"WWII aircraft lettering/numbering types" Topic

Hi all

Anyone know of any good websites that lists the numbering lettering systems for WWII aircraft???

Looking for infor on British/German/Italian and USA (Fighters and Bombers)

The more info the better

Cheers
MH
:-)

Britain and the USA used letter codes for their aircraft, most of the time, at least in the European theater. Numbers would be used for USN aircraft.

The Germans tended to use numbers for their fighters, at least later in the war. For their bombers and twin-engined aircraft, many times they used letters for the Gruppen, Staffeln, and individual aircraft codes. Different colors were used for the above.

I'm not that familiar with Italian aircraft.

There are a number of decent books on the subject, but can't recall any websites right now. There are some, but just don't remember their names, or addresses.

Try a search on the nationality desired, and "markings" "WWII", or "WW2", and "aircraft", or the plane designation(s) you are looking for.

That should turn up something.

I hope that helps.

Best regards,

Rob

For Luftwaffe try here: users.hol.gr/~nowi

Click on markings at the top; it covers the standard fighter system very well.

RAF varied from time to time, but the usual was a three letter code; two together forward of the roundel denoting the squadron, and one aft of the roundel denoting the specific plane. (Eg. NF W on the left of the plane, W NF on the right.) Early on the squadron's letter code was frequently the squadron leader's initials, but this fell by the wayside as personnel changed and the air force got a lot bigger…. Fleet air arm frequently just had a single letter or number for the plane, and no squadron code.

Dom.

PS – As ever, best bet is to have a look at good old Wings Palette wp.scn.ru for what you like, and then try and figure out the squadron's system afterwards….

Thanks all

Thats a good start along with all the pictures I have in various books

MH