval Aircraft Factory ...| N3N-3 | | | | Floatplane
Naval Aircraft Factory ...| XN5N-1 | | | |
Spartan ... ... ...| NP-1 | | | | Biplane
Ryan ST-3 ... ... ...| NR-1 | Recruit ... ...| PT22 | | Monoplane
Ryan ST-3 ... ...| NR-2 | | | |
Stearman A73B-1 ...| NS-1 | Caydet ... ...| PT-13a | | Boeing-Stearman
Stearman A75N-1 ... ...| N2S-1 | Caydet ... ...| PT-17 | | Biplane
Stearman 75L-3 ... ...| N2S-2 | | PT-13b | | Biplane
Stearnan A75N-3 ... ...| N2S-3 | Crewmaker ...| | | Biplane
Timm PT-160K ... ...| N2T-1 | Tutor ... ...| | | Plastic construction
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VO-OBSERVATION AEROPLANES
Douglas ... ... ...| XO2D-1 | | | |
Viking ... ... ...| OO-1 | | | | Biplane boat
Pitcairn Pa-33 ... ...| XOP-2 | | YG-2 | | Gyroplane
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| O3U-3 | | | | Float amphibian
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| O3U-6 | | | | Float amphibian
Kellett ... ... ...| KD-1A | | | | Autogiro
Sikorsky VS300 ... ...| | | | | Helicopter

Real Photographs Company wrote: AEROPLANES OF THE U.S. NAVY-Continued
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| U.S. | | U.S. | |
Maker's Name | Service | U.S. Service | Army | British Name | Remarks
and/or Number | Number | Name | Version | |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VOS-OBSERVATION SCOUTS
Naval Aircraft Factory ...| XOSN-1 | | | |
Stearman ... ... ...| XOSS-1 | | | |
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| OS2U-1 | | | | Floatplane
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| OS2U-1 | | | | Landplane
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| OS2U-2 | | | |
Vought-Sikorsky ... ...| OS2U-3 | Kingfisher ... ...| | Kingfisher I |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VP-PATROL
Gen.Aviation (Fokker) F.15| PJ-1 | | | | Monoplane boat
Glenn Martin 120 ...| P3M-1 | | | | Monoplane boat
Consolidated ... ...| P2Y-2 | | | | Training chiefly
Consolidated ... ...| P2Y-3 | | | |
Consolidated ... ...| XP3Y-1 | | | |
Consolidated 31 ... ...| P4Y-1 | | | | To be produced
Lockheed-Vega V-146 ...| PV-1 | Ventura ... ...| | | In production

(Source: American Type Designations, Third, R.P. Publications 42/10 (Southport, Lancashire: Real Photographs Company, n.d.), 10-15.)

Thu Nov 28, 2024 11:12 pm

Army Aviation wrote: REDESIGNATION OF AIRCRAFT

We have a new AR which should be of DISADVANTAGES? Yes, there is one which
interest to all AA's. This new AR 700- the troops will have, but this will not be a
26, dated 18 Sept 1962, titled "Desig- problem with our modern Army. We are
nation, Redesignation, and Naming Mili- used to changes; therefore, with this
tary Aircraft," supercedes AR 705-42. system we will have to discipline our-
The AR also implements DOD Directive selves to learn and use our new aircraft
4506.6, dated 6 July 1962. designators. It's the same discipline you
had to use when your maintenance officer
HERE is what the AR does: it prescribes made Major, you didn't call him Captain
a standard designation system for all air- anymore, so use the same approach with
craft and applies to all services, Army, your Beaver, call it a U-6A.
Air Force, Navy, etc. It further reidenti-
fies all aircraft which are in the inventory. TYPICAL EXAMPLES
Hold it! Don't get panicky! This reidenti-
fication is not as bad as you might think; IF YOU'VE READ AR 700-26, you'll find
it has many advantages. Now all of the out the system works like this. Let's use
services will call an aircraft by a common the H-34C and the L-23D as examples:
designator.
C - Modified Mission symbol (in this
YOU KNOW that everyone always had a case, "Cargo").
problem in keeping these model indenti- H - Basic Mission and Type symbol
fications straight, but now there'll only (in this case, "Helicopter").
be one name for each type series and 34 - Design Number.
model. This system will also permit the C - Series symbol.
interchange of maintenance data and prob-
lem areas with our sister services with- R - Modified Mission symbol (in this
out the barrier of different designators. case, "Reconnaissance').
U - Basic Mission and Type symbol
------------------------------------------------------ (in this case, "Utility").
| This article was prepared to intro- | 8 - Design Number.
| duce AR 700-26, dated 18 Septem- | D - Series symbol.
| ber 1962. Use of the new designators |
| will be used for all purposes, except | THE ACTUAL ASSIGNMENT of the desig-
| where TWX AMC PM-AI10-1101 | nation will be made at time of purchase of
| 17 October 1962 delays implemen- | the aircraft, so in the field all you have
| tation of the AR until 15 January | to worry about is learning that designation.
| 1963 for FAA administrative pro- | To help you to learn the new designators
| cedures necessary to orient air | we have a chart to cross reference the
| traffic control centers. | old into the new. This system does not
------------------------------------------------------ preclude you from using the "Popular
Names" of aircraft, in fact it is encouraged.

Army Aviation wrote:WHAT ABOUT PUBLICATIONS? In com-
pliance with paragraph 4 of AR 700-26,
DA publications will not be changed to
implement this new system on a crash
basis, but will be changed at time of re-
visions for other causes. So sit tight with
your old pubs and utilize the cross ref-
erence tables in the AR.

OLD POPULAR NEW
DESIG. NAME DESIG.

HELICOPTERS

H-21B ............Shawnee............ CH-21B
H-21C ............Shawnee............ CH-21C
H-34A ............Choctaw............ CH-34A
H-34C ............Choctaw............ CH-34C
H-37A .............Mojave............. CH-37A
H-37B .............Mojave............. CH-37B
HC-1A ............Chinook............ CH-46C
HC-1B ............Chinook............ CH-47A
HO-4 ..........Not Assigned.......... OH-4A
HO-5 ..........Not Assigned.......... OH-5A
HO-6 ..........Not Assigned.......... OH-6A
H-13E ..............Sioux.............. OH-13E
H-13G ..............Sioux.............. OH-13G
H-13H ..............Sioux.............. OH-13H
H-13K ..............Sioux.............. OH-13K
H-23B ..............Raven............. OH-23B
H-23C ..............Raven............. OH-23C
H-23D ..............Raven............. OH-23D
H-23F ..............Raven............. OH-23F
YH-41 .........Not Assigned........ NH-41A
HU-1 ..............Iroquois.............. UH-1
HU-1A .............Iroquois............ UH-1A
HU-1B .............Iroquois............ UH-1B
HU-1D .............Iroquois............ UH-1D
H-19C ...........Chickasaw.......... UH-19C
H-19D ...........Chickasaw.......... UH-19D L-26B ..........Not Assigned.......... U-9B
L-26C ..........Not Assigned.......... U-9C
OBSERVATION RL-26D ........Not Assigned........ RU-9C

L-19A .............Bird Dog............. O-1A VTOL and STOL
TL-19D ...........Bird Dog........... TO-1D
L-19E .............Bird Dog............ O-1E AO-1A ............Mohawk............. OV-1C
AO-1B ............Mohawk............. OV-1B
UTILITY AO-1C ............Mohawk............. OV-1C
AC-1 ..............Caribou............. CV-2A
U-1A .................Otter................ U-1A AC-1A ............Caribou............. CV-2B
L-20A ..............Beaver.............. U-6A AC-2 ..............Caribou............. CV-7A
L-23D .............Seminole............. U-8D XV-3A ...........Not Assigned.......... None
RL-23D ...........Seminole........... RU-8D
L-23F .............Seminole............. U-8F

(Source: "Redesignation of Aircraft," Army Aviation, December 1962, 694-695.)

Wed Dec 04, 2024 12:53 am

Wichita Eagle wrote:Defense Department Will Change Designations of Military Aircraft

Within two to three weeks
Wichita airframe manufactur-
ers, McConnell Air Force Base,
vendors and suppliers of mili-
tary products will have to learn
a new list of military aircraft
designations.
In a far-reaching change di-
rected by Secretary of Defense
Robert S. McNamara, the De-
partment of Defense has issued
identical orders to the Army,
Navy and Air Force which will
bring about similar letter and
number designations for all
military aircraft. Army, Navy
fixed and rotary wing aircraft
will be most affected by the
change while most of the Air
Force designation will continue.
While immediate effect of the
change will not be great, even-
tual costs of the redesignation
will be somewhat staggering as
it will require rewriting or reg-
ulations, manuals, technical or-
ders and other publications.
The Defense Department said
complete revision of Army,
Navy and Air Force documents
will be delayed until it is nec-
essary to revise a publication,
drawing or other document for
some other reason. Essential
changes will be made on the
documents in pen and ink.
Immediate plans call for pro-
vision of new cover pages for
all technical publications and
manuals.
The change also will mean
that manufacturers such as
Beech Aircraft Corp., Cessna
Aircraft Co. and The Boeing
Co. - each providing military
aircraft - will have to become
familiar with the new designa-
tion system. All parts cata-
logues, technical and flight
manuals, drawings and other
documents associated with mil-
itary aircraft issued by all aer-
ospace military contractors
henceforth will cary the new
aircraft designations.
Local Changes
At least one or two aircraft
manufactured locally by the
three manufacturers will be af-
fected by the change of desig-
nation.
Included in the changes is a
slight modification in model
designation of the Boeing B47,
the Army version of Cessna's
helicopter plus complete change
of designation for the com-
pany's L19. For Beech the
change will affect designation
of the L23E and the L23F plus
some changes in designation for
the military version of the
Beechcraft Model 18.
As soon as military installa-
tions and aerospace contractors
receive Air Force Regulation
No. 66-11, Army Regulation No.
700-26 and Bureau of Weapons
Instruction 13100.7 the redesig-
nations are to be implemented.
In the list of manufacturers
and their redesignations one
company was added to the list
while two others exchanged
code symbols. Bell Aerosystems
Co. was added with the code
designation of BC while Pia-
secki Aircraft Corp. was made
PI and Piper Aircraft Corp.
will use PA.
Popular names will be as-
signed only to aircraft which
have gone into production or
have immediate prospects of
doing so. Names will be one
word and will fit characteristics
of the aircraft.
For instance, the name of
the O1E-new designation for
Cessna's L19E, probably will
be changed from "Bird Dog"
while the name of the B52H
probably will continue to be
the "Stratofortress."
Assignments Made
Administration of the regula-
tion has been assigned to the
Air Force Aeronautical Systems
Division at Wright-Patterson
AFB, Ohio. A single point of
contact for administration of
designation assignments within
each service has been estab-
lished.
The various Air Force com-
mands will receive instructions
from Wright-Patterson ASD,
the Navy redesignation contact
will be the Bureau of Weapons
and for the Army it will be the
Army Materiel Command.
McConnell AFB is expected
to receive redesignation instruc-
tions through Strategic Air
Command channels and local
contractors and suppliers will
receive instructions through
ASD plant representatives at
Boeing, Beech and Cessna.
Coding Explained
First letter in the prefix
symbol would indicate if the
aircraft was used for experi-
mental, service test or some
other special purpose. Letters
designated for this include: G-
permanently grounded; J -
special test, temporary; N -
special test, permanent; X-ex-
perimental; Y-prototype; Z-
planning.
Next letter in the designation
could be a modified mission
symbol and would indicate the
capability of the aircraft after
it had been modified. They are:
A-attack; C-cargo transport;
D-director; E-special elec-
tronic installation; H-search
and resuce; K-tanker; L-cold
weather; M-missile carrier;
Q-drone; R-reconnaissance;
S-anti-submarine; T-trainer;
U-utility; V-staff; and W-
weather.
Last letter in the prefix
symbol will indicate the primary
capability of the craft. In the
case of helicopters, vertical and
short take-off and landing
(V&STOL) craft a second let-
ter will be used to indicate
type. Basic mission symbol let-
ter will include: A-attack; B-
bomber; C-cargo transport;
E-special electronic installa-
tion; F-fighter; H-helicopter;
K - tanker; O - observation;
P-patrol; S-anti-submarine;
T-trainer; U-utility; V-VT-
ol or STOL; X-research;
Z-airship
Previous designations, new
aircraft designations and serv-
ices using each of the aircraft
include:

Aircraft Designations
BOMBER SERIES
Former Current Service
VB-26B VB-26B AF
B-26B B-26B AF
TB-26B TB-26B AF
B-26C B-26C AF
GB-26C B-26C AF
RB-26C RB-26C AF
TB-26C TB-26C AF
JD-1 UB-26J USN
JD-1D DB-26J USN
TB-29A TB-29A AF
B-45C B-45C AF
RB-45C RB-45C AF
B-47B B-47B AF
DB-47B DB-47B AF
TB-47B TB-47B AF
WB-47B WB-47B AF
B-47E B-47E AF
E-47E EB-47E AF
RB-47E RB-47E AF
R-47E RB-47E AF
ER-47H EB-47H AF
RB-47H RB-47H AF
R-47H RB-47H AF
RB-47K RB-47K AF
R-47K RB-47K AF
TB-50D TB-50D AF
WB-50D WB-50D AF
RB-50F RB-50F AF
KB-50J KB-50J AF
KB-50K KB-50K AF
B-52A B-52A AF
B-52B B-52B AF
B-52C B-52C AF
B-52D B-52D AF
B-52E B-52E AF
B-52F B-52F AF
B-52G B-52G AF
B-52H B-52H AF
B-57A B-57A AF
RB-57A RB-57A AF
B-57B B-57B AF
RB-57B RB-57B AF
B-57C B-57C AF
TB-57C TB-57C AF
RB-57D RB-57D AF
B-57E B-57E AF
RB-57E RB-57E AF
TB-57E TB-57E AF
B-58A B-58A AF
YRB-58A YRB-58A AF
TB-58A TB-58A AF
RB-66A RB-66A AF
RB-66B RB-66B AF
RB-66C RB-66C AF
B-66D B-66D AF
WB-66D WB-66D AF
B-66E B-66E AF
XB-70 XB-70A AF
(Future New Bomber Aircraft will be
designated starting at Design No. 1A.)
HELICOTPER SERIES
Former Current Service
HU-1 UH-1 USA
UH-1A UH-1A USA
HU-1B UH-1B USA
HU-1D UH-1D USA
HU-1E UH-1E USA
HU2K-1 UH-2A USN
HU2K-1U UH-2B USN
Y/HSS-2 YSH-3A USN
HSS-2 SH-3A USN
HSS-2Z VH-3A USN
HO-4 OH-4A USA
HO-5 OH-5A USA
HO-6 OH-6A USA
H-13E OH-13E USA
H-13G OH-13G USA
H-13H OH-13H USA
H-13H UH-13H AF
H-13J UH-13J AF
H-13K OH-13K USA
HTL-4 TH-13L USN
HTL-6 TH-13M USN
HTL-7 TH-13N USN
HUL-1 UH-13P USN
HUL-1G HH-13Q USN
HUL-1M UH-13R USN
H-19B UH-19B AF
SH-19B HH-19B AF
H-19C UH-19C USA
H-19D UH-19D USA
HRS-3 CH-19E USN
HO4S-3 UH-19F USN
HO4S-3G HH-19G USN
H-21A CH-21A AF
H-21B CH-21B AF
H-21B CH-21B USA
SH-21B HH-21E AF
H-21C CH-21C USA
H-23B OH-23B USA
H-23C OH-12C USA
H-23D OH-23D USA
H-23F OH-23F USA
HUP-2 UH-25B USN
HUP-3 UH-25C USN
XH-33A XH-33A AF
H-34A CH-34A USA
H-34C CH-34C USA
HYS-1L LH-34D USN
Y/HSS-1 YSH-34G USN
HUS-1 UH-34D USN
HUS-1Z VH-34D USN
HUS-1A UH-34E USN
HUS-1G HH-34F USN
HSS-1F SH-34H USN
Y/HSS-1N YS-34J USN
HSS-1N SH-34J USN
H-37A CH-37A USA
H-37B CH-37B USA
HR2S-1 CH-37C USN
XH-40A XH-40A AF
YH-41 NH-41A USA
H-41 UH-41A AF
H-43A HH-43A AF
H-43B HH-43B AF
HUK-1 UH-43C USN
HOK-1 OH-43D USN
HRB-1 CH-46A USN
HX/H-2 XCH-46B AF
HC-1A CH-46C USA
HC-1B CH-47A USA
HX/H-1 XH-48A AF
DSN-1 QH-50A USN
DSN-2 QH-50B USN
DSN-3 QH-50C USN
NEW XH-51A USN
(Future New Helicopter will be de-
signated starting at Design No.-52A.)
RESEARCH SERIES
Former Current Service
X-13 X-13A AF
X-15 X-15A AF
X-20 X-20A AF
X-21 X-21A AF
(Next Design No. is -22A.)
AIRSHIP SERIES
Former Current Service
ZPG-2W EZ-1B USN
ZPG-2 SZ-1B USN
ZPG-3W EZ-1C USN
(Next Design No. is -2A.)
TRAINER SERIES
Former Current Service
T2V-1 T-1A USN
Y/T2J-1 YT-2A USN
T2J-1 T-2B USN
T2J-2 T-2B USN
T-28A T-28A USN
T-28A T-28A AF
T-28B T-28B USN
T-28B T-28B AF
T-28BD DT-28B USN
T-28C T-28C USN
T-29A T-29A AF
VT-29A VT-29A AF
T-29B T-29B AF
VT-29B VT-29B AF
T-29C T-29C AF
VT-29C VT-29C AF
T-29D T-29D AF
VT-29D VT-29D AF
AT-29D ET-29D AF
T-33A T-33A AF
DT-33A DT-33A AF
RT-33A RT-33A AF
WT-33A WT-33A AF
TV-2 T-33B USN
TV-2D DT-33B USN
TV-2KD DT-33C USN
T-34B T-34B USN
Y/T-34B YT-34B USN
T-34A T-34A AF
T-37A T-37A AF
T-37B T-37B AF
T-38A T-38A AF
YT-38A YT-38A AF
T-39A T-39A AF
T-39B T-39B AF
T3J-1 T-39D AF
T-40A T-40A AF
(Next New Trainer design will start
at No.-41A.)
UTILITY SERIES
Former Current Service
U-1A U-1A USA
UC-1 U-1B USN
U-2A U-2A AF
U-3A U-3A AF
U-3B U-3B AF
U-4A U-4A AF
U-4B U-4B AF
L-20A U-6A AF
L-20A U-6A USN
L-20A U-6A USA
L-21 U-7A AF
L-23D U-8D USA
RL-23D RU-8D USA
L-23E U-8E USA
L-23F U-8F USA
L-26B U-9B USA
L-26C U-9C USA
RL-26D RU-9D USA
L-28A U-10A AF
UO-1 U-11A USN
SA-16A HU-16A AF
SA-16B HU-16B AF
UF-1 HU-16C USN
UF-1L LU-16C USA
UF-1T TU-16C USN
UF-2 HU-16D USN
UF-2G HU-16E USN
(Utility series will continue with
Design No.17A.)
VTOL & STOL SERIES
Former Current Service
AO-1A OV-1A USA
AO-1B OV-1B USA
AO-1C OV-1C USA
AC-1 CV-2A USA
AC-1A CV-2B USA
NONE XV-3A USA
VZ-10 XV-4A USA
VZ-11 XV-5A USA
VZ-12 XV-6A USA
AC-2 CV-7A USA
(The next -V- Design No. will begin
at 8A.)
OBSERVATION SERIES
Former Current Service
L-19A O-1A USA
OE-1 O-1B USN
OE-2 O-1C USN
TL-19D TO-1D USA
L-19E O-1E USA
(Future New Observation Aircraft
will be designated starting at Design
No.-2A.)
CARGO/TRANSPORT SERIES
Former Current Service
C-45G C-45G AF
C-45H C-45H AF
RC-45H RC-45H AF
TC-45H TC-45H AF
SNB-5P RC-45J USN
SNB-5 TC-45J USN
C-46A C-46A AF
C-46D C-46D AF
TC-46D TC-46D AF
C-47A C-47A AF
R4D-5 C-47H USN
R4D-5Q EC-47H USN
SC-47A HC-47A AF
R4D-5L LC-47H USN
RC-47A DC-47A AF
R4D-5S SC-47H USN
R4D-5R TC-47H USN
VC-47A VC-47A AF
R4D-5Z VC-47H USN
R4D-6 C-47J USN
R4D-6Q EC-47J USN
R4D-6L LC-47J USN
R4D-6S SC-47J USN
R4D-6R TC-47J USN
R4D-6Z VC-47J USN
VC-47B VC-47B AF
C-47D C-47D AF
AC-47D EC-47D AF
SC-47D HC-47D AF
RC-47D RC-47D AF
TC-47D TC-47D AF
VC-47D VC-47D AF
C-47E C-47E AF
R4D-7 TC-47K USN
C-54A C-54A AF
R5D-1Z VC-54N USN
R5D-2 C-54P USN
R5D-2Z VC-54P USN
C-54D C-54D AF
R5D-3 C-54Q USN
AC-54D EC-54D AF
SC-54D HC-54D AF
TC-54D TC-54D AF
VC-54D VC-54D AF
R5D-3Z VC-54Q AF
R5D-3 RC-54V USN
C-54E C-54E AF
R5D-4R C-54R USN
R5D-4 EC-54U USN
C-54G C-54G AF
R5D-5 C-54S USN
VC-54G VC-54G AF
R4D-5Z VC-54S USN
C-54M C-54M AD
R5D-5R C-54T USN
C-97A C-97A AF
C-97C C-97C AF
C-97D C-97D AF
VC-97D VC-97D AF
KC-97F KC-97F AF
KC-97G KC-97G AF
C-97J C-97J AF
C-117A C-117A AF
R4D-8 C-117D USN
R4D-8L LC-117D USN
VC-117A VC-117A AF
R4D-8Z VC-117D USN
C-117B C-117B AF
VC-117B VC-117B AF
C-117C C-117C AF
C-118A C-118A AF
R6D-1 C-118B USN
VC-118A VC-118A AF
MC-119 C-119J AF
C-119C C-119C AF
R4Q-2 C-119F USN
C-119G C-119G AF
C-119J C-119J AF
C-121A C-121A AF
C-121C C-121C AF
R7V-1 C-121J AF
TC-121C TC-121C AF
WV-2 EC-121K USN
Y/YV-2 YEC-121K USN
RC-121D RC-121D AF
WV-3 WC-121N USN
RC-121E RC-121E AF
VC-121E VC-121E AF
C-121G C-121G AF
EC-121H EC-121H AF
WV-2E EC-121L USN
WV-2Q EC-121M USN
C-123B C-123B AF
C-123H C-123H AF
C-124A C-124A AF
R4D-8T TC-117D USN
C-124C C-124C AF
C-130A C-130A AF
GC-130A C-130A AF
RC-130A RC-130A AF
C-130B C-130B AF
GV-1U C-130D AF
SC-130B HC-130B AF
SC-130B HC-130G USN
GV-1 KC-130F USN
C-130BL LC-130F USN
C-130D C-130F AF
C-130E C-130E AF
SC-130E HC-130E AF
C-131A C-131A AF
VC-131A VC-131A AF
C-131B C-131B AF
C-131D C-131D AF
R4Y-1 C-131F USN
C-131E C-131E AF
R4Y-2 C-131G USN
C-133A C-133A AF
C-133B C-133B AF
RC-135A RC-135A AF
C-135A C-135A AF
KC-135A KC-135A AF
C-135B C-135B AF
VC-137A VC-137A AF
VC-137C VC-137C AF
C-140A C-140A AF
C-140B C-140B AF
VC-140B VC-140B AF
UV-1 C-140C USN
C-141A C-141A AF
XC-142A XC-142A AF
(Because of the size of design
numbers for Cargo Aircraft, this series
will start over at -1A. Following are
new assignments made under new
series of numbers:)
TF-1 C-1A USN
TF-1Q EC-1A USN
NEW C-2A USN
(Future New Cargo/Transport Air-
craft will be designated starting at
Design No. 3A.)
FIGHTER SERIES
Former Current Service
F-80C F-80C AF
F-84F F-84F AF
RF-84F RF-84F AF
F-84G F-84G AF
F-86D F-86D AF
F-86F F-86F AF
F-86H F-86H AF
F-86L F-86L AF
F-89D F-89D AF
F-89H F-89H AF
F-89J F-89J AF
F-100A F-100A AF
F-100C F-100C AF
DF-100C DF-100C AF
F-100D F-100D AF
F-100F F-100F AF
DF-100F DF-100F AF
F-101A F-101A AF
YRF-101A YRF-101A AF
RF-101A RF-101A AF
F-101B F-101B AF
TF-101B TF-101B AF
F-101C F-101C AF
RF-101C RF-101C AF
F-101F F-101F AF
TF-101F TF-101F AF
F-102A F-102A AF
TF-102A TF-102A AF
YF-102C YF-102C AF
F-104A F-104A AF
CF-104A CF-104A AF
F-104B F-104B AF
F-104C F-104C AF
F-104D F-104D AF
F-104G F-104G AF
RF-104G RF-104G AF
TF-104G TF-104G AF
F-104J F-104J AF
TF-104J TF-104J AF
F-105B F-105B AF
F-105D F-105D AF
F-106A F-106A AF
F-106B F-106B AF
YF-106C YF-106C AF
TFX F-111A AF
TFX F-111B USN
Because of the size of the design
numbers for fighter aircraft this series
will start over at -1A. Following are
new assignments made under new se-
ries of numbers:
Former Current Service
FJ-3 F-1C USN
FJ-3D DF-1C USN
FJ-3M MF-1C USN
FJ3D2 DF-1D USN
Y/FJ-4 YF-1E USN
FJ-4 F-1E USN
YFJ-4B YAF-1E USN
FJ-4B AF-1E USN
F2H-3 F-2C USN
F2H-4 F-2D USN
Y/F3H-2 YF-3B USN
F3H-2 F-3B USN
F3H-2M MF-3B USN
F3H-2N F-3C USN
F4H-1F F-4A USN
F4H-1 F-4B USN
F4H-1P RF-1B USN
F-110A F-4C AF
RF-110A RF-4C AF
N-156 F-5A AF
N-156 F-5B AF
Y/F4D-1 YF-6A USN
F4D-1 F-6A USN
Y/F2Y-1 YF-7A USN
Y/F8U-1 YF-8A USN
F8U-1 F-8A USN
F8U-1D DF-8A USN
F8U-1KD QF-1A USN
Y/F8U-1P YRF-8A USN
F8U-1P RF-8A USN
F8U-1T TF-8A USN
F8U-1E F-8B USN
Y/F8U-2 YF-8C USN
F8U-2 F-8C USN
Y/F8U-2N YF-8D USN
F8U-2N F-8D USN
Y/F8U-2NE YF-8E USN
F8U-2NE F-8E USN
F9F-5KD DF-9E USN
F9F-6 F-9F USN
F9F-6D DF-9F USN
F9F-6K QF-9F USN
F9F-6K2 QF-9G USN
F9F-7 F-9H USN
F9F-8 F-9J USN
Y/F9F-8B YAF-9J USN
F9F-8B AF-9J USN
Y/F9F-8T YTF-9J USN
F9F-8T TF-9J USN
F9F-8P RF-9J USN
F3D-1 F-10A USN
F3D-2 F-10B USN
F3D-2Q EF-10B USN
F3D-2M MF-10B USN
F3D-2T2 TF-10B USN
Y/F11F-1 YF-11A USN
F-11F-1 F-11A USN
Former Current Service
WF-2 E-1B USN
W2F-1 E-2A USN
Future New Fighter Aircraft will be
designated starting at Design No. -12A.
SPECIAL ELECTRONIC INSTALLATION
SERIES
Future New Special Electronic Instal-
lation Aircraft will be designated start-
ing at Design No. -3A.

(Source: "Defense Department Will Change Designations of Military Aircraft," Wichita Eagle, 1 October 1962, 1B.)

Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:26 am

So, I was doing some thinking recently about the term "approved names" and why it was used. As noted in an edit to a previous post, a newspaper article dating to the implementation of names notes that "(i)n carrying out this plane-naming plan, the manufacturers' suggested names were given first consideration and, unless there was good reason, these suggestions were approved." But what were these exceptions? Why did they need to be approved? Presumably there were some that didn't make the cut. As covered in a previous post, there's a proposed list of names that weren't adopted. However, these came from a commander in the military itself - which is not the scenario described above. So then what were they? Although it is hard to say for certain, there are a few hints buried in the historical record that seem to offer evidence of these rejected names.

The most famous case is the P-51 "Apache". Other than noting its brief existence, there's not much to say here that hasn't been done to death already.

A few early works call the B-26 as the Martin "Martian", but these quickly disappear. (For example, no less than the 27 October 1942 edition of Victory, the "official weekly bulletin of the Office of War Information", refers to it as such. The article is then picked up by the 13 November 1942 edition of The Aeroplane magazine and is repeated on page 21 of the booklet War Planes of the World.) If the theory holds, it was swatted down by the Joint Aircraft Committee. What's interesting about this name is that it came back around when Martin built the massive JRM flying boats. So someone on the committee apparently warmed up to the idea.

Citing Bowers, Baugher notes on his P-38D page that "[f]or a brief period, the USAAF considered naming the P-38 'Atlanta'". This would be in line with the British tendency to name aircraft after cities and would have ironically resulted in it bearing the name of the location that the merged Lockheed Martin would operate starting in 1951. However, Bowers does not technically explicitly state that the USAAF considered the name, stating in a parenthetical phrase on page 291 of United States Military Aircraft Since 1909 that "Atlanta having been considered for a brief interim period". It's possible that this name was proposed by Lockheed, although it seems unlikely given their predilection for astronomical monikers.

Lastly, there is the F7F, which is noted that it was originally suggested to have been named the "Tomcat", but was rejected for being too risqué. (Personally, I've never understood why, but as one comment on a Facebook post by the U.S. Naval Institute relates: "My mom used the phrase, 'Out tomcattin' around' for someone who was promiscuous or philandering. She was born in '25." Further evidence of its prominence at the time and slang meaning comes from the fact that a Fletcher-class destroyer, the USS Colahan, used the term as a nickname as well. A book on the ship explains on page 205 that it acquired the name from the Tomcat Destroyer Squadron which was "'called that because it was prowling around at all hours, fifty or more miles from the main force, with a CAP flying cover.'") According to Grumman test pilot Corky Meyer:

Corky Meyer wrote:Early in the XF7F-1 flight-test program, the flight-test group informally dubbed it "Tomcat." The name seemed to fit a night fighter, so Grumman proffered it to the BuAer fighter desk in Washington D.C. and was surprised when the name was denied. The Navy letter stated, "The name 'Tomcat' is unacceptable. It denotes feline promiscuity." Period; end of message. It did accept the second name "Tigercat," as not being as socially and politically unacceptable.

(Source: WW2Aircraft.net)

The anecdote notes that this occurred "[e]arly in the XF7F-1 flight-test program" and given that the aircraft first flew on 2 November 1943, this would place it around only a year after names for aircraft were first announced, so it seems that "Tomcat" could have been another casualty of the board.

In conclusion, I don't know whether all of the above are examples of the Sub-Committee on Naming of Aircraft of the Joint Aircraft Committee in action, but they do paint a picture of why the names assigned to aircraft were referred to as "approved names" at the time.

Wed Feb 05, 2025 11:26 pm

You have to love the Wichita Eagle article about something so esoteric getting that many inches in print.
Shows the importance of the aircraft industry in town...major plants like Boeing, Cessna and Beech...plus subcontractors (which included both Beech and I believe, Cessna).
Fun fact: Beech built the fuselage for early Bell 206s for Bell...who was busy building Hueys and OH-13Ss and TH-13Ts..I don't know if they made the OH-58 fuselage.

The article says nicknames would be one word...and guessed the locally produced "Bird Dog" would get a new name. Spoiler Alert...Didn't happen.

The list has some errors or things that didn't happen...like The USAF F-4s being the F-110.
Also there are several "I didn't know that" things in the list. Note some Stratojets are called R-47s.
For a short period, RB-47s were tedesignated R-47s.
As I recall, it was to make them look less hostile while doing their dangerous recon work. With the new designation, the White House/State Department/Pentagon could downplay a foreign government being upset about such aircraft in their territory...as they were not "combat" aircraft. Russia wasn't fooled; it shot down at least two and severely damaged a third which made it to Japan for an emergency landing.

Thu Feb 06, 2025 9:36 am

JohnB wrote:As I recall, it was to make them look less hostile while doing their dangerous recon work. With the new designation, the White House/State Department/Pentagon could downplay a foreign government being upset about such aircraft in their territory...as they were not "combat" aircraft.

You know, that makes a certain amount of sense. Recall that the Soviets were reportedly concerned about the C-74 during the Berlin Airlift because they thought its ventral cargo loading hatch could function as a bomb bay.[1]

Fri Feb 07, 2025 11:43 am

A little side note on the Hueys. Bell Helicopter embossed the left pedal with "BELL" and the right pedal with "HUEY". They continued this on their civilian versions of the Hueys, the 205 and the 212.

Fri Feb 07, 2025 10:24 pm

lucky52 wrote:A little side note on the Hueys. Bell Helicopter embossed the left pedal with "BELL" and the right pedal with "HUEY". They continued this on their civilian versions of the Hueys, the 205 and the 212.

It would be interesting to know when that started...late " B"s, "D"s?
I recall seeing that on fairly new UH-1Ns a very long time ago.
It's a rare example of a manufacturer really accepting a unofficial nickname...casting it in metal (the aeronautical equivalent of casting something in stone?).

Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:36 pm

My guess would be the "B" models. I did fly "A" models at Ft. Rucker in Nov. 69 when we transitioned to Hueys, but I sure don't remember what the pedals had on them. I'll call the Ft. Rucker museum Monday just for grins and see if they will take a look for me.

Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

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Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames

Re: Military Aircraft Lists & Nicknames