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

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)

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

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

Type I: Pursuit, water-cooled

* 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

* PN-1 – Curtiss

Type III: Pursuit, air-cooled

* PA-1 – Loening

Type IV: Pursuit, ground attack, 1922

* PG-1 – Aeromarine

Type V: Two-seat pursuit

* TP-1 – Engineering Division

Type VI: Ground attack, 1920–1922

* GA-1 – Boeing
* GA-2 – Boeing

Type VII: Infantry liaison

* IL-1 – Orenco

Type VIII: Night observation

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

Type IX: Artillery observation

* AO-1 – Atlantic

Type X: Corps observation

* 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

* DB-1 – Gallaudet

Type XII: Night bombardment, short range

* NBS-1 – Martin
* NBS-2 – Lowe-Willard-Fowler
* NBS-3 – Elias
* NBS-4 – Curtiss

Type XIII: Night bombardment, long range

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

Type XIV: Trainer, air-cooled

* 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

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

Ambulance, 1919–1924

* A-1 – Cox-Klemin
* A-2 – Fokker

Messenger

* M-1 – Engineering Division/ Sperry

Pursuit, special

* PS-1 – Dayton-Wright

Racer

* 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

* S-1 – Loening

Transport

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

Lighter-than-air craft

* 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.
* RN-1 — designated "Zodiac", this was a semi-rigid dirigible, 262.5 feet long with a 360,000 cubic foot buoyancy volume.

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

Amphibian

OA: Observation Amphibian (1925–1948)

* 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)

* 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

A: Attack (1924–1948)

* ''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-21 – Stearman
* A-22 – Martin
* A-23 Baltimore – Martin
* A-24 Banshee – Douglas (redesignated F-24 in 1948)
* A-25 Shrike – Curtiss
* A-26 Invader – Douglas (redesignated B-26 in 1948)
* A-27 – North American
* A-28 Hudson – Lockheed
* A-29 Hudson – Lockheed
* A-30 – Martin (designation issued for Lend-lease production)
* A-31 Vengeance – Vultee
* A-32 – Brewster
* A-33 – Douglas
* A-34 – Brewster (designation issued for Lend-lease production)
* A-35 Vengeance – Vultee
* A-36 – North American
* A-37 – Hughes (unofficial designation created for contract purposes)
* A-38 Grizzly – Beechcraft
* A-39 – Kaiser-Fleetwings (not built)
* A-40 – Curtiss (not built)
* A-41 – Vultee
* A-42 Mixmaster – Douglas (not built)
* A-43 Blackhawk – Curtiss-Wright (not built)
* A-44 – Convair (not built)
* A-45 – Martin (redesignated B-51 in 1948)

Bomber

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)

* 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)

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

HB: Heavy Bomber (1924–1926)

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

B: Bomber (1926–1962)

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

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

=
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)

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
* BLR-2 – Douglas
* BLR-3 – Sikorsky (not built)

Cargo

C: Cargo (1924–1962)

* 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
* 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-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-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
** 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
* 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
* 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

Aerial Target

= GL: Target Glider (1922–1935)

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

= A: Aerial Target (1940–1941)

=
* 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)

=
* 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)

=

* ''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)

* 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

CQ: Target Control (1942–1948)

* CQ-1 – Fletcher
* CQ-2 – Stinson
* CQ-3 Expeditor – Beechcraft
* CQ-4 Flying Fortress – Boeing

Q: Drone (1948–1962)

* 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

S: Supersonic/Special Test (1946–1948)

The USAF extablished 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: Experimental (1948–1962)

Below is a list of "X-planes" designated before 1962. For a list of X-planes designated after 1962, see #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

P: Pursuit (1924-1948)

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 numbers were retained.

* 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
* 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-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
* P-87 Blackhawk – Curtiss
* P-88 Voodoo – McDonnell
* P-89 Scorpion – Northrop
* P-90 – Lockheed
* P-91 Thunderceptor – Republic
* P-92 – Convair

= Non-sequential

=
* 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)

* F-38 Lightning – Lockheed (redesignated from P-38)
* F-39 Airacobra – Bell (redesignated from P-39)
* F-40 Warhawk – Curtiss (redesignated from P-40)
* F-47 Thunderbolt – Republic (redesignated from P-47)
* F-51 Mustang – North American (redesignated from P-51)
* F-61 Black Widow – Northrop (redesignated from P-61)
** RF-61C Reporter – Northrop (redesignated from F-15)
* F-63 Kingcobra – Bell (redesignated from P-63)
* F-80 Shooting Star – Lockheed (redesignated from P-80)
* F-81 – Convair (redesignated from P-81)
* F-82 Twin Mustang – North American (redesignated from P-82)
* F-83 – Bell (redesignated from P-83)
* F-84 Thunderjet – Republic (redesignated from P-84)
** F-84F Thunderstreak – Republic (redesignated from F-96)
** F-84H Thunderscreech – Republic
* F-85 Goblin – McDonnell (redesignated from P-85)
* F-86 Sabre – North American (redesignated from P-86)
** F-86C Sabre – North American (redesignated F-93)
** F-86D/G/K/L Sabre – North American (redesignated from F-95)
* F-87 Blackhawk – Curtiss (redesignated from P-87)
* F-88 Voodoo – McDonnell (redesignated from P-88)
* F-89 Scorpion – Northrop (redesignated from P-89)
* F-90 – Lockheed (redesignated from P-90)
* F-91 Thunderceptor – Republic (redesignated from P-91)
* F-92 – Convair (redesignated from P-92)
* F-93 – North American (redesignated from F-86C)
* F-94 Starfire – Lockheed
* F-95 – North American (redesignated F-86D)
* F-96 – Republic (redesignated F-84F)
* F-97 Starfire – Lockheed (redesignated F-94C)
* F-98 Falcon – Hughes
* F-99 BOMARC – Boeing
* F-100 Super Sabre – North American
** F-100B Super Sabre – North American (redesignated F-107)
* F-101 Voodoo – McDonnell
* F-102 Delta Dagger – Convair
** F-102B Delta Dagger – Convair (redesignated 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 F-84H)
* F-106 Delta Dart – Convair (conflicting designation, assigned after the original F-106 was redesignated) (redesignated from F-102B)
* F-107 – North American (redesignated from F-100B)
* F-108 Rapier – North American (not built)
* ''F-109'' – designation was reserved for the F-101B and Bell D-188A, but never officially assigned
* F-110 Spectre – McDonnell Douglas (redesignated F-4 in 1962)
* F-111 Aardvark – General Dynamics
** F-111B Aardvark – General Dynamics/Grumman
** EF-111A Raven – General Dynamics/Grumman
** AFTI/F-111A Aardvark – General Dynamics/Boeing
* Unofficial designations YF-112 and up were later assigned to black projects.

= Non-sequential

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

FM: Fighter, Multiplace

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

PB: Pursuit, Biplace

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

Glider

AG: Assault Glider (1942–1944)

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

BG: Bomb Glider (1942–1944)

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

CG: Cargo Glider (1941–1948)

* CG-1 – Frankfort (not built)
* CG-2 – Frankfort (not built)
* CG-3 – Waco
* CG-4 Hadrian – Waco
* St. Louis CG-5, CG-5 – St. Louis Aircraft Corporation, St. Louis
* St. Louis CG-5, CG-6 – St. Louis (not built)
* Bowlus CG-7, CG-7 – Bowlus Sailplanes, Bowlus
* Bowlus CG-8, CG-8 – Bowlus
* AGA Aviation CG-9, CG-9 – Pitcairn Aircraft Company, AGA Aviation
* Laister-Kauffman CG-10, CG-10 Trojan Horse – Laister-Kauffman
* Snead CG-11, CG-11 – Snead (company), Snead (not built)
* Read-York CG-12, CG-12 – Read-York
* Waco CG-13, CG-13 – Waco
* Chase YCG-14, CG-14 – Chase
* Waco CG-15, CG-15 Hadrian – Waco
* General Airborne Transport XCG-16, CG-16 – General Airborne Transport
* Douglas XCG-17, CG-17 – Douglas
* Chase YC-122 Avitruc, CG-18 – Chase
* Douglas CG-19, CG-19 – Douglas (not built)
* Chase XCG-20, CG-20 – Chase

FG: Fuel Glider (1930–1948)

* Cornelius XFG-1, FG-1 – Cornelius

PG: Powered Glider (1943–1948)

* Waco CG-4, PG-1 – Northwestern Aeronautical Corporation, Northwestern
* Waco CG-4, PG-2 – Ridgefield Manufacturing Company, Ridgefield (redesignated G-2 in 1948)
* Waco CG-15, PG-3 – Waco (redesignated G-3 in 1948)

TG: Training Glider (1941–1948)

* Frankfort Cinema, TG-1 – Frankfort
* Schweizer SGS 2-8, TG-2 – Schweizer Aircraft, Schweizer
* Schweizer SGS 2-12, TG-3 – Schweizer
* Laister-Kauffman TG-4, TG-4 – Laister-Kauffman
* Aeronca L-3, TG-5 Grasshopper – Aeronca Aircraft, Aeronca
* Taylorcraft L-2, TG-6 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
* Warsztaty Szybowcowe Orlik, TG-7 Orlik – Warsztaty Szybowcowe
* Piper J-3 Cub, TG-8 Grasshopper – Piper
* Briegleb BG-6, TG-9 – Sailplane Corporation of America
* Wichita Engineering TG-10, TG-10 – Wichita Engineering (not built)
* Göppingen Gö 3, TG-11 – Schempp-Hirth
* Bowlus TG-12, TG-12 – Bowlus Sailplanes, Bowlus (not built)
* Briegleb BG-08, TG-13 – Sailplane Corporation of America
* Schneider Grunau Baby, TG-14 – Herman J. Stiglmeier, Stiglmeier
* Franklin PS-2, TG-15 – Franklin Glider Corporation, Franklin
* Schultz ABC, TG-16 – Arthur B. Schultz, Schultz
* Franklin PS-2, TG-17 – Franklin
* Midwest MU-1, TG-18 – Midwest Sailplane
* DFS Rhönsperber, TG-19 – Deutsche Forschungsanstalt für Segelflug, DFS
* Göppingen Gö 1, TG-20 – Schempp-Hirth
* Notre Dame TG-21, TG-21 – University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame
* Mehlhose TG-22, TG-22 – Mehlhose
* Harper-Corcoran TG-23, TG-23 – Harper-Corcoran
* Hütter Hü 17, TG-24 – Schempp-Hirth
* Wolcott TG-25 Plover, TG-25 Plover – Wolcott
* Universal TG-26, TG-26 – Universal
* Schneider Grunau Baby, TG-27 – Edmund Schneider, Schneider
* TG-28 Hawk Junior – Haller
* Volmer Jensen TG-29, TG-29 – Volmer Jensen
* TG-30 Bluebird – Smith
* Aero Industries TG-31, TG-31 – Aero Industries Technical Institute, Aero Industries
* Pratt-Read TG-32, TG-32 – Pratt-Read
* Aeronca L-3, TG-33 – Aeronca

G: Glider (1948–1955)

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

* Waco CG-4, G-2 – Ridgefield Manufacturing Company, Ridgefield (redesignated from PG-2)
* Waco CG-15, G-3 – Waco (redesignated from PG-3)
* Waco CG-4, G-4 Hadrian – Waco (redesignated from CG-4)
* Laister-Kauffman CG-10, G-10 Trojan Horse – Laister-Kauffman (redesignated from CG-10)
* Waco CG-13, G-13 – Waco (redesignated from CG-13)
* Chase YCG-14, G-14 – Chase (redesignated from CG-14)
* Waco CG-15, G-15 Hadrian – Waco (redesignated from CG-15)
* Chase YC-122 Avitruc, G-18 – Chase (redesignated from CG-18)
* Chase XCG-20, G-20 – Chase (redesignated from CG-20)

S: Sailplane (1960–1962)

* Schweizer S-1, S-1 – Schweizer Aircraft, Schweizer
* Schweizer S-2, S-2 – Schweizer

Liaison

L: Liaison (1942–1962)

* Stinson L-1 Vigilant, L-1 Vigilant – Stinson (redesignated from O-49 in 1942)
* Taylorcraft L-2, L-2 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft (redesignated from O-57 in 1942)
* Aeronca L-3, L-3 Grasshopper – Aeronca Aircraft, Aeronca (redesignated from O-58 in 1942)
* Piper J-3 Cub, L-4 Grasshopper – Piper (redesignated from O-59 and C-83A in 1942)
** Piper J-5, L-4F/G Grasshopper – Piper (redesignated from C-83 in 1942)
* Stinson L-5 Sentinel, L-5 Sentinel – Stinson (redesignated from O-62 in 1942)
* Interstate Cadet, L-6 Grasshopper – Interstate (redesignated from O-63 in 1942)
* Monocoupe 90, L-7 – Universal Molded Products Corp., Universal
* Interstate Cadet, L-8 Cadet – Interstate
* Stinson Voyager, L-9 – Stinson (redesignated from AT-19 in 1942)
* Ryan S-C, L-10 – Ryan
* Bellanca 31-40, L-11 – Bellanca
* Stinson Reliant, L-12 Reliant – Stinson
* Stinson L-13, L-13 – Stinson/Convair
* Piper J-5, L-14 Cub – Piper
* Boeing L-15 Scout, L-15 Scout – Boeing
* Aeronca L-16, L-16 Champion – Aeronca
* Ryan Navion, L-17 Navion – North American/Ryan
* Piper PA-18 Super Cub, L-18 Super Cub – Piper
* Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, L-19 Bird Dog – Cessna (redesignated O-1 in 1962)
* De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, L-20 Beaver – de Havilland Canada
* Piper PA-18 Super Cub, L-21 Super Cub – Piper
* Ryan Navion, L-22 Navion – Ryan
* Beechcraft L-23 Seminole, L-23 Seminole – Beechcraft
* Helio Courier, L-24 Courier – Helio Aircraft Company, Helio
* McDonnell XV-1, L-25 – McDonnell (redesignated to H-35)
* Aero Commander 500 family, L-26 Commander – Aero Commander, Aero Design
* Cessna 310, L-27 – Cessna
* Helio Courier, L-28 Super Courier – Helio

Observation

O: Observation (1924–1942)

* Curtiss Falcon, O-1 Falcon – Curtiss
* Douglas O-2, O-2 – Douglas
* Dayton-Wright XO-3, O-3 Mohawk – Dayton-Wright Company, Dayton-Wright
* Martin XO-4, O-4 – Martin (not built)
* Douglas World Cruiser, O-5 – Douglas
* Douglas O-2, O-6 – Thomas-Morse
* Douglas O-2, O-7 – Douglas
* Douglas O-2, O-8 – Douglas
* Douglas O-2, O-9 – Douglas
* Loening OL, O-10 – Loening
* Curtiss Falcon, O-11 Falcon – Curtiss
* Curtiss Falcon, O-12 Falcon – Curtiss
* Curtiss Falcon, O-13 Falcon – Curtiss
* Douglas O-2, O-14 – Douglas
* Keystone XO-15, O-15 – Keystone
* Curtiss Falcon, O-16 Falcon – Curtiss
* Consolidated O-17 Courier, O-17 Courier – Consolidated
* Curtiss Falcon, O-18 Falcon – Curtiss
* Thomas-Morse O-19, O-19 – Thomas-Morse
* Thomas-Morse O-19, O-20 – Thomas-Morse
* Thomas-Morse O-19, O-21 – Thomas-Morse
* Douglas O-2, O-22 – Douglas
* Thomas-Morse O-19, O-23 – Thomas-Morse
* Curtiss O-24, O-24 – Curtiss (not built)
* Douglas O-2, O-25 – Douglas
* Curtiss Falcon, O-26 – Curtiss
* Fokker XB-8, O-27 – Fokker
* Vought O2U Corsair, O-28 Corsair – Vought
* Douglas O-2, O-29 – Douglas
* Curtiss XO-30, O-30 – Curtiss (not built)
* Douglas O-31, O-31 – Douglas
* Douglas O-2, O-32 – Douglas
* Thomas-Morse O-19, O-33 – Thomas-Morse
* Douglas O-2, O-34 – Douglas
* Douglas Y1B-7, O-35 – Douglas
* Douglas Y1B-7, O-36 – Douglas
* Loening OL, O-37 – Keystone (not built)
* Douglas O-38, O-38 – Douglas
* Curtiss Falcon, O-39 Falcon – Curtiss
* Curtiss O-40 Raven, O-40 Raven – Curtiss
* Thomas-Morse O-19, O-41 – Thomas-Morse
* Thomas-Morse O-19, O-42 – Thomas-Morse
* Douglas O-43, O-43 – Douglas
* Douglas YOA-5, O-44 – Douglas
* Martin B-10, O-45 – Martin (not built)
* Douglas O-46, O-46 – Douglas
* North American O-47, O-47 – North American
* Douglas O-46, O-48 – Douglas (not built)
* Stinson L-1 Vigilant, O-49 Vigilant – Stinson
* Bellanca YO-50, O-50 – Bellanca
* Ryan YO-51 Dragonfly, O-51 Dragonfly – Ryan
* Curtiss O-52 Owl, O-52 Owl – Curtiss
* Douglas A-20 Havoc, O-53 Havoc – Douglas (not built)
* Stinson Voyager, O-54 – Stinson
* ERCO Ercoupe, O-55 – ERCO
* Lockheed Ventura, O-56 Ventura – Lockheed
* Taylorcraft L-2, O-57 Grasshopper – Taylorcraft
* Aeronca L-3, O-58 Grasshopper – Aeronca Aircraft, Aeronca
* Piper J-3 Cub, O-59 Grasshopper – Piper
* Kellett KD-1, O-60 – Kellett Autogiro Corporation, Kellett
* Pitcairn XO-61, O-61 – Pitcairn Aircraft Company, Pitcairn
* Stinson L-5 Sentinel, O-62 Sentinel – Stinson
* Interstate Cadet, O-63 Grasshopper – Interstate

Reconnaissance

F: Photographic Reconnaissance (1930–1948)

* Fairchild 71, F-1 – Fairchild
* Beechcraft Model 18, F-2 Expeditor – Beechcraft
* Douglas A-20 Havoc, F-3 Havoc – Douglas
* Lockheed P-38 Lightning, F-4 Lightning – Lockheed
* Lockheed P-38 Lightning, F-5 Lightning – Lockheed
* North American P-51 Mustang, F-6 Mustang – North American
* Consolidated B-24 Liberator, F-7 Liberator – Consolidated
* De Havilland Mosquito, F-8 Mosquito – de Havilland
* List of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress variants, F-9 Flying Fortress – Boeing
* North American B-25 Mitchell, F-10 Mitchell – North American
* Hughes XF-11, F-11 – Hughes
* Republic XF-12 Rainbow, F-12 Rainbow – Republic
* Boeing B-29 Superfortress variants, F-13 Superfortress – Boeing
* Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, F-14 Shooting Star – Lockheed
* Northrop F-15 Reporter, F-15 Reporter – Northrop

R: Reconnaissance (1948–1962)

* Hughes XF-11, R-11 – Hughes (redesignated from F-11)
* Republic XF-12 Rainbow, R-12 Rainbow – Republic (redesignated from F-12)
* Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, R-16 Stratofortress – BoeingAndrade 1979, p. 162

RS: Reconnaissance/Strike (1960–1962)

Both of the following aircraft are numbered in the ''B-'' (bomber) sequence.
* North American XB-70 Valkyrie, RS-70 Valkyrie – North American (not built)
* Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, RS-71 Blackbird – Lockheed

Rotorcraft

G: Gyroplane (1935–1939)

* Kellett KD-1, G-1 – Kellett Autogiro Corporation, Kellett
* Pitcairn PA-34, G-2 – Pitcairn Aircraft Company, Pitcairn

R: Rotary wing (1941–1948)

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.

* Platt-LePage XR-1, R-1 – Platt-LePage Aircraft Company, Platt-LePage
* Kellett KD-1, R-2 – Kellett Autogiro Corporation, Kellett
* Kellett KD-1, R-3 – Kellett
* Sikorsky R-4, R-4 Hoverfly – Sikorsky
* Sikorsky H-5, R-5 Dragonfly – Sikorsky
* Sikorsky R-6, R-6 Hoverfly II – Sikorsky
* Sikorsky R-6, R-7 – Sikorsky (not built)
* Kellett XR-8, R-8 – Kellett
* Firestone XR-9, R-9 – Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Firestone
* Kellett XR-10, R-10 – Kellett
* Rotorcraft XR-11, R-11 – Rotorcraft Corporation, Rotorcraft
* Bell H-12, R-12 – Bell
* Bell H-13 Sioux, R-13 Sioux – Bell
* Firestone XR-14, R-14 – Firestone (not built)
* Bell XH-15, R-15 – Bell
* Piasecki H-16 Transporter, R-16 – Piasecki Helicopter, Piasecki

H: Helicopter (1948–1962)

* Sikorsky H-5, H-5 Dragonfly – Sikorsky (redesignated from R-5)
* Sikorsky R-6, H-6 Hoverfly II – Sikorsky (redesignated from R-6)
* Firestone XR-9, H-9 – Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, Firestone (redesignated from R-9)
* Kellett XR-10, H-10 – Kellett Autogiro Corporation, Kellett (redesignated from R-10)
* Rotorcraft XR-11, H-11 – Rotorcraft Corporation, Rotorcraft (redesignated from R-11)
* Bell H-12, H-12 – Bell (redesignated from R-12)
* Bell H-13 Sioux, H-13 Sioux – Bell (redesignated from R-13)
* Firestone XR-14, H-14 – Firestone (redesignated from R-14, not built)
* Bell XH-15, H-15 – Bell (redesignated from R-15)
* Piasecki H-16 Transporter, H-16 – Piasecki Helicopter, Piasecki (redesignated from R-16)
* Hughes XH-17, H-17 – Hughes Helicopters, Hughes/Kellett
* Sikorsky S-52, H-18 – Sikorsky
* Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw, H-19 Chickasaw – Sikorsky
* McDonnell XH-20 Little Henry, H-20 Little Henry – McDonnell
* Piasecki H-21, H-21 Workhorse/Shawnee – Piasecki
* Kaman K-225, H-22 – Kaman Corporation, Kaman
* Hiller OH-23 Raven, H-23 Raven – Hiller
* Seibel S-4, H-24 – Seibel Helicopter, Seibel
* Piasecki HUP Retriever, H-25 Army Mule – Piasecki
* American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep, H-26 Jet Jeep – American Helicopter Company, American Helicopter
* Piasecki H-16 Transporter, H-27 Transporter – Piasecki (redesignated from H-16A)
* Hughes XH-17, H-28 – Hughes (not built)
* McDonnell XH-20 Little Henry, H-29 – McDonnell (not built)
* McCulloch MC-4, H-30 – McCulloch Aircraft Corporation, McCulloch
* Doman LZ-5, H-31 – Doman Helicopters, Doman
* Hiller YH-32 Hornet, H-32 Hornet – Hiller
* Bell XV-3, H-33 – Bell Textron, Bell
* Sikorsky H-34, H-34 Choctaw – Sikorsky
* McDonnell XV-1, H-35 – McDonnell (redesignated from L-25)
* ''H-36'' – reserved for secret project LONG EARS
* Sikorsky CH-37 Mojave, H-37 Mojave – Sikorsky
* ''H-38'' – reserved for secret project SHORT TAIL
* Sikorsky XH-39, H-39 – Sikorsky
* Bell UH-1 Iroquois, H-40 – Bell
* Cessna CH-1 Skyhook, H-41 Seneca – Cessna
* Hughes TH-55 Osage, H-42 – Hughes
* Kaman HH-43 Huskie, H-43 Huskie – Kaman
* ''H-44'' – reserved for secret project BIG TOM
* ''H-45'' – reserved for secret project STEP CHILD

Trainer

AT: Advanced Trainer (1925–1948)

* Huff-Daland TW-5, AT-1 – Huff-Daland
* Huff-Daland TW-5, AT-2 – Huff-Daland
* Boeing Model 15, AT-3 – Boeing
* Curtiss P-1 Hawk, AT-4 Hawk – Curtiss
* Curtiss P-1 Hawk, AT-5 Hawk – Curtiss
* North American T-6 Texan, AT-6 Texan – North American
* Beechcraft Model 18, AT-7 Navigator – Beechcraft
* Cessna AT-17 Bobcat, AT-8 Bobcat – Cessna
* Curtiss-Wright AT-9, AT-9 Jeep – Curtiss-Wright
* Beechcraft AT-10 Wichita, AT-10 Wichita – Beechcraft
* Beechcraft Model 18, AT-11 Kansan – Beechcraft
* Seversky P-35, AT-12 Guardsman – Republic
* Fairchild AT-21 Gunner, AT-13 Gunner – Fairchild
* Fairchild AT-21 Gunner, AT-14 Gunner – Fairchild
* Boeing XAT-15, AT-15 Crewmaker – Boeing
* North American T-6 Texan variants, AT-16 – Noorduyn
* Cessna AT-17 Bobcat, AT-17 Bobcat – Cessna
* Lockheed Hudson, AT-18 Hudson – Lockheed
* Stinson Reliant, AT-19 Reliant – Stinson
* Avro Anson, AT-20 Anson – Victory Aircraft, Federal
* Fairchild AT-21 Gunner, AT-21 Gunner – Fairchild
* Consolidated B-24 Liberator, AT-22 Liberator – Consolidated
* Martin B-26 Marauder, AT-23 Marauder – Martin
* North American B-25 Mitchell, AT-24 Mitchell – North American

BC: Basic Combat (1936–1940)

* North American T-6 Texan, BC-1 – North American
* North American T-6 Texan, BC-2 – North American
* Vultee BT-13 Valiant, BC-3 – Vultee

BT: Basic Trainer (1930–1948)

* Douglas O-2, BT-1 – Douglas
* Douglas O-2, BT-2 – Douglas
* Stearman Cloudboy, BT-3 – Stearman
* Curtiss Falcon, BT-4 – Curtiss
* Stearman Cloudboy, BT-5 – Stearman
* Consolidated PT-11, BT-6 – Consolidated
* Consolidated PT-11, BT-7 – Consolidated
* Seversky SEV-3, BT-8 – Seversky
* North American BT-9, BT-9 – North American
* North American BT-9, BT-10 – North American
* Aircraft Research BT-11, BT-11 – Aircraft Research Corporation, Aircraft Research (not built)
* Fleetwings BT-12 Sophomore, BT-12 – Fleetwings
* Vultee BT-13 Valiant, BT-13 Valiant – Vultee
* North American BT-9, BT-14 – North American
* Vultee BT-13 Valiant, BT-15 Valiant – Vultee
* Vultee BT-13 Valiant, BT-16 Valiant – Vultee
* Stearman XBT-17, BT-17 – Boeing-Stearman

PT: Primary Trainer (1925–1948)

* Consolidated PT-1 Trusty, PT-1 Trusty – Consolidated
* Consolidated PT-1 Trusty, PT-2 Trusty – Consolidated
* Consolidated PT-3, PT-3 Trusty – Consolidated
* Consolidated PT-3, PT-4 Trusty – Consolidated (not built)
* Consolidated PT-3, PT-5 Trusty – Consolidated
* Fleet Model 1, PT-6 – Consolidated
* Mohawk M-1-C, PT-7 Pinto – Mohawk Aircraft Corporation, Mohawk
* Consolidated O-17 Courier, PT-8 – Consolidated
* Stearman Cloudboy, PT-9 – Stearman
* Verville Sport Trainer AT, PT-10 – Verville Aircraft Company, Verville
* Consolidated PT-11, PT-11 – Consolidated
* Consolidated PT-11, PT-12 – Consolidated
* Boeing-Stearman Model 75, PT-13 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
* Waco F series, PT-14 – Waco
* St. Louis YPT-15, PT-15 – St. Louis Aircraft Corporation, St. Louis
* Ryan ST, PT-16 – Ryan
* Boeing-Stearman Model 75, PT-17 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
* Boeing-Stearman Model 75, PT-18 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman
* Fairchild PT-19, PT-19 Cornell – Fairchild
* Ryan ST, PT-20 – Ryan
* Ryan ST, PT-21 Recruit – Ryan
* Ryan PT-22 Recruit, PT-22 Recruit – Ryan
* Fairchild PT-19, PT-23 Cornell – Fairchild
* De Havilland Tiger Moth, PT-24 Tiger Moth – de HavillandOffice 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
. October 1980; reprinted February 1985
* Ryan ST, PT-25 – Ryan
* Fairchild PT-19, PT-26 Cornell – Fairchild
* Boeing-Stearman Model 75, PT-27 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman

T: Trainer (1948–1962)

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 #Continued original sequence (1962–present).

* North American T-6 Texan, T-6 Texan – North American (redesignated from AT-6)
* Beechcraft Model 18, T-7 Navigator – Beechcraft (redesignated from AT-7)
* Beechcraft Model 18, T-11 Kansan – Beechcraft (redesignated from AT-11)
* Vultee BT-13 Valiant, T-13 Valiant – Vultee (redesignated from BT-13)
* Boeing-Stearman Model 75, T-13 Kaydet – Stearman Aircraft, Boeing-Stearman (conflicting designation, redesignated from PT-13)
* Boeing-Stearman Model 75, T-17 Kaydet – Boeing-Stearman (redesignated from PT-17)
* Fairchild PT-19, T-19 Cornell – Fairchild (redesignated from PT-19)
* North American T-28 Trojan, T-28 Trojan – North American
* Convair C-131 Samaritan, T-29 Samaritan – Convair
* Douglas XT-30, T-30 – Douglas (not built)
* Fairchild XNQ, T-31 – Fairchild (not built)
* Convair C-131 Samaritan, T-32 Samaritan – Convair (not built)
* Lockheed T-33, T-33 Shooting Star – Lockheed
* Beechcraft T-34 Mentor, T-34 Mentor – Beechcraft
* Temco T-35 Buckaroo, T-35 Buckaroo – Temco Aircraft, Temco
* Beechcraft XT-36, T-36 – Beechcraft
* Cessna T-37 Tweet, T-37 Tweet – Cessna
* Northrop T-38 Talon, T-38 Talon – Northrop
* North American Sabreliner, T-39 Sabreliner – North American
* Lockheed JetStar, T-40 JetStar – Lockheed (not built)

See also

* List of U.S. DoD aircraft designations
* United States military aircraft serial numbers
* List of active United States military aircraft
* List of undesignated military aircraft of the United States
* List of United States Navy aircraft designations (pre-1962)
* List of United States Tri-Service aircraft designations
* United States military aircraft engine designations
* List of fighter aircraft
* List of maritime patrol aircraft
* List of airborne early warning aircraft
* List of tanker aircraft

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

* {{cite book , last=Andrade , first=John M. , title=U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials Since 1909 , publisher=Midland Counties Publications , year=1979 , isbn = 978-0-904597-22-6

External links

OrBat United States of America – MilAvia Press.com: Military Aviation Publications





Joe Baugher Homepage



National Museum of the USAF – Home

Brown-Shoe Navy: U.S. Naval Aviation

Uncommon Aircraft

Lists of military aircraft, United States Tri-Service, List of aircraft designations
United States military-related lists, Aircraft, Tri-Service