"Aircraft Nomenclature" Topic
11 Posts
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| e4warde | 19 Jul 2009 11:37 a.m. PST |
I know that for modern U.S. aircraft F = fighter, A = attack, B = bomber, etc… In WWII, what did "P" stand for? Patrol? |
| miscmini | 19 Jul 2009 11:41 a.m. PST |
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| Sundance | 19 Jul 2009 12:27 p.m. PST |
After WWII, all "P" aircraft were renumbered with "F" designators. (P-51, for example, became F-51.) |
| e4warde | 19 Jul 2009 12:36 p.m. PST |
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| CharlesRollinsWare | 19 Jul 2009 12:52 p.m. PST |
The comments above relate to the USAAF though in WWII there was no F for fighter P – Pursuit
A – Attack
B – Bomber
C – Cargo
O – Observation
L – Liaison
PT – Primary Trainer
BT – Basic Trainer
AT – Advanced Trainer The USN/USMC used an entirely different system B – Bomber
F – Fighter
G – single-engine transport
H – Hospital [changed to A (Ambulance) in 1943]
J – Utility
JR – Utility Transport
L – Glider
N – Trainer
O – Observation
OS – Observation Scout (primary role observation)
P – Patrol
PB – Patrol Bomber
R – Transport
S – Scout
SB – Scout Domber
SN – Scout Trainer
SO – Scout Observation (primary role scout)
TB – Torpedo Bomber Not that many of these would be needed in a game. Mark |
| Wyatt the Odd | 19 Jul 2009 1:33 p.m. PST |
Mark's list is pretty comprehensive and he missed only two: F was for "Photo" as in the F-5 Lightning which was the photo recon version of the P-38 Lightning CG-Cargo Glider The USN's designation was a little more complex: It was a code to describe the aircraft's role, the sequence from the manufacturer and the manufacturer. F4F – Fighter, 4th Model, Grumman
F4U- Fighter, 4th Model, Vought Then, there's the "R" series which stood for "Rotary Wing" aka helicopters with the R-1 seeing service at the end of the war. A full explanation of the USN codes is here:
link What looks to be a complete list of US aircraft of WW2 is here:
link Wyatt |
| Phil Gray | 19 Jul 2009 1:56 p.m. PST |
so the Y in PB Y indicates the manufacturer? |
| Ed Mohrmann | 19 Jul 2009 6:28 p.m. PST |
Wyatt, that linked-to list has a disclaimer stating that
the list is 'far from complete'. Indeed, the B-32 Dominator (Consolidated Vultee late WWII
heavy bomber) is not listed. The Dominator flew, IIRC,
two missions in minimal strength (12 aircraft ?) |
| Kaoschallenged | 19 Jul 2009 7:03 p.m. PST |
"so the Y in PB Y indicates the manufacturer?" Yes Phil. "Y" stood for Consolidated,Convair or Stinson. Below is a good article on the 1922 United States Navy aircraft designation system that was used till 1962. Robert
U. S. Naval Aircraft Designations 1939-1945
link
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| Matsuru Sami Kaze | 24 Jul 2009 5:27 p.m. PST |
A Pursuit-51 Mustang flew over my house two days ago. Unmistakable sound. Caught a look as he was moving away fast. |
| svsavory | 27 Jul 2009 4:01 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the links, guys. Interesting stuff! |
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