Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!att!cbnews!military From: lang@hpfcso.fc.hp.com (John J. Lang) Newsgroups: sci.military Subject: Re: USAF F- Planes Message-ID: <1990Jul31.023112.20171@cbnews.att.com> Date: 31 Jul 90 02:31:12 GMT Sender: military@cbnews.att.com (William B. Thacker) Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Lines: 35 Approved: military@att.att.com Full-Name: John J. Lang From: John J. Lang > Here is what i've been able to assemble to try and complete the USAF F- series > listing. > Grumman F-6F Hellcat > Vought F-8F Bearcat > Grumman F-9F Panther > Grumman F-14D Tomcat > MD F-18 Hornet I don't know if this concerns you, but the Hellcat, Bearcat, etc. are Navy Planes. If you want to list all US planes (Air Force or otherwise) you should also include the F-4U Wildcat. You should also realize that the number system for the Navy and Air Force (and Army Air Corps) were originally different. The Air Force numbered it's planes consecutively, the Navy numbered them consecutively by the contractor. Thus the F-6F was the 6th plane built by Grumman for the Navy. I think the F-4 was the first plane that had a common designation from both the Air Force and Navy. If you really wish to have a list of the USAF planes in series you should start with the P planes (P38, P39, ...). The F86 Saber was first designated the P86, and then the Air Force changed from P designation to F (as the Navy had always done). John Lang lang@hpfccrl.fc.hp.com Sources: Most if this is from memory. The format for the WWII Navy number scheme was told to my by my father, who was a Navy pilot. The 'name' change for the Saber I heard on the Wings series, and could have been P84 to F84.