jem3@pyuxf.bellcore.com (John E McKillop) (08/19/90)
From: jem3@pyuxf.bellcore.com (John E McKillop) I have questions concerning the designations of RAF aircraft during and after WWII. 1. It appears that prior to the early '40s, RAF aircraft were given just a name and a mark number, e.g., Dakota Mk. IV. 2. Sometime in the mid '40s, some aircraft were also given a mission symbol, e.g., Dakota C Mk. IV. 3. Sometime in the mid '40s, the Roman numerial was changed to an Arabic numerial, e.g., Dakota C Mk. 4. Does anyone know when they changes occurred? Also, does anyone have a complete list of the mission symbols, e.g., S.T.; B, G.R.; FGR, etc.?
rdd@ukc.ac.uk (Rudnei Dias da Cunha) (08/23/90)
From: rdd@ukc.ac.uk (Rudnei Dias da Cunha) In article <1990Aug18.182938.25309@cbnews.att.com>, jem3@pyuxf.bellcore.com (John E McKillop) writes: >... > > 1. It appears that prior to the early '40s, RAF aircraft were given > just a name and a mark number, e.g., Dakota Mk. IV. > 2. Sometime in the mid '40s, some aircraft were also given a > mission symbol, e.g., Dakota C Mk. IV. > 3. Sometime in the mid '40s, the Roman numerial was changed to an > Arabic numerial, e.g., Dakota C Mk. 4. > > Does anyone know when they changes occurred? Also, does anyone have > a complete list of the mission symbols, e.g., S.T.; B, G.R.; FGR, > etc.? The RAF started using mission designations around 1942, as with the Spitfire HF MK.VIII (HF meaning high-altitude fighter). The change to an Arabic numeral happened around 1944, when the Mark numbers were beginning to be large, e.g., Mosquito FB Mk. XVIII. The designations are as follows: a. Fighters: F : fighter LF : low-altitude fighter HF : high-altitude fighter NF : night-fighter FB : fighter-bomber FG : fighter,ground-attack (as used by the Phantoms of the Royal Navy, then by RAF as FG.1) FGA : fighter,ground-attack (as used by the Hunters, RAF) FR : fighter-reconnaissance FGR : fighter,ground-attack,reconnaissance FRS : Fighter,reconnaissance,strike (as used by the Royal Navy) b. Photo-reconnaissance: PR c. Bombers: B : bomber B(I) : bomber, secondary mission : Intruder B(K) : bomber, secondary mission : Tanker GR : ground-attack,reconnaissance S : strike (as used by the Buccaneers, RAF) d. Tankers : K e. Cargo : C f. Helicopters: HAS : helicopter,anti-submarine HAR : helicopter,air-rescue HC : helicopter,cargo HT : helicopter,trainer g. Trainers : T Some combinations are possible, e.g. KC (tanker,cargo). Sorry if I missed some designation. Rudnei Dias da Cunha rdd@ukc.ac.uk Computing Lab, University of Kent at Canterbury
ntaib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Nur Iskandar Taib) (08/28/90)
From: ntaib@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (Nur Iskandar Taib) > The RAF started using mission designations around 1942, as with the >Spitfire HF MK.VIII (HF meaning high-altitude fighter). The change to >an Arabic numeral happened around 1944, when the Mark numbers were >beginning to be large, e.g., Mosquito FB Mk. XVIII. > FR : fighter-reconnaissance The prettiest Spitfire made was the FR Mk. XIV, used for armed, low level photo reconnaissance. It had a bubble canopy, and oblique cameras mounted just behind the pilot. It differed from the regular F. Mk.XIV, which had a regular Malcolm Hood. They were painted in the usual grey/green fighter camouflage instead of the deep blue of the high altitude, unarmed PR Spitfires. Does anyone know of any books dealing with the exploits of this particular airplane?
rdd@ukc.ac.uk (Rudnei Dias da Cunha) (08/30/90)
From: rdd@ukc.ac.uk (Rudnei Dias da Cunha)
Sorry, I've really missed some designations... I am including the full list.
Rudnei Dias da Cunha
rdd@ukc.ac.uk
Computing Lab, University of Kent at Canterbury
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British Aircraft Designations
=============================
a. Fighters:
F : fighter
LF : low-altitude fighter
HF : high-altitude fighter
NF : night-fighter
FB : fighter-bomber
FG : fighter,ground-attack (as used by the Phantoms of the Royal Navy,
then by RAF as FG.1)
FGA : fighter,ground-attack (as used by the Hunters, RAF)
FR : fighter-reconnaissance
FGR : fighter,ground-attack,reconnaissance
FRS : fighter,reconnaissance,strike (as used by the Royal Navy)
F(AW) : fighter,all-weather
b. Photo-reconnaissance: PR
c. Bombers:
B : bomber
B(I) : bomber, secondary mission : Intruder
B(K) : bomber, secondary mission : Tanker
GR : ground-attack,reconnaissance
S : strike (as used by the Buccaneers, RAF)
d. Tankers : K
e. Cargo : C
f. Helicopters:
HAS : helicopter,anti-submarine
HAR : helicopter,air-rescue
HC : helicopter,cargo
HT : helicopter,trainer
g. Trainers : T
h. Maritime-reconnaissance: MR
i. Airborne Early Warning: AEW
Some combinations are possible, for instance:
1. C-K : cargo with tanker capability, as in C1K (ex- BAC VC.10s)
2. C-P : cargo with in-flight refuelling probe fitted, as in Hercules C1P
3. MR-P: maritime-reconnaissance, with in-flight refuelling probe fitted,
as in Nimrod MR2P
4. B(K)P : bomber, secondary mission: tanker, with in-flight refuelling
probe fitted, as in Valiant B(K)P.1
5. GR-T : ground-attack, reconnaissance, with dual controls, as in
Tornado GR.1T
6. F-T : fighter, with dual controls, as in Tornado F.3T