1943:
1957:
2928:
1971:
1725:, as aircraft ordered for one purpose became adapted to a multitude of roles, mark numbers became prefixed with letters to indicate the role of that variant. Aircraft of the same mark that were adapted for different purpose would then be differentiated by the prefix. For instance the Defiant Mk.I was adapted to a
1800:
variant in Royal Air Force service was the
Hercules C.1 ('Cargo, Mark 1'). A single example was adapted for weather monitoring purposes and became the Hercules W.2. The fuselage-lengthened variant became the Hercules C.3. For aircraft with a long service life, as their function evolves over time,
1784:
is either designated as KC2, indicating two Cobham 905E underwing hose and drogue refuelling pods, whereas the KC3 indicates a total of three hose and drogue refuelling units (two underwing, and an additional centreline Cobham 805E Fuselage
Refuelling Unit), there was never any 'mark 1' variant of
1855:
aircraft would be produced under contract, and would be referred to by manufacturer name and specification number. If accepted, they would get a service name. For example, the 'Fairey 6/22' was built to meet the 6th specification issued in the year 1922; it was subsequently accepted as the
1752:
to eliminate buffeting. This design change was made standard on all subsequent production
Mosquitoes. The series number denoted a revision during the production run of a particular mark. This again could then have an additional letter-suffix; e.g.: the Halifax Mk.II Series IA.
1702:-type. Sometimes, an alphabetic suffix was added to the mark number to indicate a minor change, e.g.: Bulldog Mk.IIA. Occasionally, this letter indicated a change in role, e.g.: the Blenheim Mk.I bomber was adapted to the Blenheim Mk.IF long-range
153:. A further change was made in 1932 and 1939, to use more appropriate names. Fighters were to use "General words indicating speed, activity or aggressiveness", and trainer aircraft would be "words indicating tuition and places of education".
1756:
Export variants of
British military aircraft are usually allocated mark numbers (sometimes without a role prefix) from a higher range of numbers, usually starting at Mark 50. A converse convention was adopted for the Canadian-designed
1697:
added to the type name, usually preceded by 'Mark', or its abbreviated form 'Mk.' or 'Mk', e.g.: Fury Mk.I. Mark numbers were allocated sequentially to each new variant, the new mark number signifying a 'major' change such as a new
1718:, the Lancaster I became a Lancaster III. Otherwise, these two aircraft were identical in appearance and performance, and normally indistinguishable from each other but needed to be identified differently for maintenance.
1896:, the 'S.E.' prefix representing 'scouting experimental'. In practice, successful Royal Aircraft Factory designs were largely built by other manufacturers, though still known by the Royal Aircraft Factory designations.
1772:
for mark numbers, but older aircraft retained their Roman numerals. From 1948 onwards, Arabic numerals were used exclusively. Thus, the
Spitfire PR Mk.XIX became the PR Mk.19 after 1948. With this change, the
2004:
61:
1864:
was the 28th specification issued in 1935; in this case the specification was specifically written for the
Bristol 142M, a modification of Bristol's Type 142 private venture civil aircraft (
1780:
More recently, mark numbers have not always been used sequentially, but instead used to highlight differences in equipment installed. Specific examples include aerial refuelling tankers; the
2146:"UK signs £72.5m contract for MQ-9A Reaper support to 2021 – General Atomics has been awarded £72.5m contract by the United Kingdom for MQ-9A Reaper Contractor Logistics Support Phase IV"
1768:
for mark numbers, sometimes separated from its 'mark' abbreviation by a period (full stop). 1943 to 1948 was a transition period, during which new aircraft entering service were given
211:, names starting with H, etc. This began during the First World War, when aircraft manufacturers were given an initial pairing of letters to use in the naming of their aircraft: e.g.
2763:
2499:
1994:
57:
2633:
2509:
2009:
1805:
digit will change to reflect this. The practice of restarting the mark numbers for the naval variant where the name was changed continued; e.g., the naval version of the
2555:
2529:
149:, and mythology were withdrawn in 1927, and the Air Ministry introduced names with the initial letters relating to role, for example C for troop carriers as used by the
1744:
Occasionally, other 'minor' but nonetheless important changes might be denoted by series numbers, preceded by 'Series', 'Srs.', or 'Srs', e.g.: Mosquito B Mk.IV Series
601:
Where civilian aircraft types have been taken into service, their existing names or alphanumeric designations have often (though not always) been retained; e.g.: the
1777:
variants were allocated their own range within one common series for all variants; e.g.: the Hawker Fury Mk.I was followed by the Sea Fury F.10, Sea Fury FB.11 etc.
2715:
2504:
1989:
2957:
1999:
563:, but converted to other roles, rarely changed their names. However significant changes in a design might result in a name change; the extensive redesign of the
1931:, which is currently known in RAF service as the 'C-17 Globemaster III', have used the original US designation, rather than assigning a UK specific designation.
103:
In this system, which has been used since the end of World War I, each aircraft designation consists of a name, (sometimes) a role prefix, and a mark number.
2519:
2494:
1824:
The post-1948 mark numbers are variously presented in full, e.g.: Hercules C Mk.3; or abbreviated, e.g.: Hercules C3 forms; and either with or without a
215:
were given 'Bo'. From this, and the requirement to use the names of birds or insects for fighter aircraft, their first in-house fighter design was the
1912:, the tenth 'Vickers Civil' design, were (Type 1106) VC10 C1 transports converted to have additional tanker role; known in service as Vickers VC10 C1K;
2438:
1706:. Sometimes a minor but otherwise significant change in an aircraft would necessitate a new mark number, e.g., when the Lancaster I was fitted with
2768:
137:. They mainly followed the February 1918 scheme, but certain names already used for engines were excluded, for example birds of prey were used by
2784:
2710:
2658:
2550:
1984:
438:
was a contraction of 'Sea
Spitfire'. Sometimes, the naval version entered service without a corresponding land-based type doing so, as with the
122:. The classes were further divided by size of aircraft and land or sea-based, for example a three-seater sea-based fighter would be named after
2850:
2814:
2809:
2732:
2643:
2187:
575:(initially Lancaster Mark.IV) as the design was improved, however the Lincoln had more in common with the Manchester than the late models of
408:
began life as the North
American Mustang Mk.I with the Royal Air Force. U.S. Navy names, conversely, were being increasingly adopted by the
2893:
2524:
2489:
2456:
1748:/ B Mk.IV Series II – the different series number denoting the introduction, after a few initial production aircraft, of extended engine
2246:
1848:
1842:
49:, often in combination with a letter to indicate the role. This is in contrast to identification systems used in countries such as the
1860:. Later, a preceding letter was added to the specification number to identify the type of aircraft; e.g.: specification B.28/35 for a
2952:
2673:
1758:
2758:
2694:
2407:
2789:
2613:
2545:
2479:
1085:
2916:
2883:
2845:
2514:
2911:
2648:
2484:
2122:
2145:
404:, were not generally in the habit of giving aircraft names, and many British-chosen names would later be adopted; e.g.: the
2212:
91:
No designation system was introduced during World War I that covered more than the products of a single manufacturer. The
2921:
2720:
2663:
2431:
2111:
1810:
1552:
1505:
1136:
1038:
560:
385:
311:
505:
and, before the aforementioned adoption of the U.S. Navy's existing names for Fleet Air Arm aircraft of
American origin,
2878:
2835:
1893:
1237:
1176:
742:
342:
45:
military service have generally been known by a service name (e.g. 'Spitfire'), with individual variants recognised by
2727:
2653:
1928:
1370:
1004:
939:
895:
405:
262:
1892:. The Royal Aircraft Factory designated its types according to either the layout of the aircraft or its role; e.g.:
56:
The
British military aircraft designations (e.g. 'Spitfire Mark V' or 'Hercules C3') should not be confused with the
1927:
For some aircraft types in the UK armed services which originate from established U.S. military aircraft; e.g., the
1741:
variant, this would have its own series of mark numbers, e.g.: the Seafire Mk.I was derived from the Spitfire Mk.V.
2931:
2668:
2581:
2576:
2571:
196:
and the manufacturer or importer when the order was placed. Names generally followed one or a number of patterns:
193:
1813:, marks started again at FRS Mk.1, whilst variants where the name was unchanged for the naval version such as the
2689:
1611:
1596:
1479:
994:
829:
423:
358:
2840:
2794:
2424:
1793:
The system has been largely unchanged since 1948, with the addition of more prefixes as new roles have arisen.
1653:
1520:
1443:
1427:
1280:
924:
416:
shedding its alternative Fleet Air Arm 'Martlet' name in favour of 'Wildcat', the original American naval name.
303:
2281:
1296:
1248:
2804:
1806:
1658:
1637:
1449:
1157:
958:
882:
694:
95:
frequently referred to designs by the serial of the first aircraft of that type to be accepted for service.
1263:
2898:
2830:
2638:
1889:
1433:
1375:
1218:
1049:
710:
606:
517:
486:
443:
427:
1948:
1915:
1899:
Some examples of manufacturers designations and the corresponding service designations are shown below:
1627:
1474:
1417:
913:
868:
840:
787:
767:
699:
397:
292:
274:
216:
107:
81:
2052:
422:
of aircraft not originally ordered for the Fleet Air Arm were given the prefix 'Sea', such as with the
2873:
2628:
2399:
1567:
1411:
1401:
1285:
1269:
943:
854:
752:
618:
537:
521:
435:
258:
220:
77:
27:
2888:
2029:
1583:
1539:
1526:
1388:
1022:
1009:
638:
431:
413:
169:
138:
1821:, which began as a naval aircraft, the RAF kept the name and it also has a single set of numbers.
2868:
2153:
1903:
1885:
1802:
1715:
1690:
1672:
1562:
1464:
1343:
1317:
1232:
988:
977:
669:
533:
529:
450:
278:
224:
204:
173:
150:
46:
1828:
between the prefix and mark number. The use of the 'Mark' or 'Mk.' has gradually been dropped.
493:(a 1930s carrier fighter). Nimrod aside, many naval fighters were named for birds; such as the
2748:
2403:
2381:
2370:
2334:
2183:
2179:
2085:
1857:
1818:
1797:
1622:
1492:
1328:
1312:
1207:
1202:
948:
900:
800:
715:
494:
366:
350:
327:
92:
73:
38:
2258:
2623:
2618:
2326:
1869:
1722:
1703:
1253:
583:
549:
541:
478:
470:
466:
393:
362:
335:
331:
296:
212:
177:
118:
were to have geographical names; and 'heavy armoured machines' would be personal names from
111:
2356:
2296:
2753:
2603:
2447:
2254:
2220:
1962:
1861:
1699:
1686:
1516:
1186:
1131:
1080:
1069:
1054:
1033:
679:
630:
564:
525:
513:
506:
462:
439:
346:
323:
315:
270:
208:
176:). With the introduction of helicopters, these were to be named after trees but only the
130:
115:
34:
60:(also known as its "serial") used to identify individual aircraft (e.g. XR220), nor with
473:. Mythological names, particularly with an association with water were common, such as
1976:
1769:
1707:
1643:
1577:
1163:
1064:
782:
595:
591:
587:
568:
545:
502:
474:
370:
354:
254:
250:
161:
157:
69:
42:
2946:
2799:
1814:
1765:
1726:
1694:
1459:
1301:
1098:
929:
772:
498:
490:
458:
454:
409:
165:
85:
65:
50:
613:
The systems began to change in the immediate post-Second World War period, with the
2608:
1909:
1881:
1817:
have a single set of numbers for both land and naval variants. In the case of the
1359:
1191:
964:
757:
725:
602:
572:
319:
246:
228:
200:
189:
84:), though mark numbers were used to indicate aircraft built for other nations e.g.
528:. As with other American aircraft purchased, appropriate US names were used; the
53:, where an aircraft type is primarily identified by an alphanumeric designation.
2224:
1781:
1711:
824:
813:
634:
288:
284:
1938:
1730:
1606:
626:
622:
556:
389:
307:
2338:
392:, were given American-themed names following established patterns, e.g.: the
1852:
1825:
419:
401:
266:
146:
123:
349:
were given names associated with mythological or legendary leaders; e.g.:
133:(RAF) in April 1918, the Ministry of Munitions introduced a new system as
1749:
1333:
642:
614:
576:
23:
106:
A unified official naming system was introduced in February 1918 by the
1761:, where the sole British service variant was designated Chipmunk T.10.
232:
188:
The name ('type name') of an aircraft type would be agreed between the
142:
2314:
449:
Naval aircraft ordered as such had names with a nautical theme; e.g.:
365:. A sense of irony was present when some of the names were chosen as
219:. For bombers the additional requirement was a place-name, hence the
2395:
2330:
512:
Training aircraft were given names related to academic institutions:
482:
374:
236:
126:. Italian towns were to be used for single-seat land-based bombers.
2416:
378:
2005:
United States Department of Defense aerospace vehicle designation
1880:
From about 1910, the largest single designer of aircraft for the
1868:) for military use as a bomber, which would enter service as the
2032:
is known for its distinctive winged seeds which spin as the fall
1689:, variants of each operational type were usually indicated by a
240:
119:
2420:
2379:
Wansbrough-White, Gordon (December 1994). "What's in a name?".
2368:
Wansbrough-White, Gordon (November 1994). "What's in a name?".
1729:, the Defiant NF Mk.II, some of which were later converted to
536:
universities. Alternative names for teachers were also used;
110:, the scheme would use classes of names related to the role.
64:(e.g. C-5, C-17, MQ-9) or manufacturer's designations (e.g.
369:
were the mythical leaders and founders of England when the
629:
strategic bombers were given names beginning with 'V' –
509:(the martlet being a heraldic bird) for the F4F fighter.
1832:
Other designation systems used for UK military aircraft
2112:"British military aircraft designations 1945 to date"
287:
were given the names of coastal or port communities:
1995:
United Kingdom military aircraft registration number
579:
did with the early versions so it wasn't consistent.
400:. The American services, with the exception of the
2859:
2823:
2777:
2741:
2703:
2682:
2594:
2564:
2538:
2472:
2463:
1847:From 1920 to 1949, most aircraft had an associated
412:as 1942 and 1943 progressed, as in the case of the
156:Bombers were to be named after inland towns in the
2010:Soviet Union military aircraft designation systems
582:A trend might also be followed by a manufacturer;
461:. Torpedo bombers were given 'fish' names; e.g.:
381:invaded the British Isles in the 5th century.
2297:"RAF Museum aircraft thesaurus – Hawker-Siddeley"
1990:List of active United Kingdom military aircraft
2357:"UK & Canada aircraft designation systems"
2000:Japanese military aircraft designation systems
1764:Up until the end of 1942, the RAF always used
653:Role prefixes used at various times comprise:
141:for their aero-engines. The names related to
2432:
2319:Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology
2315:"British Standards and the Aircraft Industry"
265:also received the names of cities and towns:
8:
203:was particularly common; e.g. aircraft from
2469:
2439:
2425:
2417:
2392:Aircraft of the Royal Air Force since 1918
1801:the designation letters and sometimes the
1095:fighter / ground attack (superseded by FG)
655:
88:was a Hunter F.6 for the Swiss Air Force.
555:Aircraft built for one role, such as the
2065:
2063:
2061:
1710:engines, which used a different make of
1640:(pilotless aircraft) – (superseded by D)
1108:fighter / ground attack / reconnaissance
249:received the names of cities and towns:
114:were to be animals, plants or minerals;
2072:The Oxford Handbook of Names and Naming
2045:
2021:
1985:List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force
974:mine exploding ('directional wireless')
2810:Commandant-General of the RAF Regiment
2084:Vickers names starting with W were of
20:British military aircraft designations
2958:Military aircraft designation systems
2733:List of equipment of the RAF Regiment
2174:Calvert, Denis J. (1 November 2012).
567:from two engines to four was renamed
7:
2927:
2125:from the original on 12 October 2007
1398:low-altitude fighter (Spitfire only)
135:Technical Department Instruction 538
2634:Princess Mary's RAF Nursing Service
1843:List of Air Ministry specifications
1385:low-altitude fighter (Seafire only)
657:British military aircraft prefixes
207:were given names starting with V,
26:types and variants operated by the
2874:Combined Cadet Force (RAF section)
2202:Morgan and Shacklady 2000, p. 593.
1759:de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk
28:armed forces of the United Kingdom
14:
1849:Air Ministry specification number
797:airborne surveillance and control
2926:
2790:Assistant Chief of the Air Staff
2325:(12): 378–379. 1 December 1962.
2144:Allison, George (18 June 2019).
1969:
1955:
1941:
1414:reconnaissance (superseded by W)
867:bomber / photo reconnaissance /
306:were named for naval explorers:
2884:RAF Centre of Aviation Medicine
2764:List of serving senior officers
2301:CollectionsTrust.Orangeleaf.org
129:Following the formation of the
99:The military designation system
1502:reconnaissance / ground attack
1173:ground attack / reconnaissance
223:; and its contemporaries; the
58:military aircraft registration
1:
2176:Hawker Siddeley / BAe Harrier
561:Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle
343:army co-operation and liaison
1894:Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5
621:. The RAF's three post-war
571:, which was in turn renamed
2659:RAF Mountain Rescue Service
2654:RAF Search and Rescue Force
2213:"History Gallery 1950–1959"
1929:Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
1508:(expected in service 2024)
1475:photographic reconnaissance
1160:(to 1950, superseded by MR)
1130:fighter / reconnaissance /
1005:electronic counter-measures
406:North American P-51 Mustang
384:American aircraft, whether
2974:
2815:Warrant Officer of the RAF
2510:Operational Training units
1876:Manufacturers designations
1840:
987:electronics (particularly
925:carrier – onboard delivery
180:was named in this scheme.
62:U.S. aircraft designations
2953:British military aircraft
2907:
2759:List of notable personnel
2690:Royal Auxiliary Air Force
2556:Satellite Landing Grounds
2454:
1446:reconnaissance and attack
753:airborne observation post
359:General Aircraft Hamilcar
2894:RAF Football Association
2795:Air Member for Personnel
2515:Schools / Training units
2247:"RAF Timeline 1950–1959"
1593:torpedo / reconnaissance
1536:strategic reconnaissance
1119:fighter / reconnaissance
910:communications transport
883:strategic reconnaissance
483:Nimrod the mighty hunter
304:maritime patrol aircraft
2805:Air Member for Materiel
2390:Thetford, Owen (1976).
2150:UKDefenceJournal.org.uk
1796:For example, the first
2110:Flintham, Vic (n.d.).
1916:Westland WAH-64 Apache
1910:Vickers VC10 Type 1180
1890:Royal Aircraft Factory
1807:Hawker Siddely Harrier
1733:as the Defiant TT Mk.I
1716:Rolls-Royce-built ones
1158:general reconnaissance
711:airborne early warning
617:and types such as the
518:North American Harvard
487:Hawker Siddeley Nimrod
479:goddess of sea and sky
444:de Havilland Sea Vixen
428:de Havilland Sea Venom
2695:RAF Volunteer Reserve
2282:Jane's Defence Weekly
2099:Boulton Paul Aircraft
1949:United Kingdom portal
1870:Bristol Blenheim Mk.I
1837:Specification numbers
1789:Format of designation
1737:. Where there was a
1264:high-altitude fighter
700:Supermarine Sea Otter
682:(paratroop transport)
398:Consolidated Catalina
293:Supermarine Stranraer
275:Handley Page Hastings
243:all being in France).
217:Boulton Paul Bobolink
108:Ministry of Munitions
33:Since the end of the
22:are used to refer to
2728:List of RAF missiles
2711:List of RAF aircraft
2629:RAF Medical Services
2614:RAF Chaplains Branch
2070:Carole Hough (ed.).
1708:Packard-built Merlin
961:(pilotless aircraft)
944:photo reconnaissance
855:photo reconnaissance
619:Supermarine Scimitar
538:De Havilland Dominie
522:Boulton Paul Balliol
436:Supermarine Spitfire
424:Hawker Sea Hurricane
259:Handley Page Halifax
221:Boulton Paul Bourges
2889:RAF Benevolent Fund
2824:symbols and uniform
2457:Ministry of Defence
2074:. pp. 607–609.
1344:helicopter, utility
731:Westland Lynx AH.7
658:
639:Handley Page Victor
414:Grumman F4F Wildcat
170:Battle, East Sussex
86:Hawker Hunter Mk.58
2869:Air Training Corps
2785:Chief of Air Staff
2649:RAF Music Services
2285:, 22 December 2010
2154:UK Defence Journal
1886:Royal Flying Corps
1597:Sea Mosquito TR.33
1521:nuclear capability
989:electronic warfare
656:
451:Supermarine Walrus
434:for the navalised
386:purchased directly
279:Blackburn Beverley
263:transport aircraft
225:Airco DH.10 Amiens
205:Vickers-Armstrongs
174:Battle of Hastings
172:, the site of the
160:, for example the
151:Handley Page Clive
2940:
2939:
2769:Personnel numbers
2664:RAF Marine Branch
2644:RAF ground trades
2590:
2589:
2382:Aeroplane Monthly
2371:Aeroplane Monthly
2189:978 0 85733 079 6
2180:Haynes Publishing
2119:VicFlintham.co.uk
2053:Westland Lysander
1858:Fairey Flycatcher
1798:Lockheed Hercules
1678:
1677:
1549:special transport
1137:Sea Harrier FRS.1
873:Valiant B(PR)K.1
526:Fairchild Cornell
495:Fairey Flycatcher
388:or sourced under
367:Hengist and Horsa
351:Westland Lysander
328:Ernest Shackleton
2965:
2930:
2929:
2860:associated civil
2624:RAF Legal Branch
2619:RAF Intelligence
2505:Conversion units
2470:
2441:
2434:
2427:
2418:
2413:
2394:(6th ed.).
2386:
2375:
2364:
2361:Aerospaceweb.org
2343:
2342:
2331:10.1108/eb033656
2311:
2305:
2304:
2293:
2287:
2286:
2277:
2271:
2270:
2268:
2266:
2261:on 25 April 2017
2257:. Archived from
2243:
2237:
2236:
2234:
2232:
2223:. Archived from
2209:
2203:
2200:
2194:
2193:
2171:
2165:
2164:
2162:
2160:
2141:
2135:
2134:
2132:
2130:
2121:. Vic Flintham.
2116:
2107:
2101:
2095:
2089:
2082:
2076:
2075:
2067:
2056:
2050:
2033:
2026:
1979:
1974:
1973:
1972:
1965:
1960:
1959:
1958:
1951:
1946:
1945:
1944:
1723:Second World War
1685:Starting in the
1654:weather research
1584:Beaufighter TF.X
1164:Lancaster GR.III
1039:Sea Harrier FA.2
949:Pembroke C(PR).1
923:courier – later
859:Valiant B(PR).1
788:Sea Otter ASR.II
659:
607:Lockheed TriStar
584:Hawker Hurricane
550:Percival Proctor
542:Percival Provost
477:, named for the
471:Fairey Barracuda
467:Fairey Swordfish
394:Martin Baltimore
363:Slingsby Hengist
336:Francis Beaufort
332:Bristol Beaufort
297:Short Sunderland
213:Boulton Paul Ltd
178:Bristol Sycamore
112:Fighter aircraft
2973:
2972:
2968:
2967:
2966:
2964:
2963:
2962:
2943:
2942:
2941:
2936:
2903:
2879:RAF Association
2861:
2855:
2851:Heraldic badges
2819:
2773:
2737:
2699:
2678:
2604:Air Force Board
2596:
2586:
2560:
2534:
2465:
2459:
2450:
2448:Royal Air Force
2445:
2410:
2400:Putnam & Co
2389:
2378:
2367:
2355:
2352:
2350:Further reading
2347:
2346:
2313:
2312:
2308:
2295:
2294:
2290:
2279:
2278:
2274:
2264:
2262:
2255:Royal Air Force
2245:
2244:
2240:
2230:
2228:
2221:Royal Air Force
2211:
2210:
2206:
2201:
2197:
2190:
2173:
2172:
2168:
2158:
2156:
2143:
2142:
2138:
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2126:
2114:
2109:
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2104:
2096:
2092:
2083:
2079:
2069:
2068:
2059:
2051:
2047:
2042:
2037:
2036:
2027:
2023:
2018:
1975:
1970:
1968:
1963:Aviation portal
1961:
1956:
1954:
1947:
1942:
1940:
1937:
1925:
1923:US designations
1906:= Aldershot II;
1878:
1845:
1839:
1834:
1811:BAe Sea Harrier
1791:
1770:Arabic numerals
1687:interwar period
1683:
1553:Albemarle ST.VI
1402:Spitfire LF.XVI
1297:maritime attack
1270:Spitfire HF.VII
1266:(Spitfire only)
1223:Sea King HAS.2
978:Wellington DW.1
887:Victor B(SR).2
845:Valiant B(K).1
830:Canberra B(I).8
801:Sea King ASaC.7
693:amphibian boat
651:
631:Vickers Valiant
565:Avro Manchester
514:Airspeed Oxford
507:Grumman Martlet
485:, used for the
463:Blackburn Shark
440:Hawker Sea Fury
324:Avro Shackleton
316:Lockheed Hudson
271:Vickers Valetta
209:Hawker Aircraft
186:
131:Royal Air Force
116:bomber aircraft
101:
35:First World War
17:
12:
11:
5:
2971:
2969:
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2700:
2698:
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2683:reserve forces
2680:
2679:
2677:
2676:
2671:
2669:RAF Air Cadets
2666:
2661:
2656:
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2646:
2641:
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2195:
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2136:
2102:
2090:
2077:
2057:
2044:
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2020:
2019:
2017:
2014:
2013:
2012:
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1992:
1987:
1981:
1980:
1977:History portal
1966:
1952:
1936:
1933:
1924:
1921:
1920:
1919:
1913:
1907:
1888:(RFC) was the
1877:
1874:
1872:light bomber.
1841:Main article:
1838:
1835:
1833:
1830:
1790:
1787:
1766:Roman numerals
1682:
1679:
1676:
1675:
1669:
1666:
1662:
1661:
1656:
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1647:
1646:
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1635:
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1619:
1615:
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1612:Canberra TT.18
1609:
1604:
1600:
1599:
1594:
1591:
1587:
1586:
1581:
1575:
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1570:
1565:
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1547:
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1524:
1514:
1510:
1509:
1506:Protector RG.1
1503:
1500:
1496:
1495:
1490:
1489:reconnaissance
1487:
1483:
1482:
1477:
1472:
1468:
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1462:
1457:
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1452:
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1441:
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1431:
1430:reconnaissance
1425:
1421:
1420:
1418:Hastings Met.1
1415:
1412:meteorological
1409:
1405:
1404:
1399:
1396:
1392:
1391:
1386:
1383:
1379:
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1373:
1367:
1363:
1362:
1357:
1354:
1350:
1349:
1348:Sea King HU.4
1346:
1341:
1337:
1336:
1331:
1325:
1321:
1320:
1318:Dragonfly HR.5
1315:
1309:
1305:
1304:
1299:
1293:
1289:
1288:
1283:
1277:
1273:
1272:
1267:
1261:
1257:
1256:
1254:Squirrel HCC.1
1251:
1249:communications
1245:
1241:
1240:
1235:
1229:
1225:
1224:
1221:
1219:anti-submarine
1215:
1211:
1210:
1208:Sea King HAR.3
1205:
1199:
1195:
1194:
1189:
1184:
1180:
1179:
1174:
1171:
1167:
1166:
1161:
1155:
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1147:
1144:
1140:
1139:
1134:
1128:
1124:
1123:
1120:
1117:
1113:
1112:
1111:Phantom FGR.2
1109:
1106:
1102:
1101:
1096:
1093:
1089:
1088:
1083:
1077:
1073:
1072:
1070:Sea Fury FB.11
1067:
1065:fighter-bomber
1062:
1058:
1057:
1052:
1046:
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1041:
1036:
1030:
1026:
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1020:
1017:
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827:
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811:
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804:
803:
798:
795:
791:
790:
785:
783:air-sea rescue
780:
776:
775:
770:
768:anti-submarine
765:
761:
760:
755:
750:
746:
745:
740:
737:
733:
732:
729:
723:
719:
718:
713:
708:
704:
703:
697:
695:reconnaissance
691:
687:
686:
685:Halifax A.VII
683:
677:
673:
672:
666:
663:
650:
647:
611:
610:
599:
580:
569:Avro Lancaster
553:
546:Miles Magister
510:
503:Blackburn Skua
475:Blackburn Iris
447:
420:Naval versions
417:
382:
355:Airspeed Horsa
339:
300:
282:
255:Avro Lancaster
251:Short Stirling
244:
185:
182:
162:Avro Lancaster
158:British Empire
100:
97:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
2970:
2959:
2956:
2954:
2951:
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2925:
2923:
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2913:
2910:
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2887:
2885:
2882:
2880:
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2875:
2872:
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2867:
2866:
2864:
2862:organisations
2858:
2852:
2849:
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2844:
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2826:
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2808:
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2800:Air Secretary
2798:
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2786:
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2782:
2780:
2776:
2770:
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2757:
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2749:Officer ranks
2747:
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2740:
2734:
2731:
2729:
2726:
2722:
2719:
2717:
2714:
2713:
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2506:
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2453:
2449:
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2437:
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2430:
2428:
2423:
2422:
2419:
2411:
2409:0-370-10056-5
2405:
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2298:
2292:
2289:
2284:
2283:
2276:
2273:
2260:
2256:
2252:
2248:
2242:
2239:
2227:on 2 May 2017
2226:
2222:
2218:
2214:
2208:
2205:
2199:
2196:
2191:
2185:
2181:
2177:
2170:
2167:
2155:
2151:
2147:
2140:
2137:
2124:
2120:
2113:
2106:
2103:
2100:
2094:
2091:
2088:construction.
2087:
2081:
2078:
2073:
2066:
2064:
2062:
2058:
2054:
2049:
2046:
2039:
2031:
2030:sycamore tree
2025:
2022:
2015:
2011:
2008:
2006:
2003:
2001:
1998:
1996:
1993:
1991:
1988:
1986:
1983:
1982:
1978:
1967:
1964:
1953:
1950:
1939:
1934:
1932:
1930:
1922:
1918:= Apache AH1.
1917:
1914:
1911:
1908:
1905:
1902:
1901:
1900:
1897:
1895:
1891:
1887:
1883:
1875:
1873:
1871:
1867:
1866:Britain First
1863:
1859:
1854:
1850:
1844:
1836:
1831:
1829:
1827:
1822:
1820:
1816:
1812:
1808:
1804:
1799:
1794:
1788:
1786:
1785:the Voyager.
1783:
1778:
1776:
1771:
1767:
1762:
1760:
1754:
1751:
1747:
1742:
1740:
1736:
1732:
1728:
1727:night fighter
1724:
1719:
1717:
1713:
1709:
1705:
1701:
1696:
1695:Roman numeral
1692:
1688:
1680:
1674:
1671:example with
1670:
1667:
1664:
1663:
1660:
1657:
1655:
1652:
1649:
1648:
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1554:
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1545:
1544:
1541:
1538:
1535:
1532:
1531:
1528:
1527:Buccaneer S.2
1525:
1522:
1518:
1515:
1512:
1511:
1507:
1504:
1501:
1498:
1497:
1494:
1491:
1488:
1485:
1484:
1481:
1480:Canberra PR.9
1478:
1476:
1473:
1470:
1469:
1466:
1463:
1461:
1460:night fighter
1458:
1455:
1454:
1451:
1448:
1445:
1442:
1439:
1438:
1435:
1432:
1429:
1426:
1423:
1422:
1419:
1416:
1413:
1410:
1407:
1406:
1403:
1400:
1397:
1394:
1393:
1390:
1389:Seafire L.III
1387:
1384:
1381:
1380:
1377:
1374:
1372:
1368:
1365:
1364:
1361:
1358:
1355:
1352:
1351:
1347:
1345:
1342:
1339:
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1335:
1332:
1330:
1326:
1323:
1322:
1319:
1316:
1314:
1310:
1307:
1306:
1303:
1300:
1298:
1294:
1291:
1290:
1287:
1284:
1282:
1278:
1275:
1274:
1271:
1268:
1265:
1262:
1259:
1258:
1255:
1252:
1250:
1246:
1243:
1242:
1239:
1236:
1234:
1230:
1227:
1226:
1222:
1220:
1216:
1213:
1212:
1209:
1206:
1204:
1200:
1197:
1196:
1193:
1190:
1188:
1185:
1182:
1181:
1178:
1175:
1172:
1169:
1168:
1165:
1162:
1159:
1156:
1153:
1152:
1149:Hunter GA.11
1148:
1146:ground attack
1145:
1142:
1141:
1138:
1135:
1133:
1129:
1126:
1125:
1122:Hunter FR.10
1121:
1118:
1115:
1114:
1110:
1107:
1104:
1103:
1100:
1097:
1094:
1091:
1090:
1087:
1084:
1082:
1081:ground attack
1078:
1075:
1074:
1071:
1068:
1066:
1063:
1060:
1059:
1056:
1055:Javelin FAW.9
1053:
1051:
1047:
1044:
1043:
1040:
1037:
1035:
1031:
1028:
1027:
1024:
1021:
1018:
1015:
1014:
1011:
1010:Avenger ECM.6
1008:
1006:
1003:
1000:
999:
996:
995:Canberra E.15
993:
990:
986:
983:
982:
979:
976:
973:
970:
969:
966:
963:
960:
957:
954:
953:
950:
947:
945:
941:
938:
935:
934:
931:
928:
926:
922:
919:
918:
915:
912:
909:
906:
905:
902:
899:
897:
894:
891:
890:
886:
884:
880:
877:
876:
872:
870:
866:
863:
862:
858:
856:
852:
849:
848:
844:
842:
838:
835:
834:
831:
828:
826:
822:
819:
818:
815:
812:
809:
806:
805:
802:
799:
796:
793:
792:
789:
786:
784:
781:
778:
777:
774:
771:
769:
766:
763:
762:
759:
756:
754:
751:
748:
747:
744:
743:Islander AL.1
741:
738:
735:
734:
730:
727:
724:
721:
720:
717:
714:
712:
709:
706:
705:
701:
698:
696:
692:
689:
688:
684:
681:
678:
675:
674:
671:
668:example with
667:
664:
661:
660:
654:
649:Role prefixes
648:
646:
644:
640:
636:
632:
628:
624:
620:
616:
608:
604:
600:
597:
593:
589:
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581:
578:
574:
570:
566:
562:
558:
554:
551:
547:
543:
539:
535:
531:
527:
523:
519:
515:
511:
508:
504:
500:
499:Fairey Fulmar
496:
492:
491:Hawker Nimrod
488:
484:
480:
476:
472:
468:
464:
460:
459:Fairey Gannet
456:
455:Blackburn Roc
452:
448:
445:
441:
437:
433:
429:
425:
421:
418:
415:
411:
410:Fleet Air Arm
407:
403:
399:
395:
391:
387:
383:
380:
376:
372:
368:
364:
360:
356:
352:
348:
344:
341:Aircraft for
340:
337:
333:
329:
325:
321:
317:
313:
309:
305:
301:
298:
294:
290:
286:
283:
280:
276:
272:
268:
264:
260:
256:
252:
248:
247:Heavy bombers
245:
242:
238:
234:
230:
226:
222:
218:
214:
210:
206:
202:
199:
198:
197:
195:
191:
183:
181:
179:
175:
171:
167:
166:Fairey Battle
163:
159:
154:
152:
148:
144:
140:
136:
132:
127:
125:
121:
117:
113:
109:
104:
98:
96:
94:
89:
87:
83:
79:
75:
71:
67:
66:Sikorsky S-58
63:
59:
54:
52:
51:United States
48:
44:
40:
36:
31:
29:
25:
21:
16:Aircraft type
2778:appointments
2609:RAF Regiment
2595:branches and
2525:Glider units
2391:
2380:
2369:
2360:
2322:
2318:
2309:
2300:
2291:
2280:
2275:
2263:. Retrieved
2259:the original
2250:
2241:
2229:. Retrieved
2225:the original
2216:
2207:
2198:
2175:
2169:
2157:. Retrieved
2149:
2139:
2127:. Retrieved
2118:
2105:
2098:
2093:
2080:
2071:
2048:
2024:
1926:
1898:
1882:British Army
1879:
1865:
1846:
1823:
1795:
1792:
1779:
1774:
1763:
1755:
1745:
1743:
1738:
1734:
1720:
1684:
1681:Mark numbers
1659:Hercules W.2
1493:Sentinel R.1
1450:Nimrod MRA.4
1376:TriStar KC.1
1334:Griffin HT.1
1327:helicopter,
1311:helicopter,
1295:helicopter,
1279:helicopter,
1247:helicopter,
1238:Chinook HC.2
1231:helicopter,
1217:helicopter,
1201:helicopter,
1192:Master GT.II
1177:Harrier GR.9
1099:Hunter FGA.9
1086:Phantom FG.1
965:Shelduck D.1
930:Gannet COD.4
914:BAe 125 CC.3
901:Hercules C.4
758:Auster AOP.9
739:army liaison
716:Sentry AEW.1
652:
612:
603:Vickers VC10
573:Avro Lincoln
320:Henry Hudson
312:George Anson
285:Flying boats
261:. Likewise
229:Vickers Vimy
201:Alliteration
190:Air Ministry
187:
155:
134:
128:
105:
102:
90:
55:
47:mark numbers
32:
19:
18:
2754:Other ranks
2520:Ferry units
2398:, England:
1782:RAF Voyager
1731:target tugs
1721:During the
1712:carburettor
1691:mark number
1668:description
1644:Meteor U.15
1540:Victor SR.2
1434:Nimrod MR.2
1286:Merlin HM.1
1050:all-weather
1023:Typhoon F.2
825:interdictor
773:Gannet AS.1
665:description
635:Avro Vulcan
623:jet-engined
302:Land-based
289:Saro London
139:Rolls-Royce
2947:Categories
2899:RAF Museum
2674:Operations
2639:RAF Police
2597:components
2530:Misc units
2464:formations
2265:6 December
2251:RAF.MoD.uk
2231:6 December
2217:RAF.MoD.uk
2055:RAF Museum
2040:References
1628:Cadet TX.3
1607:target tug
1465:Venom NF.2
1302:Lynx HMA.8
1203:air rescue
1187:glider tug
1079:fighter /
1032:fighter /
881:bomber /
814:Vulcan B.2
728:helicopter
627:swept wing
557:Avro Anson
390:Lend-Lease
308:Avro Anson
2742:personnel
2704:equipment
2577:Squadrons
2495:Squadrons
2466:and units
2339:0002-2667
1904:Avro 549A
1853:Prototype
1826:full stop
1714:from the
1621:training
1369:tanker /
1048:fighter,
940:transport
896:transport
853:bomber /
839:bomber /
643:V bombers
615:V bombers
402:U.S. Navy
310:(Admiral
267:Avro York
194:Admiralty
147:geography
124:shellfish
120:mythology
93:Admiralty
41:types in
2917:timeline
2841:Roundels
2565:Regiment
2539:stations
2480:Commands
2385:: 48–52.
2374:: 52–55.
2159:21 March
2129:21 March
2123:Archived
2086:geodesic
1935:See also
1819:Sea King
1750:nacelles
1568:Hawk T.1
1563:training
1444:maritime
1428:maritime
1360:VC10 K.4
1329:training
1281:maritime
864:B PR(K)
680:airborne
577:Spitfire
430:, while
70:Jaguar B
39:aircraft
24:aircraft
2932:commons
2912:history
2846:Uniform
2716:current
2582:Flights
2500:Flights
1704:fighter
1580:fighter
1578:torpedo
1019:fighter
823:bomber
596:Tempest
592:Tornado
588:Typhoon
534:Cornell
530:Harvard
432:Seafire
347:gliders
330:), and
233:Bourges
168:(after
143:zoology
43:British
2922:future
2831:Ensign
2721:future
2551:Former
2546:Active
2485:Groups
2406:
2396:London
2337:
2186:
2097:Brew,
1862:bomber
1809:, the
1700:engine
1665:prefix
1623:glider
1517:strike
1356:tanker
1313:rescue
1132:strike
1034:attack
936:C(PR)
878:B(SR)
869:tanker
850:B(PR)
841:tanker
810:bomber
702:ABR.1
662:prefix
637:, and
594:, and
548:, and
524:, and
481:, and
469:, and
457:, and
377:, and
375:Saxons
371:Angles
361:, and
295:, and
277:, and
257:, and
237:Amiens
82:WAH-64
2836:Badge
2572:Wings
2490:Wings
2473:units
2115:(PDF)
2016:Notes
1638:drone
1371:cargo
1233:cargo
959:drone
836:B(K)
820:B(I)
794:ASaC
641:(the
379:Jutes
184:Names
78:AW139
74:WS-61
2404:ISBN
2335:ISSN
2267:2010
2233:2010
2184:ISBN
2161:2024
2131:2024
2028:The
1815:Lynx
1803:mark
1775:Sea-
1739:Sea-
1693:, a
1673:mark
1440:MRA
1408:Met
1292:HMA
1244:HCC
1214:HAS
1198:HAR
1127:FRS
1105:FGR
1092:FGA
1045:FAW
1001:ECM
920:COD
779:ASR
749:AOP
726:army
707:AEW
690:ABR
670:mark
532:and
489:and
442:and
426:and
396:and
345:and
241:Vimy
239:and
227:and
164:and
2327:doi
1884:'s
1851:.
1618:TX
1603:TT
1590:TR
1574:TF
1546:ST
1533:SR
1499:RG
1471:PR
1456:NF
1424:MR
1395:LF
1366:KC
1340:HU
1324:HT
1308:HR
1276:HM
1260:HF
1228:HC
1183:GT
1170:GR
1154:GR
1143:GA
1116:FR
1076:FG
1061:FB
1029:FA
971:DW
907:CC
764:AS
736:AL
722:AH
645:).
605:or
559:or
322:),
314:),
192:or
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2060:^
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1634:U
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1486:R
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1353:K
1016:F
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892:C
807:B
676:A
633:,
625:,
590:,
586:,
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