| Imperium et libertas | 06 Jul 2014 6:45 a.m. PST |
I noticed that the RN's new carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, has a hull number of 'R08'. I see that one of her predecessors, HMS Eagle, was 'R05'. I am used to the US style 'CV' for carriers, so – stupid question time – but in RN parlance, what does 'R' actually stand for? |
| Ed von HesseFedora | 06 Jul 2014 6:54 a.m. PST |
R means aircraft carrier link Cheers,
Ed |
| Imperium et libertas | 06 Jul 2014 7:02 a.m. PST |
Ed – thanks for that, but I had kinda worked out that much myself! The question is more: why use 'R' – is there any significance to that letter? For example, F (frigate) and D (destroyer) sort of make sense, so why 'R'? |
| Fatman | 06 Jul 2014 7:32 a.m. PST |
A & C were already used, auxiliaries and cruisers. Fatman |
| Bob the Temple Builder | 06 Jul 2014 7:37 a.m. PST |
The 'hull' number is actually the ship's pennant number. In the Royal Navy 'A' is used for Auxilliary ships and 'C' is used for Cruisers, therefore the obvious pennant letter was already being use. For this reason 'R' was chosen for Aircraft Carriers. |
| daubere | 06 Jul 2014 7:49 a.m. PST |
For the same reason that minelayers have 'N'. 'M' was used for minesweepers. :) If you want to be properly confused, have a read of this. link |
| zoneofcontrol | 06 Jul 2014 8:23 a.m. PST |
R = R-craft Carrier. Especially if taken over by pirates. |
| Jemima Fawr | 06 Jul 2014 10:27 a.m. PST |
It's just a case of working through the letters in the words 'Aircraft Carrier'. 'A' was already taken. 'I' is not used, as it looks like '1'. 'R' is therefore the next letter in the sequence. |
| John D Salt | 06 Jul 2014 12:14 p.m. PST |
Imperium et libertas wrote:
I am used to the US style 'CV' for carriers, so – stupid question time – but in RN parlance, what does 'R' actually stand for?
It seems to me that "R" stands for "Aircraft Carrier" at least as well as "CV" does. There isn't even a "V" in "Aircraft Carrier". All the best, John. |
| Dances with Clydesdales | 06 Jul 2014 12:20 p.m. PST |
V stands for heavier than air. CV = carrier, of heavier than air, aircraft. Heavier than air aircraft as opposed to lighter than air aircraft(ie.. blimps). Z = airship. ZR-1 was the USS Shenandoah. More info:
link |
| John D Salt | 06 Jul 2014 12:23 p.m. PST |
I don't believe the "C" in "CV" is for "carrier". All the best, John. |
| Dances with Clydesdales | 06 Jul 2014 12:34 p.m. PST |
C possibly stands for a type of cruiser. |
| Jemima Fawr | 06 Jul 2014 1:04 p.m. PST |
C – Cruiser
V – aViation (again, 'A' had already been used in the USN) Though John knew this… ;) |
gets roads for his Team Yankee set-up.
