List of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962)

This list of United States Air Force aircraft designations (1919–1962) includes prototype, pre-production and operational type designations under the 1919 and 1924 United States Army Air Service aircraft designation systems, which were used by the United States Air Force and its predecessors until the introduction of the unified United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system in 1962.

For aircraft designations after 1962, see List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations. For aircraft that did not receive formal designations—including those procured before 1919 when no designation system was in force, and later aircraft that did not receive designations for other reasons—see List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States.

Prior to 1919[edit]

Prior to 1919, all aircraft flown by the Army Air Service were referred to by the designation given to them by their manufacturer. During this period, a variety of both domestic and foreign types were operated, with the latter being the primary front-line types during World War I.

Army Air Service designations (1919–1924)[edit]

In September 1919, the Army Air Service decided that it needed an organized designation sequence, and adopted fifteen classifications, designated by Roman numerals. Several other unnumbered designations were added later. Each designation was assigned an abbreviation, and each design a number within that abbreviation. Variants were designated by alphabetically appending letters to the design number.

Type O: Foreign-Built Pursuit Aircraft[edit]

Fokker D.VII – Fokker
Fokker D.VIII – Fokker

Type I: Pursuit, water-cooled[edit]

PW-1 – Engineering Division
PW-2 – Loening
PW-3 – Orenco
PW-4 – Gallaudet
PW-5 – Fokker
PW-6 – Fokker
PW-7 – Fokker
PW-8 – Curtiss
PW-9 – Boeing

Type II: Pursuit, night[edit]

PN-1 – Curtiss

Type III: Pursuit, air-cooled[edit]

PA-1 – Loening

Type IV: Pursuit, ground attack, 1922[edit]

PG-1 – Aeromarine

Type V: Two-seat pursuit[edit]

TP-1 – Engineering Division

Type VI: Ground attack, 1920–1922[edit]

GA-1 – Boeing
GA-2 – Boeing

Type VII: Infantry liaison[edit]

IL-1 – Orenco

Type VIII: Night observation[edit]

NO-1 – Douglas (not built)
NO-2 – Douglas (not built)

Type IX: Artillery observation[edit]

AO-1 – Atlantic

Type X: Corps observation[edit]

CO-1 – Engineering Division
CO-2 – Engineering Division
CO-3 – Engineering Division
CO-4 – Atlantic
CO-5 – Engineering Division
CO-6 – Engineering Division
CO-7 – Boeing
CO-8 – Atlantic

Type XI: Day bombardment[edit]

DB-1 – Gallaudet

Type XII: Night bombardment, short range[edit]

Type XIII: Night bombardment, long range[edit]

NBL-1 – Witteman-Lewis
NBL-2 – Martin (not built)

Type XIV: Trainer, air-cooled[edit]

TA-1 – Elias
TA-2 – Huff-Daland
TA-3 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TA-4 – Engineering Division
TA-5 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TA-6 – Huff-Daland

Type XV: Trainer, water-cooled[edit]

TW-1 – Engineering Division
TW-2 – Cox-Klemin
TW-3 – Dayton-Wright Aircraft
TW-4 – Fokker
TW-5 – Huff-Daland

Ambulance, 1919–1924[edit]

A-1 – Cox-Klemin
A-2 – Fokker

Messenger[edit]

M-1 – Engineering Division/Sperry

Pursuit, special[edit]

PS-1 – Dayton-Wright

Racer[edit]

R-1 – Alfred V. Verville
R-2 – Thomas-Morse
R-3 – Verville-Sperry
R-4 – Loening
R-5 – Thomas-Morse
R-6 – Curtiss
R-7 – Engineering Division
R-8 – Curtiss

Seaplane[edit]

S-1 – Loening

Transport[edit]

T-1 – Martin
T-2 – Fokker
T-3 – Lowe-Willard-Fowler

Lighter-than-air craft[edit]

AC-1 — designed for "long flights and cross-country work", this was a 169 foot long, 180,000 cubic foot buoyancy craft which had one of its earliest long flights in May 1923.^[1]
RN-1 — designated "Zodiac", this was a semi-rigid dirigible, 262.5 feet long with a 360,000 cubic foot buoyancy volume.^[2]

Army Air Corps/Army Air Forces/Air Force designations (1924–1962)[edit]

Amphibian[edit]

OA: Observation Amphibian (1925–1948)[edit]

OA-1 – Loening
OA-2 – Loening
OA-3 Dolphin – Douglas (redesignated from C-21)
OA-4 Dolphin – Douglas (redesignated from C-26)
OA-5 – Douglas
OA-6 – Consolidated (not built)
OA-7 – Douglas
OA-8 – Sikorsky
OA-9 Goose – Grumman (redesignated A-9 in 1948)
OA-10 Catalina – Consolidated (redesignated A-10 in 1948)
OA-11 – Sikorsky
OA-12 Duck – Grumman (redesignated A-12 in 1948)
OA-13 Goose – Grumman
OA-14 Widgeon – Grumman
OA-15 Seabee – Republic
OA-16 Albatross – Grumman (redesignated A-16 in 1948)

A: Amphibian (1948–1962)[edit]

A-9 Goose – Grumman (redesignated from OA-9)
A-10 Catalina – Consolidated (redesignated from OA-10)
A-12 Duck – Grumman (redesignated from OA-12)
A-16 Albatross – Grumman (redesignated from OA-16)

Attack[edit]

A: Attack (1924–1948)[edit]

A-1 – skipped to avoid confusion with the Cox-Klemin XA-1
A-2 – Douglas
A-3 Falcon – Curtiss
A-4 Falcon – Curtiss
A-5 Falcon – Curtiss (not built)
A-6 Falcon – Curtiss (not built)
A-7 – Fokker-America
A-8 – Curtiss
A-9 – Lockheed
A-10 Shrike – Curtiss
A-11 – Consolidated
A-12 Shrike – Curtiss
A-13 – Northrop
A-14 – Curtiss
A-15 – Martin (not built)
A-16 – Northrop
A-17 Nomad – Northrop
A-18 Shrike – Curtiss
A-19 – Vultee
A-20 Havoc – Douglas (redesignated B-20 in 1948)
A-20 Havoc
A-21 – Stearman
A-22 – Martin
A-23 – Martin
A-24 Banshee – Douglas (Air Force variant of Navy SBD Dauntless, redesignated F-24 in 1948)
A-25 Shrike – Curtiss (Air Force variant of Navy SB2C Helldiver)
A-26 Invader – Douglas (redesignated B-26 in 1948)
A-27 – North American
A-28 Hudson – Lockheed
A-29 Hudson – Lockheed
A-30 – Martin (contract designation for Lend-Lease aircraft)
A-31 Vengeance – Vultee
A-32 – Brewster
A-33 – Douglas
A-34 – Brewster (Air Force variant of Navy SB2A Buccaneer, issued for Lend-lease)
A-35 Vengeance – Vultee
A-36 – North American (ground attack variant of the P-51 Mustang)
A-37 – Hughes (unofficial designation created for contract purposes)
A-38 Grizzly – Beechcraft
A-39 – Kaiser-Fleetwings (not built)
A-40 – Curtiss (Air Force variant of Navy BTC, not built)
A-41 – Vultee
A-42 Mixmaster – Douglas (ground attack variant of the B-42, not built)
A-43 Blackhawk – Curtiss-Wright (ground attack variant of the F-87, not built)
A-44 – Convair (redesignated B-53 in 1948, not built)
A-45 – Martin (redesignated B-51 in 1948)

Bomber[edit]

Until 1926, the Army Air Service had three sequences for bombers. Light bombers were indicated by the LB- prefix, medium bombers by the B- prefix, and heavy bombers by the HB- prefix. In 1926, the three-category system was scrapped and all bombers subsequently built were placed in the B- sequence.

LB: Light Bomber (1924–1926)[edit]

LB-1 – Huff-Daland (later Keystone)
LB-2 – Atlantic/Fokker
LB-3 – Keystone
LB-4 – Martin (not built)
LB-5 – Keystone
LB-6 – Keystone
LB-7 – Keystone
LB-8 – Keystone
LB-9 – Keystone
LB-10 – Keystone (redesignated B-3 in 1930)
LB-11 – Keystone
LB-12 – Keystone
LB-13 – Keystone (redesignated B-4 in 1930)
LB-14 – Keystone (redesignated B-5 in 1930)

B: Medium Bomber (1924–1926)[edit]

B-1 – Huff-Daland
B-2 Condor – Curtiss

HB: Heavy Bomber (1924–1926)[edit]

HB-1 – Huff-Daland
HB-2 – Atlantic/Fokker (not built)
HB-3 – Huff-Daland (not built)

B: Bomber (1926–1962)[edit]

B-1 – Huff-Daland/Keystone
B-2 Condor – Curtiss
B-3 – Keystone
B-4 – Keystone
B-5 – Keystone
B-6 – Keystone
B-7 – Douglas
B-8 – Fokker
B-9 – Boeing
B-10 – Martin
B-11 – Douglas
B-12 – Martin
B-13 – Martin (not built)
B-14 – Martin
B-15 – Boeing (redesignated from BLR-1)
B-16 – Martin (not built)
B-17 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-18 Bolo – Douglas
B-19 – Douglas (redesignated from BLR-2)
B-20 – Boeing (not built)
B-21 – North American
B-22 – Douglas (not built)
B-23 Dragon – Douglas
B-24 Liberator – Consolidated
B-24 Liberator
B-25 Mitchell – North American
B-26 Marauder – Martin
B-27 – Martin (not built)
B-28 Dragon – North American
B-29 Superfortress – Boeing
- B-29D Superfortress – Boeing (redesignated B-50 in 1945)
B-30 – Lockheed (not built)
B-31 – Douglas (not built)
B-32 Dominator – Consolidated
B-33 Super Marauder – Martin (not built)
B-34 Lexington – Lockheed
B-35 – Northrop
B-36 Peacemaker – Convair
- B-36G Peacemaker – Convair (redesignated B-60)
B-37 – Lockheed (redesignated from B-34B)
B-38 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-39 Superfortress – Boeing
B-40 Flying Fortress – Boeing
B-41 Liberator – Consolidated
B-42 Mixmaster – Douglas
B-43 Jetmaster – Douglas
B-44 Superfortress – Boeing
B-45 Tornado – North American
B-46 – Convair
B-47 Stratojet – Boeing
- B-47C Stratojet – Boeing (redesignated B-56, not built)
B-48 – Martin
B-49 – Northrop conversion of XB-35 to jet power
B-50 Superfortress – Boeing (redesignated from B-29D)
- B-50C Superfortress – Boeing (redesignated B-54, not built)
B-51 – Martin (redesignated from A-45)
B-52 Stratofortress – Boeing
JB-52E Stratofortress
B-53 – Convair (not built)
B-54 – Boeing (redesignated from B-50C)
B-55 – Boeing (not built)
B-56 – Boeing (redesignated from B-47C not built)
B-57 Canberra – Martin
- B-57D Canberra – Martin
- B-57F Canberra – Martin/General Dynamics
B-58 Hustler – Convair
B-59 – Boeing (not built)
B-60 – Convair (redesignated from B-36G)
B-61 Matador – Martin
B-62 Snark – Northrop
B-63 RASCAL – Bell
B-64 Navaho – North American
B-65 Atlas – Convair
B-66 Destroyer – Douglas
B-67 Crossbow – Radioplane
B-68 – Martin (not built)
B-68 Titan – Martin (conflicting designation, assigned after the original B-68 was canceled)
B-69 Neptune – Lockheed (Air Force variant of the Navy P2V)
B-70 Valkyrie – North American
B-71 Blackbird – Lockheed (not built)^[3]

Beginning with #69, the "M-" (missile) and "B-" (bomber) series diverged. The missiles designated M-69 to M-92, some of which are incorrectly labeled as "formerly designated B-xx" in some sources, never used a "B-" series designation. Beginning with #70, another sequence diverged, the "RS-" (Reconnaissance/Strike) series, which was later changed to the "SR-" (Strategic Reconnaissance) series of the Tri-Service system.

Non-sequential[edit]

Some bomber designations were assigned out of sequence.

B-20 Havoc – Douglas (redesignated from A-20 in 1948 after original B-20 was canceled)
B-26 Invader – Douglas (redesignated from A-26 in 1948 after original B-26 was retired)

BLR: Bomber, long range (1935–1936)[edit]

A short-lived designation used from 1935–1936 to refer to three long-range bomber projects commissioned by the Army Air Corps. Most of the bombers were night bombers.

BLR-1 – Boeing (redesignated to B-15)
BLR-2 – Douglas (redesignated to B-19)
BLR-3 – Sikorsky (not built)

Cargo[edit]

C: Cargo (1924–1962)[edit]

C-1 – Douglas
C-2 – Fokker
C-3 – Ford
C-4 – Ford
C-5 – Fokker
C-6 – Sikorsky
C-7 – Fokker
C-8 – Fairchild
C-9 – Ford
C-10 Robin – Curtiss-Wright
C-11 Fleetster – Consolidated
C-12 Vega – Lockheed
C-13 – skipped
C-14 – Fokker
C-15 – Fokker
C-16 – Fokker
C-17 Super Vega – Lockheed
C-18 Monomail – Boeing
C-19 Alpha – Northrop
C-20 – Fokker
C-21 Dolphin – Douglas (redesignated to OA-3)
C-22 Fleetster – Consolidated
C-23 Altair – Lockheed
C-24 – Fairchild
C-25 Altair – Lockheed
C-26 Dolphin – Douglas (redesignated to OA-3)
C-27 Airbus – Bellanca
C-28 – Sikorsky
Sikorsky C-28
C-29 Dolphin – Douglas
C-30 Condor – Curtiss-Wright
C-31 – Kreider-Reisner
C-32 – Douglas
C-33 – Douglas
C-34 – Douglas
C-35 – Lockheed
C-36 Electra – Lockheed
C-37 Electra – Lockheed
C-38 – Douglas
C-39 – Douglas
C-40 Electra – Lockheed
C-41 – Douglas
- C-41A – Douglas
C-42 – Douglas
C-43 Traveller – Beechcraft
C-44 – Messerschmitt
C-45 Expeditor – Beechcraft
C-46 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
C-47 Skytrain – Douglas
C-47 Skytrain
- C-47F Skytrain – Douglas (redesignated from C-129)
- AC-47 Spooky – Douglas
C-48 Skytrain – Douglas
C-49 Skytrain – Douglas
C-50 Skytrain – Douglas
C-51 Skytrain – Douglas
C-52 Skytrain – Douglas
C-53 Skytrooper – Douglas
C-54 Skymaster – Douglas
C-55 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
C-56 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-57 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-58 Bolo – Douglas
C-59 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-60 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-61 Forwarder – Fairchild
C-62 – Waco
C-63 Hudson – Lockheed
C-64 Norseman – Noorduyn
C-65 Skycar – Stout
C-66 Lodestar – Lockheed
C-67 Dragon – Douglas
C-68 – Douglas
C-69 Constellation – Lockheed
C-70 Nightingale – Howard
- C-70B Nightingale – Howard
C-71 Executive – Spartan
C-72 – Waco
C-73 – Boeing
C-74 Globemaster – Douglas
C-74 Globemaster
C-75 – Boeing
C-76 Caravan – Curtiss-Wright
C-77 – Cessna
- C-77B/C/D – Cessna
C-78 Bobcat – Cessna
C-79 – Junkers
C-80 – Harlow
C-81 Reliant – Stinson
C-82 Packet – Fairchild
C-83 Coupe – Piper
- C-83A – Piper (redesignated L-4C)
- C-83B – Piper
C-84 – Douglas
C-85 Orion – Lockheed
C-86 Forwarder – Fairchild
C-87 Liberator Express – Consolidated
C-88 – Fairchild
C-89 – Hamilton
C-90 – Luscombe
C-91 – Stinson
C-92 – Akron-Funk
C-93 Conestoga – Budd
C-94 – Cessna
C-95 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
C-96 – Fairchild
C-97 Stratofreighter – Boeing
C-97 Stratofreighter
- KC-97 Stratofreighter – Boeing
C-98 Clipper – Boeing
C-99 – Convair
C-100 Gamma – Northrop
C-101 Vega – Lockheed
C-102 Sportster – Rearwin
C-103 – Grumman
C-104 – Lockheed
C-105 – Boeing
C-106 Loadmaster – Cessna
C-107 Skycar – Stout
C-108 Flying Fortress – Boeing
C-109 Liberator Express – Consolidated
C-110 – Douglas
C-111 Super Electra – Lockheed
C-112 – Douglas
C-113 Commando – Curtiss-Wright
C-114 Skymaster – Douglas
C-115 Skymaster – Douglas (not built)
C-116 Skymaster – Douglas
C-117 Super Skytrain – Douglas
- C-117D Super Skytrain – Douglas (redesignated from Navy R4D-8 in 1962)
C-118 Liftmaster – Douglas
C-119 Flying Boxcar – Fairchild
- AC-119 – Fairchild
C-120 Packplane – Fairchild
C-121 Constellation – Lockheed
- C-121F Constellation – Lockheed
C-122 Avitruc – Chase
C-123 Provider – Fairchild
- C-123A – Chase
C-124 Globemaster II – Douglas
From left to right: C-141, C-130, and C-124 with Mount St. Helens in the background
C-125 Raider – Northrop
C-126 – Cessna
C-127 Beaver – de Havilland Canada (redesignated to L-20)
C-127 – Douglas (conflicting designation, assigned after original C-127 was redesignated)
C-128 Flying Boxcar – Fairchild (not built)
C-129 Super Skytrain – Douglas (redesignated to C-47F)
C-130 Hercules – Lockheed
- C-130J Super Hercules – Lockheed Martin
- AC-130 – Lockheed
- DC-130 Hercules – Lockheed
- EC-130 – Lockheed
  - EC-130H Compass Call – Lockheed
- HC-130 – Lockheed
- KC-130 Hercules – Lockheed
- LC-130 Hercules – Lockheed
- MC-130 – Lockheed
- RC-130 Hercules – Lockheed
- WC-130 Hercules – Lockheed
C-131 Samaritan – Convair
- NC-131H Samaritan – Convair
C-132 – Douglas (not built)
C-133 Cargomaster – Douglas
C-134 – Stroukoff
C-135 Stratolifter – Boeing
- KC-135 Stratotanker – Boeing
C-136 – Fairchild
C-137 Stratofreighter – Boeing (redesignated C-97J)
C-137 Otter – de Havilland Canada (conflicting designation, assigned after the original C-137 was redesignated) (redesignated U-1)
C-137 Stratoliner – Boeing (conflicting designation, assigned after the original C-137s were redesignated)
C-138 – reserved for Fokker F27, but never assigned
C-139 – reserved for Lockheed P2V Neptune, but never assigned
C-140 Jetstar – Lockheed
C-141 Starlifter – Lockheed
C-142 – Vought
C-143 – reserved for what would become the X-19, but never officially assigned and later reused in the Tri-Service system

This sequence was restarted at C-1 with the introduction of the Tri-Service system. However, the original sequence was picked up at C-143 starting in 2005, leading to the US military maintaining two separate sequences for cargo aircraft.

Drone[edit]

Aerial Target[edit]

GL: Target Glider (1922–1935)[edit]

GL-1 – McCook Field
GL-2 – McCook Field
GL-3 – McCook Field (incorrectly known as "G-3")

A: Aerial Target (1940–1941)[edit]

A-1 – Fleetwings
A-2 – Radioplane
A-3 – Curtiss
A-4 – Douglas
A-5 – Boeing (not built)
A-6 – Douglas (not built)
A-7 Airacobra – Bell
A-8 Cadet – Culver (redesignated PQ-8 in 1941)

PQ: Aerial Target, man carrying (1943–1948)[edit]

PQ-8 Cadet – Culver (redesignated from A-8, redesignated Q-8 in 1948)
PQ-9 Cadet – Culver
PQ-10 – Culver (not built)
PQ-11 – Fletcher (not built)
PQ-12 – Fleetwings
PQ-13 – ERCO
PQ-14 Cadet – Culver (redesignated Q-14)
PQ-15 – Culver

OQ: Aerial Target, model airplane (1942–1948)[edit]

OQ-1 – skipped
OQ-2 – Radioplane
OQ-3 – Radioplane
OQ-4 – Brunswick-Balke-Collender
OQ-5 – unknown contractor (not built)
OQ-6 – Radioplane
OQ-7 – Radioplane
OQ-8 – skipped
OQ-9 – skipped
OQ-10 – skipped
OQ-11 – Simmonds Aerocessories
OQ-12 – Radioplane
OQ-13 – Radioplane
OQ-14 – Radioplane
OQ-15 – USAAF
OQ-16 – Frankfort (not built)
OQ-17 – Radioplane
OQ-18 – unknown contractor
OQ-19 – Radioplane

BQ: Controllable Bomb (1942–1945)[edit]

BQ-1 – Fleetwings
BQ-2 – Kaiser-Fleetwings
BQ-3 – Fairchild
BQ-4 – Interstate
BQ-5 – Interstate (not built)
BQ-6 – Interstate (not built)
BQ-7 Flying Fortress – Boeing
BQ-8 Liberator – Consolidated^[4]

CQ: Target Control (1942–1948)[edit]

Q: Drone (1948–1962)[edit]

Q-1 – Radioplane
Q-2 Firebee – Ryan
Q-3 – Radioplane (not built)
Q-4 – Northrop
Q-5 Kingfisher – Lockheed
Q-6 – WADC
Q-7 – skipped, request for redesignation of QB-17 not approved
Q-8 Cadet – Culver (redesignated from PQ-8)
- Q-8 – request for redesignation of QF-80 not approved
Q-9 – WADC
Q-10 – Radioplane
Q-11 – WADC (not built)
Q-12 – Beechcraft
Q-13 – skipped
Q-14 Cadet – Culver (redesignated from PQ-14)

Experimental[edit]

S: Supersonic/Special Test (1946–1948)[edit]

The USAF established a separate sequence for purpose-built research aircraft in 1946. Originally designated with the "S" mission letter, the sequence switched to "X" in 1948.

S-1 – Bell (redesignated X-1 in 1948)
S-2 – Bell (redesignated X-2 in 1948)
S-3 Stiletto – Douglas (redesignated X-3 in 1948)
S-4 Bantam – Northrop (redesignated X-4 in 1948)
S-5 – Bell (redesignated X-5 in 1948)

X: Special Research/Experimental (1948–1962)[edit]

Below is a list of "X-planes" designated before 1962. For a list of X-planes designated after 1962, see List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations § X: Special research.

X-1 – Bell (redesignated from S-1)
X-2 – Bell (redesignated from S-2)
X-3 Stiletto – Douglas (redesignated from S-3)
X-4 Bantam – Northrop (redesignated from S-4)
X-5 – Bell (redesignated from S-5)
X-6 – Convair (not built)
X-7 – Lockheed
X-8 – Aerojet
X-9 Shrike – Bell
X-10 – North American
X-11 – Convair
X-12 – Convair
X-13 Vertijet – Ryan
X-14 – Bell
X-15 – North American
X-16 – Bell (not built)
X-17 – Lockheed
X-18 – Hiller
X-19 – Curtiss-Wright
X-20 Dyna-Soar – Boeing (not built)

Fighter[edit]

P: Pursuit (1924-1948)[edit]

Designated P- for "pursuit" until June 1948, nine months after the United States Air Force was founded. After this, all P- designations were changed to F- ("fighter"), but the original design numbers were retained.^[5]

P-1 Hawk – Curtiss
P-2 Hawk – Curtiss
P-3 Hawk – Curtiss
P-4 Hawk – Curtiss
P-4 – Boeing (conflicting designation)
P-5 Hawk – Curtiss
P-6 Hawk – Curtiss
P-7 – Boeing
P-8 – Boeing
P-9 – Boeing
P-10 – Curtiss
P-11 Hawk – Curtiss
P-12 – Boeing
P-13 Viper – Thomas-Morse
P-14 – Curtiss (not built)
P-15 – Boeing
P-16 – Berliner-Joyce (redesignated PB-1)
P-17 Hawk – Curtiss
P-18 – Curtiss (not built)
P-19 – Curtiss (not built)
P-20 – Curtiss
P-21 – Curtiss
P-22 Hawk – Curtiss
P-23 Hawk – Curtiss
P-24 – Lockheed
P-25 – Consolidated
P-26 Peashooter – Boeing
Boeing P-26
P-27 – Consolidated (not built)
P-28 – Consolidated (not built)
P-29 – Boeing
P-30 – Consolidated (redesignated PB-2)
P-31 Swift – Curtiss
P-32 – Boeing
P-33 – Consolidated (not built)
P-34 – Wedell-Williams (not built)
P-35 – Seversky
P-36 Hawk – Curtiss
P-37 – Curtiss
P-38 Lightning – Lockheed
P-39 Airacobra – Bell
- P-39E Airacobra – Bell
P-40 Warhawk – Curtiss
P-41 – Seversky
P-42 – Curtiss
P-43 Lancer – Republic
P-44 Rocket – Republic (not built)
P-45 – Bell (redesignated P-39C)
P-46 – Curtiss
P-47 Thunderbolt – Republic
P-48 – Douglas (not built)
P-49 – Lockheed
P-50 – Grumman
P-51 Mustang – North American
P-51H Mustang
P-52 – Bell (not built)
P-53 – Curtiss (not built)
P-54 Swoose Goose – Vultee
P-55 Ascender – Curtiss
P-56 Black Bullet – Northrop
P-57 Peashooter – Tucker (not built)
P-58 Chain Lightning – Lockheed
P-59 – Bell (not built)
P-59 Airacomet – Bell (conflicting designation, assigned after the original P-59 was canceled)
P-60 – Curtiss
P-61 Black Widow – Northrop
P-62 – Curtiss
P-63 Kingcobra – Bell
P-64 – North American
P-65 – Grumman (not built)
P-66 Vanguard – Vultee
P-67 Bat – McDonnell
P-68 Tornado – Vultee (not built)
P-69 – Republic (not built)
P-70 Nighthawk – Douglas
P-71 – Curtiss (not built)
P-72 – Republic
P-73 – Hughes (unofficial designation created for contract purposes)
P-74 – skipped
P-75 Eagle – Fisher
P-76 – Bell
P-77 – Bell
P-78 – North American (redesignated P-51B)
P-79 – Northrop
P-80 Shooting Star – Lockheed
P-81 – Convair
P-82 Twin Mustang – North American
P-83 – Bell
P-84 Thunderjet – Republic
P-85 Goblin – McDonnell
P-86 Sabre – North American
F-86F Sabre
P-87 Blackhawk – Curtiss
P-88 Voodoo – McDonnell
P-89 Scorpion – Northrop
P-90 – Lockheed
P-91 Thunderceptor – Republic
P-92 – Convair

Non-sequential[edit]

P-322 Lightning – Lockheed (designation of rejected Royal Air Force Lightning Mk Is in USAAF service)
P-400 Airacobra – Bell (designation of former RAF Airacobra Mk Is in USAAF service)

F: Fighter (1948–1962)[edit]

All fighters from F-38 to F-92 originally carried the pursuit designations from P-38 to P-92, unless otherwise noted.

F-38 Lightning – Lockheed
F-39 Airacobra – Bell
F-40 Warhawk – Curtiss
F-47 Thunderbolt – Republic
F-51 Mustang – North American
F-61 Black Widow – Northrop
- RF-61C Reporter – Northrop (redesignated from F-15)
F-63 Kingcobra – Bell
F-80 Shooting Star – Lockheed
F-81 – Convair
F-82 Twin Mustang – North American
F-83 – Bell
F-84 Thunderjet – Republic
- F-84F Thunderstreak – Republic (redesignated from F-96)
- F-84H Thunderscreech – Republic (redesignated from first F-106)
F-85 Goblin – McDonnell
F-86 Sabre – North American
- F-86C Sabre – North American (redesignated to F-93)
- F-86D/G/K/L Sabre – North American (redesignated from F-95)
F-87 Blackhawk – Curtiss
F-88 Voodoo – McDonnell
F-89 Scorpion – Northrop
F-90 – Lockheed
F-91 Thunderceptor – Republic
F-92 – Convair
F-93 – North American (redesignated from F-86C)
F-94 Starfire – Lockheed
F-95 – North American (redesignated to F-86D)
F-96 – Republic (redesignated to F-84F)
F-97 Starfire – Lockheed (redesignated from F-94C)
F-98 Falcon – Hughes
F-99 BOMARC – Boeing
F-100 Super Sabre – North American
- F-100B Super Sabre – North American (redesignated to F-107)
F-101 Voodoo – McDonnell
F-102 Delta Dagger – Convair
- F-102B Delta Dagger – Convair (redesignated to F-106)
F-103 – Republic
F-104 Starfighter – Lockheed
- XF-104 Starfighter – Lockheed
- NF-104A Starfighter – Lockheed
F-105 Thunderchief – Republic
F-106 Thunderscreech – Republic (redesignated to F-84H)
F-106 Delta Dart – Convair (conflicting designation, redesignated from F-102B after the original F-106 was redesignated to F-84H)
F-107 – North American (redesignated from F-100B)
F-108 Rapier – North American (not built)
F-109 – designation was reserved for the F-101B^[6] and Bell D-188A, but never officially assigned
F-110 Spectre – McDonnell Douglas (redesignated and renamed to F-4 Phantom II in 1962)
F-111 Aardvark – General Dynamics
- F-111B Aardvark – General Dynamics/Grumman
- F-111C - General Dynamics (export only)
- F-111K - General Dynamics (export only, not built)
- EF-111A Raven – General Dynamics/Grumman
- AFTI/F-111A Aardvark – General Dynamics/Boeing
  General Dynamics F-111

Unofficial designations YF-112 and up were later assigned to black projects.

Non-sequential[edit]

F-24 Banshee – Douglas (redesignated from A-24 in 1948)

FM: Fighter, Multiplace[edit]

FM-1 Airacuda – Bell
FM-2 – Lockheed (redesignated from PB-3, not built)

PB: Pursuit, Biplace[edit]

PB-1 – Berliner-Joyce (redesignated from P-16)
PB-2 – Consolidated (redesignated from P-30)
PB-3 – Lockheed (redesignated FM-2, not built)

Glider[edit]

AG: Assault Glider (1942–1944)[edit]

AG-1 – Christopher (not built)
AG-2 – Timm (not built)

BG: Bomb Glider (1942–1944)[edit]

BG-1 – Fletcher
BG-2 – Fletcher (not built)
BG-3 – Cornelius (not built)

CG: Cargo Glider (1941–1948)[edit]

CG-1 – Frankfort (not built)
CG-2 – Frankfort (not built)
CG-3 – Waco
CG-4 Hadrian – Waco
CG-5 – St. Louis
CG-6 – St. Louis (not built)
CG-7 – Bowlus
CG-8 – Bowlus
CG-9 – AGA Aviation
CG-10 Trojan Horse – Laister-Kauffman
CG-11 – Snead (not built)
CG-12 – Read-York
CG-13 – Waco
CG-14 – Chase
CG-15 Hadrian – Waco
CG-16 – General Airborne Transport
CG-17 – Douglas
CG-18 – Chase
CG-19 – Douglas (not built)
CG-20 – Chase

FG: Fuel Glider (1930–1948)[edit]

FG-1 – Cornelius

PG: Powered Glider (1943–1948)[edit]

PG-1 – Northwestern
PG-2 – Ridgefield (redesignated G-2 in 1948)
PG-3 – Waco (redesignated G-3 in 1948)

TG: Training Glider (1941–1948)[edit]

TG-1 – Frankfort
TG-2 – Schweizer
TG-3 – Schweizer
TG-4 – Laister-Kauffman
TG-5 Grasshopper – Aeronca
TG-6 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
TG-7 Orlik – Warsztaty Szybowcowe
TG-8 Grasshopper – Piper
TG-9 – Sailplane Corporation of America
TG-10 – Wichita Engineering (not built)
TG-11 – Schempp-Hirth
TG-12 – Bowlus (not built)
TG-13 – Sailplane Corporation of America
TG-14 – Stiglmeier
TG-15 – Franklin
TG-16 – Schultz
TG-17 – Franklin
TG-18 – Midwest Sailplane
TG-19 – DFS
TG-20 – Schempp-Hirth
TG-21 – Notre Dame
TG-22 – Mehlhose
TG-23 – Harper-Corcoran
TG-24 – Schempp-Hirth
TG-25 Plover – Wolcott
TG-26 – Universal
TG-27 – Schneider
TG-28 Hawk Junior – Haller
TG-29 – Volmer Jensen
TG-30 Bluebird – Smith
TG-31 – Aero Industries
TG-32 – Pratt-Read
TG-33 – Aeronca

G: Glider (1948–1955)[edit]

In 1948, all the glider categories were unified into a single sequence.

G-2 – Ridgefield (redesignated from PG-2)
G-3 – Waco (redesignated from PG-3)
G-4 Hadrian – Waco (redesignated from CG-4)
G-10 Trojan Horse – Laister-Kauffman (redesignated from CG-10)
G-13 – Waco (redesignated from CG-13)
G-14 – Chase (redesignated from CG-14)
G-15 Hadrian – Waco (redesignated from CG-15)
G-18 – Chase (redesignated from CG-18)
G-20 – Chase (redesignated from CG-20)

S: Sailplane (1960–1962)[edit]

S-1 – Schweizer
S-2 – Schweizer

Liaison[edit]

L: Liaison (1942–1962)[edit]

L-1 Vigilant – Stinson (redesignated from O-49 in 1942)
L-2 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft (redesignated from O-57 in 1942)
L-3 Grasshopper – Aeronca (redesignated from O-58 in 1942)
L-4 Grasshopper – Piper (redesignated from O-59 and C-83A in 1942)
- L-4F/G Grasshopper – Piper (redesignated from C-83 in 1942)
L-5 Sentinel – Stinson (redesignated from O-62 in 1942)
L-6 Grasshopper – Interstate (redesignated from O-63 in 1942)
L-7 – Universal
L-8 Cadet – Interstate
L-9 – Stinson (redesignated from AT-19 in 1942)
L-10 – Ryan
L-11 – Bellanca
L-12 Reliant – Stinson
L-13 – Stinson/Convair
L-14 Cub – Piper
L-15 Scout – Boeing
L-16 Champion – Aeronca
L-17 Navion – North American/Ryan
L-18 Super Cub – Piper
L-19 Bird Dog – Cessna (redesignated to O-1 in 1962)
L-20 Beaver – de Havilland Canada (redesignated to U-6 in 1962)
L-21 Super Cub – Piper (redesignated to U-7 in 1962)
L-22 Navion – Ryan (redesignated to U-18 in 1962)
L-23 Seminole – Beechcraft (redesignated to U-8 in 1962)
L-24 Courier – Helio
L-25 – McDonnell (redesignated to H-35 then V-1)
L-26 Commander – Aero Design (redesignated to U-4 for Air Force and U-9 for Army variants in 1962)
L-27 – Cessna (redesignated to U-3 in 1962)
L-28 Super Courier – Helio (redesignated to U-10 in 1962)

Observation[edit]

O: Observation (1924–1942)[edit]

O-1 Falcon – Curtiss
O-2 – Douglas
O-3 Mohawk – Dayton-Wright
O-4 – Martin (not built)
O-5 – Douglas
O-6 – Thomas-Morse
O-7 – Douglas
O-8 – Douglas
O-9 – Douglas
O-10 – Loening
O-11 Falcon – Curtiss
O-12 Falcon – Curtiss
O-13 Falcon – Curtiss
O-14 – Douglas
O-15 – Keystone
O-16 Falcon – Curtiss
O-17 Courier – Consolidated
O-18 Falcon – Curtiss
O-19 – Thomas-Morse
O-20 – Thomas-Morse
O-21 – Thomas-Morse
O-22 – Douglas
O-23 – Thomas-Morse
O-24 – Curtiss (not built)
O-25 – Douglas
O-26 – Curtiss
O-27 – Fokker
O-28 Corsair – Vought
O-29 – Douglas
O-30 – Curtiss (not built)
O-31 – Douglas
O-32 – Douglas
O-33 – Thomas-Morse
O-34 – Douglas
O-35 – Douglas
O-36 – Douglas
O-37 – Keystone (not built)
O-38 – Douglas
O-39 Falcon – Curtiss
O-40 Raven – Curtiss
O-41 – Thomas-Morse
O-42 – Thomas-Morse
O-43 – Douglas
O-44 – Douglas
O-45 – Martin (not built)
O-46 – Douglas
O-47 – North American
O-48 – Douglas (not built)
O-49 Vigilant – Stinson (redesignated to L-1 in 1942)
O-50 – Bellanca
O-51 Dragonfly – Ryan
YO-51 Dragonfly
O-52 Owl – Curtiss
O-53 Havoc – Douglas (not built)
O-54 – Stinson
O-55 – ERCO
O-56 Ventura – Lockheed
O-57 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft (redesignated to L-2 in 1942)
O-58 Grasshopper – Aeronca (redesignated to L-3 in 1942)
O-59 Grasshopper – Piper (redesignated to L-4 in 1942)
O-60 – Kellett
O-61 – Pitcairn
O-62 Sentinel – Stinson (redesignated to L-5 in 1942)
O-63 Grasshopper – Interstate (redesignated to L-6 in 1942)

Reconnaissance[edit]

F: Photographic Reconnaissance (1930–1948)[edit]

R: Reconnaissance (1948–1962)[edit]

R-11 – Hughes (redesignated from F-11)
R-12 Rainbow – Republic (redesignated from F-12)
R-16 Stratofortress – Boeing^[7]

RS: Reconnaissance/Strike (1960–1962)[edit]

Both of the following aircraft are numbered in the B- (bomber) sequence.

RS-70 Valkyrie – North American (not built)
RS-71 Blackbird – Lockheed

Rotorcraft[edit]

G: Gyroplane (1935–1939)[edit]

G-1 – Kellett
G-2 – Pitcairn

R: Rotary wing (1941–1948)[edit]

In 1941, the category letter R- was allotted for "rotary wing" aircraft, and this designation was used until the founding of the United States Air Force in 1947, at which point the category letter was changed to H-, for "helicopter". However, the original numbering sequence was retained.

R-1 – Platt-LePage
R-2 – Kellett
R-3 – Kellett
R-4 Hoverfly – Sikorsky
R-5 Dragonfly – Sikorsky
R-6 Hoverfly II – Sikorsky
R-7 – Sikorsky (not built)
R-8 – Kellett
R-9 – Firestone
R-10 – Kellett
R-11 – Rotorcraft
R-12 – Bell
R-13 Sioux – Bell
R-14 – Firestone (not built)
R-15 – Bell
R-16 – Piasecki

H: Helicopter (1948–1962)[edit]

H-5 Dragonfly – Sikorsky (redesignated from R-5)
H-6 Hoverfly II – Sikorsky (redesignated from R-6)
H-9 – Firestone (redesignated from R-9)
H-10 – Kellett (redesignated from R-10)
H-11 – Rotorcraft (redesignated from R-11)
H-12 – Bell (redesignated from R-12)
H-13 Sioux – Bell (redesignated from R-13)
H-15 – Bell (redesignated from R-15)
H-16 – Piasecki (redesignated from R-16)
H-17 – Hughes/Kellett
H-18 – Sikorsky
H-19 Chickasaw – Sikorsky
H-20 Little Henry – McDonnell
H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee – Piasecki
H-22 – Kaman
H-23 Raven – Hiller
H-24 – Seibel
H-25 Army Mule – Piasecki
H-26 Jet Jeep – American Helicopter
H-27 Transporter – Piasecki (redesignated from H-16A)
H-28 – Hughes (not built)
H-29 – McDonnell (not built)
H-30 – McCulloch
H-31 – Doman
H-32 Hornet – Hiller
H-33 – Bell (redesignated to V-3)
H-34 Choctaw – Sikorsky
H-35 – McDonnell (redesignated from L-25, later redesignated to V-1)
H-36 – reserved for secret project LONG EARS
H-37 Mojave – Sikorsky
H-38 – reserved for secret project SHORT TAIL
H-39 – Sikorsky
H-40 – Bell
H-41 Seneca – Cessna
H-42 – Hughes
H-43 Huskie – Kaman
H-44 – reserved for secret project BIG TOM
H-45 – reserved for secret project STEP CHILD

Trainer[edit]

AT: Advanced Trainer (1925–1948)[edit]

BC: Basic Combat (1936–1940)[edit]

BC-1 – North American
BC-2 – North American
BC-3 – Vultee

BT: Basic Trainer (1930–1948)[edit]

BT-1 – Douglas
BT-2 – Douglas
BT-3 – Stearman
BT-4 – Curtiss
BT-5 – Stearman
BT-6 – Consolidated
BT-7 – Consolidated
BT-8 – Seversky
BT-9 – North American
BT-10 – North American
BT-11 – Aircraft Research (not built)
BT-12 – Fleetwings
BT-13 Valiant – Vultee
BT-14 – North American
BT-15 Valiant – Vultee
BT-16 Valiant – Vultee
BT-17 – Boeing-Stearman

PT: Primary Trainer (1925–1948)[edit]

PT-1 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-2 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-3 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-4 Trusty – Consolidated (not built)
PT-5 Trusty – Consolidated
PT-6 – Consolidated
PT-7 Pinto – Mohawk
PT-8 – Consolidated
PT-9 – Stearman
PT-10 – Verville
PT-11 – Consolidated
PT-12 – Consolidated
PT-13 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
PT-14 – Waco
PT-15 – St. Louis
PT-16 – Ryan
PT-17 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
PT-18 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
PT-19 Cornell – Fairchild
PT-20 – Ryan
PT-21 Recruit – Ryan
PT-22 Recruit – Ryan
PT-23 Cornell – Fairchild
PT-24 Tiger Moth – de Havilland^[8]
PT-25 – Ryan
PT-26 Cornell – Fairchild
PT-27 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman

T: Trainer (1948–1962)[edit]

In 1948, the Advanced, Basic, and Primary Trainer categories were unified into one sequence. Below are the designations that were assigned before the introduction of the Tri-Service system. For the designations in the same sequence that were assigned after 1962, see List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations § Continued original sequence (1962–present).

T-6 Texan – North American (redesignated from AT-6)
T-7 Navigator – Beechcraft (redesignated from AT-7)
T-11 Kansan – Beechcraft (redesignated from AT-11)
T-13 Valiant – Vultee (redesignated from BT-13)
T-13 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman (conflicting designation, redesignated from PT-13)
T-17 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman (redesignated from PT-17)
T-19 Cornell – Fairchild (redesignated from PT-19)
T-28 Trojan – North American
T-29 Samaritan – Convair
T-30 – Douglas (not built)
T-31 – Fairchild (not built)
T-32 Samaritan – Convair (not built)
T-33 Shooting Star – Lockheed
T-34 Mentor – Beechcraft
T-35 Buckaroo – Temco
T-36 – Beechcraft
T-37 Tweet – Cessna
T-38 Talon – Northrop
T-39 Sabreliner – North American
T-40 JetStar – Lockheed (not built)

VTOL[edit]

V: VTOL (1954–1962)[edit]

V-1 – McDonnell (redesignated from H-35)
V-2 – Sikorsky (not built)
V-3 – Bell (redesignated from H-33)

References[edit]

Notes[edit]

Citations[edit]

^ "Airship AC-1 Lands At Field". The Airship Log. Vol. 1. Belleville, Illinois: Meyer & Farrell. 4 May 1923. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "RN-1 Zodiac Arrived at Scott Field". The Airship Log. Vol. 1, no. 1. Belleville, Illinois: Meyer & Farrell. 4 May 1923. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Lockheed B-71 (SR-71)". National Museum of the United States Air Force. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-02.
^ Andrade 1979, page 60
^ Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History. p. 1. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
^ "HazeGray.org". rec.aviation.military FAQ, Part 4. Retrieved 2007-01-13.
^ Andrade 1979, p. 162
^ Office of History, Headquarters Third Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe: Installations and USAAF Combat Units in the United Kingdom 1942–1945, Revised and Expanded Edition Archived 2011-09-24 at the Wayback Machine. October 1980; reprinted February 1985

Bibliography[edit]

Andrade, John M. (1979). U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909. Midland Counties Publications. ISBN 978-0-904597-22-6.

External links[edit]

[1] "Airship AC-1 Lands At Field". The Airship Log. Vol. 1. Belleville, Illinois: Meyer & Farrell. 4 May 1923. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.

[2] "RN-1 Zodiac Arrived at Scott Field". The Airship Log. Vol. 1, no. 1. Belleville, Illinois: Meyer & Farrell. 4 May 1923. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.

[3] "Lockheed B-71 (SR-71)". National Museum of the United States Air Force. October 29, 2009. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-02.

[4] Andrade 1979, page 60

[5] Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems: Volume 1 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History. p. 1. Retrieved 10 December 2020.

[Haze2-6] "HazeGray.org". rec.aviation.military FAQ, Part 4. Retrieved 2007-01-13.

[7] Andrade 1979, p. 162

[AFHRA-8] Office of History, Headquarters Third Air Force, United States Air Forces in Europe: Installations and USAAF Combat Units in the United Kingdom 1942–1945, Revised and Expanded Edition Archived 2011-09-24 at the Wayback Machine. October 1980; reprinted February 1985

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