List Of Air Ministry Specifications

Information about List Of Air Ministry Specifications

This is a partial list of the British Air Ministry (AM) specifications for aircraft. A specification started from an Operational Requirement, abbreviated "OR", describing what the aircraft would be used for - this in turn led to a specification e.g. a two engined fighter with 4 machine guns. So for example, OR.40 for a heavy bomber led to Specification B.12/36. Aircraft manufacturers would design and build aircraft which the Ministry then bought for evaluation by the RAF. On very rare occasions, a manufacturer would design and build an aircraft using their own money as a "Private Venture" (PV). This would then be offered to the Ministry for evaluation. If the aircraft generated interest in the Ministry or RAF due to performance or some other combination of features then the Ministry might well bring out a specification based on the Private Venture aircraft.

The system of producing aircraft to a specification ran from 1920 to 1949 during which the Air Ministry was replaced by first the Ministry of Aircraft Production (MAP) and then the Ministry of Supply (MoS). The system was applied to commercial aircraft as well - one of the last being the Bristol Brabazon. During the period, over 800 specifications were issued.

Specification designations

Each specification name usually followed a pattern. A leading letter was usually present to identify the aircraft purpose. The codes used included B for "heavy bomber", P for "medium bomber", F for "fighter" and A for "army co-operation". The second part was a number identifying it in sequence and then after the slash, the year it was formulated, so in the example given above, B.12/36 signifies the twelfth bomber specification issued in 1936. Specifications were not always issued in sequence.

Admiralty specifications were identified by the letter N (Naval) and experimental specifications identified by the letter E (Experimental), with training aircraft signified by the letter T (Training) and unpowered aircraft, i.e., gliders, signified by the letter X. The letter G (General) signified a general-purpose aircraft, with an M (Multi-role) being applied to aircraft intended for more than one specific purpose.

The letter C (Cargo) was applied to military transport aircraft, with the letter O (Observation) used for a naval reconnaissance aircraft - the letter S (Spotter) used for the more specialised role of naval spotting, i.e., observing and reporting back the fall of naval gunfire - and R (Reconnaissance) for a reconnaissance type - often a flying boat. Special purpose aircraft would be signified by a letter Q, this being used to specify aircraft such as target-tugs, radio-controlled target drones, etc.

Sometimes the purpose for which an aircraft is used in service would change from that for which the specification to which it was designed was issued, and so there are some discrepancies and inconsistencies in designation, the Royal Navy in particular liking to specify multiple roles for its aircraft in an attempt to make the best use of the necessarily limited hangar space onboard its aircraft carriers. In this case this resulted in several types designed to specifications originally intended to signify the naval Spotting role also being used for other purposes, e.g., S.15/33, resulting in the Blackburn Shark and Fairey Swordfish, the latter aircraft being primarily utilised as a torpedo bomber. Similarly S.24/37, which produced the Fairey Barracuda, again primarily designed for spotting, the dive bomber/torpedo bomber requirements being regarded as secondary when the specification was issued, but for which roles it was almost exclusively subsequently used, the original spotting requirement having been made obsolete with the introduction of radar.

In addition, some (mostly early) specifications appear to have no letter prefix at all, e.g., 1/21, the Vickers Virginia III.

List of specifications (incomplete)

The names of the aircraft shown in the table are not necessarily those they carried when provided for evaluation as at this point an aircraft would usually be referred-to as the Manufacturer X.XX/XX, e.g., the Avro B.35/46 - this is in addition to the manufacturer's own separate internal designation for the aircraft, e.g., Avro 698. With several manufacturers submitting designs to the same specification this could result in a number of different aircraft with the same X.XX/XX designation, e.g., Handley Page B.35/46, etc.

Upon acceptance of the design(s) the final service names would usually be chosen by the Air Ministry when they placed a production order, in the above B.35/46 cases, where two aircraft were accepted to this specification, Vulcan and Victor respectively.

Upon entering service, in the absence of any already-planned variants a new type would initially have no Mark Number after the aircraft name, being simply referred-to as the Manufacturer Service-name, e.g., the Avro Anson, however upon acceptance of a new variant the previous (initial) version automatically became the 'Mark I', so in the example given, the previous (first) version of the Anson retrospectively became the Avro Anson Mk I upon acceptance of an Avro Anson Mk II. Sometimes planned variants would be later cancelled leading to 'missing' Mark Numbers, or the extent of the changes may have justified given the new variant a completely new name, e.g., the Hawker Typhoon II subsequently becoming the Hawker Tempest, or the Avro Lancaster B.IV & B.V entering service as the Avro Lincoln. Typographical designation of Mark Numbers (Mk.) varied over time and inconsistencies are common, e.g., Mark II, Mk. II, II, etc. Initially Roman numerals were used, changing to Arabic numerals post-World War II, e.g., Supermarine Spitfire Mk I to Supermarine Spitfire Mk 24.



Note 1: where possible Mark Numbers are given here in this list in the form that was used at the time of acceptance. Variations may be encountered due to changes in format/typographical convention over time.

Note 2: due to mergers and amalgamations within the UK aircraft industry sometimes the name of the manufacturer changed over time, e.g., English Electric later became part of the British Aircraft Corporation (BAC), so the English Electric Lightning then became the BAC Lightning; the British Aircraft Corporation itself and Hawker Siddeley (HS) then later merged and became British Aerospace, subsequently becoming BAe (now BAE Systems). Thus the previously mentioned Avro Vulcan was subsequently referred-to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan; similarly, the Blackburn Buccaneer later became the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer. Where possible, for clarity the aircraft in this list are listed under the ORIGINATING company's name or the name of the manufacturer under which it first entered production.

Specifications within the tables are listed by year of issue and in numerical and alphabetical order. Specifications lacking a letter-prefix or where one is not currently known are listed first at the beginning of each year's entries before those with a letter-prefix.

1920-1929

Spec.ORTypeDesigns (accepted and tendered)
1/20NoneFirst spec. issued: spares carrierBristol Type 37 Tramp
2/20'Interim' single-engine heavy bomberAvro Aldershot, de Havilland Derby
3/20Single-seat deck-landing torpedo-carrier - Spec. superseded by 32/22 (q.v.)Blackburn Dart (modified), Handley Page H.P.19 Hanley
1/21Long-range bomber - Vimy replacementVickers Virginia III
2/21Experimental single-seat convertible biplane/monoplane fighter/interceptor/two seat reconnaissance-fighter aircraft - written for BullfinchBristol Bullfinch
3/21Naval Fleet spotter/reconnaissance aircraftAvro Bison
5/21Light day bomber - DH.9A replacementFairey Fawn
19/21Two-seat reconnaissance aircraft - Bristol Fighter replacementShort Springbok
3/22Two seat fighter/reconnaissance powered by a supercharged engine - Bristol Fighter replacementBristol Bloodhound
6/22Naval carrier fighter with interchangeable wheel & float undercarriages using Jaguar or Jupiter engine - Nightjar replacementFairey Flycatcher, Parnall Plover
7/22Army reconnaissance aircraftHawker Duiker
16/22Long range Torpedo Bomber to carry 21 inch torpedoBlackburn Cubaroo, Avro 557 Ava
21/22Twin-engined amphibian flying boat for civil operations - see also R.18/24Supermarine Swan
22/22Two seat fighter/reconnaissance powered by a supercharged engine - Bloodhound three aircraft order - revised from 3/22 (q.v.)Bristol Bloodhound
31/224-seat heavy night-bomberHandley Page Hyderabad
32/22Single-seat deck-landing torpedo-carrier - Spec. supersedes 3/20 (q.v.)Blackburn Dart II
37/22fleet reconnaissance biplaneHawker Hedgehog
38/22General Purpose seaplane/landplaneFairey IIID
41/22'Middle East type transport aeroplane' - civil airlinerArmstrong Whitworth Argosy, de Havilland Hercules
B.30/22Heavy bomber - written for Bugle II production order but Sidestrand also apparently designed to this spec.Boulton Paul Bugle II, Boulton Paul Sidestrand
16/23NoneSpotting ship-planeAvro Bison
21/23Fleet two-seat torpedo bomberAvro Buffalo, Blackburn Ripon, Handley Page H.P.31 Harrow
25/23Fleet two-seat torpedo bomber/bomberHandley Page H.P.25 Hendon
26/23Two-seat long-range day-bomberBristol Berkeley, Handley Page H.P.28 Handcross, Hawker Horsley, Westland Yeovil
4/24"Twin-Engined Home Defence Fighter" armed with two 37 mm cannonsWestland Westbury Bristol Bagshot
7/24'High Powered Single-Seater Fighter Landplane'Avro Avenger, Fairey Firefly, Fairey Fox, Gloster Gorcock, Hawker Hornbill
9/24Twin engine medium day-bomber - Sidestrand II production order - see also 25/27Boulton Paul Sidestrand II
13/24Patrol flying boatBlackburn Iris III, Short Singapore
15/244-seat heavy night-bomber - initial production batch of HyderabadsHandley Page Hyderabad I
16/24Submarine-borne reconnaissance seaplaneParnall Peto
19/24Three-seat Spotter/Reconnaissance (FAA) /two-seat GP (RAF) aircraft with interchangeable land & float U/C & folding wingsFairey IIIF
23/24Twin engine civil airlinerHandley Page H.P.32 Hamlet
27/24Twin engine single seat interceptorBoulton Paul Bittern
28/24Day and night fighter - Siskin replacementArmstrong Whitworth Starling
30/24Two-seat reconnaissance/army co-operation aircraftShort Chamois, Vickers Vespa
R.18/24Twin-engined amphibian flying boat - military version of boat ordered to 21/22Supermarine Southampton
17/25Naval single-seater fighter monoplaneAvro 584 Avocet, Vickers Vireo
20/25Army co-operation aeroplane - Bristol Fighter/DH.9A replacementArmstrong Whitworth Atlas, Bristol Boarhound
23/25Two-seat day-bomberGloster Goring, Handley Page H.P.34 Hare, Hawker Harrier, Westland Witch
24/25Torpedo-bomber - Horsely replacementVickers Vildebeest
12/26Fast two-seat day bomber of all-metal construction using Rolls-Royce F.XIB engineAvro Antelope, Hawker Hart, Fairey Fox II
14/26Passenger flying boatShort Calcutta
21/26Naval Fleet fighterParnall Pipit
F.9/26NoneDay and night 'zone' fighter - no design accepted and Spec. superseded by F.20/27 (q.v.)Armstrong Whitworth Starling II, Bristol Bulldog Mk.I, Bristol Bullpup, Gloster Goldfinch, Gloster SS.18, Hawker Hawfinch, Blackburn Turcock
N.21/26Naval Fleet fighterArmstrong Whitworth Starling II, Armstrong Whitworth AW XVI, Blackburn Turcock, Gloster Gnatsnapper, Hawker Hoopoe, Vickers Type 177
O.22/26Naval high-speed, two-seat, Fleet fighter/reconnaissanceBlackburn Nautilus, Fairey Fleetwing, Handley Page H.P.37F, Hawker Osprey, Short Gurnard
25/27Twin engine medium day-bomber - Sidestrand II production order - see also 9/24Boulton Paul Sidestrand II
26/27General purpose aircraft - D.H.9A replacementBristol Beaver, de Havilland Hound, Fairey Ferret, Gloster Goral, Vickers Valiant, Vickers Venture, Vickers Vixen, Westland Wapiti
33/27'Postal Aircraft' - experimental very-long range aeroplane for world distance-record attemptFairey Long-range Monoplane
B.19/27Twin engine night-bomber - Virginia/Hinaidi replacement - Hendon winner but introduction delayed so runner-up (Heyford) acceptedFairey Hendon, Handley Page Heyford, Vickers Type 150
B.22/27Three engine night-bomber - abandoned due to delays and replaced by B.19/27 (q.v.)Boulton Paul P.32, de Havilland D.H.72 Canberra
C.20/27Transport version of Hyderabad/Hinaidi - Chitral/CliveHandley Page Clive
F.20/27'Interception single-seat fighter'Armstrong Whitworth Starling II, Bristol Bulldog Mk.II, Fairey Firefly II, Hawker Fury, Vickers Jockey, Westland Interceptor
F.29/27[1]Fighter utilizing a 37 mm cannon from Coventry Ordnance WorksVickers Type 161, Westland C.O.W. Gun Fighter
R.5/27Reconnaissance flying boatBlackburn Sydney
21/28High-speed mailplane for Imperial AirwaysBoulton Paul P.64 Mailplane, Boulton Paul P.71A
C.16/28Bomber-transportGloster TC.33, Handley Page H.P.43
F.17/28Bulldog II production orderBristol Bulldog Mk.II
M.5/28Torpedo bomber - Spec superseded by M.1/30 (q.v.)Handley Page H.P.41
R.6/28Patrol/reconnaissance flying boatShort Sarafand
4/29ab initio trainer - Moth with Gypsy I orderde Havilland Moth
9/29Fast two-seat day bomber - Hart I production orderHawker Hart
13/294-seat heavy night-bomber - production batch of Hinaidi IIsHandley Page Hinaidi II
B.10/29Twin engine medium day-bomber - Sidestrand III production orderBoulton Paul Sidestrand III

1930-1939

Spec.ORTypeDesigns (accepted and tendered)
3/30Basic trainer - Avro 504N replacementAvro Type 621 Trainer
6/30ab initio trainer - Lynx-Avro (Avro 504N) production orderAvro 504N
8/30ab initio trainer - Moth with Gypsy II orderde Havilland Moth
9/30Two-seat carrier-borne torpedo bomber/three-seat Spotter-reconnaissance aircraftFairey T.S.R.I ;see also S.15/33
16/30Naval fighter - written for NimrodHawker Nimrod
18/30Fairey IIIF replacementFairey Gordon I
19/30Naval fighter/reconnaissance with folding wings and interchangeable wheel/float U/CHawker Osprey
F.7/30Fighter capable of at least 250 mph and armed with four machine gunsGloster Gladiator, Gloster SS.19, Hawker P.V.3, Supermarine Type 224, Westland F.7/30
M.1/30Torpedo bomber - Spec. supersedes M5/28 (q.v.)Blackburn M.1/30, Handley Page H.P.46, Vickers Type 207
13/31ab initio trainer with complete freedom for parachute escape by both occupants - D.H.60T accepted with modifications, becoming D.H.82 - see also T.23/31Avro Type 631 Cadet, de Havilland D.H. 60T Tiger Moth
18/31Basic trainer - Avro Type 621 Trainer with Lynx engineAvro Tutor
C.26/31OR.4Bomber-transport - Valentia replacementArmstrong Whitworth A.W.23, Bristol Bombay, Handley Page H.P.51. Vickers Type 230 - (not built)
G.4/31General-purpose/torpedo bomber - Wellesley one of two designs submitted by Vickers and itself a PVFairey G.4/31, Handley Page H.P.47, Hawker P.V.4, Parnall G.4/31, Vickers G.4/31, Vickers Wellesley, Westland PV-7
R.20/31Twin-engined flying boat - all-metal Kestrel-engined Southampton II (Southampton IV/Scapa)Supermarine Scapa
R.24/31General Purpose Open Sea Patrol Flying BoatSaunders Roe London, Short R.24/31 Knuckleduster, Supermarine Stranraer
T.23/31Tiger Moth I production orderde Havilland Tiger Moth I
25/32Basic trainer - revised-Tutor production orderAvro Tutor I
B.9/32OR.5Twin-engine medium day bomber with appreciably higher performance than predecessors - later revised to specify Goshawk power and subsequently re-revised with Goshawk requirement droppedVickers Crecy, Handley Page Hampden
B.23/32Twin-engine medium bomber - written for Heyford I production orderHandley Page Heyford Mk. I
P.27/32Light day bomber - Hart/Hind replacement - see P.23/35Armstrong Whitworth A.W.29, Fairey Battle
S.11/32Naval catapult observation/spotting seaplane for carriage on cruisersFairey Seafox
13/334-engined mail seaplane and 4-engine flying boat carrier - Short-Mayo CompositeShort S.20 Mercury, Short S.21 Maia
14/33Fairey Gordon II production orderFairey Gordon II
21/33Three-seat general purpose aircraft - improved VildebeestVickers Vincent
24/33Gloster Gauntlet production orderGloster Gauntlet
25/33Twin-engined troop and cargo transport - improved VictoriaVickers Valentia
B.29/33Twin engine medium day bomber with power-operated nose turretBoulton Paul Sidestrand V (Overstrand)
F.5/33Twin-engine two seat turret fighter - later cancelledArmstrong Whitworth A.W.34, Boulton Paul P.76, Bristol Type 140, Gloster F.5/33, Parnall F.5/33, Westland-Hill Pterodactyl Mk.V
G.23/33General purpose aeroplane - Hart for Middle EastHawker Hardy
R.1/33Patrol/reconnaissance flying boatWestland-Hill Pterodactyl Mk.VII
R.2/33Long-range patrol/reconnaissance flying boatShort Sunderland
R.3/33Long-range patrol/reconnaissance flying boat - trials order for Singapore IIIShort Singapore III
S.15/33Naval carrier-borne torpedo bomber/spotter/reconnaissance (TSR) - Fairey 9/30 (q.v.) design modified and re-submitted as T.S.R.IIBlackburn Shark, Fairey Swordfish
T.26/33Tiger Moth II production orderde Havilland Tiger Moth II
2/34High-altitude research aircraft capable of reaching 50,000 ftBristol Type 138A
16/34Three-seat general purpose aircraft - Vincent I production order including conversion of outstanding Vildebeests to VincentsVickers Vincent I
22/34Close-support aircraft - Audax for SAAFHawker Hartebees
24/34Basic trainer - production order for second batch of definitive Tutor design - see 3/30, 18/31 & 25/32Avro Tutor I
30/34Twin-engined troop and cargo transport - Valentia I production orderVickers Valentia I
32/34Navigation trainer - Prefect production orderAvro 626/Prefect
A.39/34Army Co-operation aircraftWestland Lysander
B.3/34Twin-engine night bomber & bomber/transport - Virginia, Heyford & Hendon replacement - transport requirement later removed after protests from manufacturersArmstrong Whitworth Whitley, Handley Page Harrow
B.20/34Twin-engine night bomber - Hendon production order to this spec - see also B.19/27Fairey Hendon
B.23/34Twin engine medium day bomber - Overstrand production orderBoulton Paul Overstrand
B.28/34Twin-engine medium bomber - written for Heyford II production orderHandley Page Heyford Mk. II
F.5/34High-performance fighter with air-cooled engine for overseas (hot climate) useBristol 146, Gloster G.38, Martin-Baker M.B.2, Vickers Type 279 Venom
F.36/34 (modified by F.5/34)Eight-gun fighter with Rolls-Royce PV-12 engineSupermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane
F.37/34Eight-gun fighter with Rolls-Royce PV-12 engine capable of 350 mph - see also F.36/34 & F.10/35Supermarine Spitfire
G.7/34Interim Hart day bomber replacementHawker Hind
O.27/34Naval dive bomberBlackburn Skua
P.4/34Light bomber and close air support aircraftFairey P.4/34, Hawker Henley
S.38/34Written for Swordfish production orderFairey Swordfish I
2/35Naval catapult-launched observation/spotting flying boat for carriage on cruisersSupermarine Walrus
13/35Naval torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance aircraft - written for Shark production orderBlackburn Shark
14/35Army Co-operation aircraft - Audax replacementHawker Hector
16/35Autogyro - written for Cierva C.30/Avro 671 Rota evaluation orderAvro Rota
18/35Twin-engined coastal reconnaissance landplane - written for AnsonAvro Anson
26/35Naval fighter/reconnaissance - Osprey IV production orderHawker Osprey IV
36/35Trans-Atlantic mail planede Havilland Albatross
39/35Twin-engine communications aircraft - Envoy with dorsal turret order for SAAFAirspeed Envoy
B.1/35OR.19Twin-engine medium bomberAirspeed A.S.29, Armstrong Whitworth A.W.39, Handley Page H.P.55, Vickers Warwick
B.21/35Twin-engine medium bomber - written for Whitley II production orderArmstrong Whitworth Whitley II
B.27/35Twin-engine medium bomber - written for Heyford III production orderHandley Page Heyford Mk. III
B.28/35Drawn up for Bristol 142MBristol Blenheim
B.29/35Written for Harrow intial production orderHandley Page Harrow
F.9/35Two-seat four-gun turret fighter - Demon replacementHawker Hotspur, Boulton Paul Defiant
F.10/35Drawn up for the Spitfire prototypeSupermarine Spitfire
F.14/35Written for Gladiator I initial production orderGloster Gladiator I
F.35/35Very high speed fighterAirspeed A.S.31 (not built)
F.37/35OR.31Fighter with cannonWestland Whirlwind, Hawker Hurricane with Oerlikon cannon, Supermarine Type 313
G.24/35General Reconnaissance - Anson replacementBristol Type 149, Bristol Beaufort
M.15/35Land-based general reconnaissance/torpedo-bomberBlackburn Botha, Bristol Beaufort
O.30/35Naval fighter/dive bomber development of Skua (q.v.)Blackburn Roc
P.23/35Written for Battle I production orderFairey Battle I
Q.32/35Radio-controlled Fleet Gunnery target aircraft - Queen Bee replacementAirspeed Queen Wasp
10/36Written for Beaufort production orderBristol Beaufort I
11/36Interim General Reconnaissance - aircraft later re-named 'Blenheim IV' and 'Bolingbroke' name transferred to Canadian-built BlenheimBristol Bolingbroke I
17/36Written for Hotspur initial production order - later cancelledHawker Hotspur; cancelled
19/36Naval torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance aircraft - written for Shark additional production orderBlackburn Shark
25/36Written for Skua initial production orderBlackburn Skua
26/36Written for Roc initial production orderBlackburn Roc
29/36Written for Wellington (revised Crecy from B.9/32) initial production orderVickers Wellington I
33/36Written for Blenheim I production order (Rootes)Bristol Blenheim I
36/36Written for Lysander initial production orderWestland Lysander I
37/36Written for Walrus additional production orderSupermarine Walrus I
42/36Target tug - order for Henley target tug conversions by Gloster'sHawker Henley III
47/36Written for Bombay II production orderBristol Bombay II
B.12/36OR.40Four-engine heavy bomberArmstrong Whitworth B.12/36, Short Stirling, Supermarine Type 316
B.20/36Twin-engine medium bomber - written for Whitley III production orderArmstrong Whitworth Whitley III
B.30/36Written for Hampden initial production orderHandley Page Hampden I
B.44/36Written for Dagger-Hampden (Hereford) production orderHandley Page Hereford I
R.1/36OR.32Small reconnaissance flying boatSaro Lerwick, Blackburn B-20
P.13/36OR.41Twin Vulture-engined medium bomber for "world-wide use" - introduction delayed due to production difficulties necessitating further order of Whitleys & WellingtonsAvro Manchester, Handley Page H.P.56, Vickers Warwick with Rolls-Royce Vulture engines.
S.41/36Naval carrier-borne torpedo bomber - Swordfish replacementFairey Albacore
T.6/36Advanced monoplane trainer mounting manually-operated dorsal turret - Don accepted but proved unsuitablede Havilland Don, Miles Kestrel
T.23/36Multi-role crew trainerAirspeed Oxford
T.40/36OR.44Development and production of a trainer version of the Miles HawkMiles Magister
2/37Written for Blenheim I production order (Avro)Bristol Blenheim I
6/37Twin-engine VIP transport aircraft - order for The King's FlightAirspeed Envoy
19/37Written for Manchester I production orderAvro Manchester I
20/37Written for Roc floatplane production orderBlackburn Roc
32/37Written for Halifax initial production orderHandley Page Halifax I Srs 1 - I Srs 3
37/37Magister I production orderMiles Magister I
38/37Three-seat communications aircraft & instrument/wireless trainerMiles Mentor
43/37Engine testbedFolland Fo.108; designs also tendered by General Aircraft & Percival
B.32/37OR.44Production contract for a four-engine version of the P.13/36 H.P.56 designHandley Page H.P.57 Halifax
F.9/37OR.49Twin-engine day/night fighterGloster G.39
F.11/37Twin-engine two seat day & night fighter/ground supportBoulton Paul P.92
F.18/37Heavily armed interceptor armed with 12 x 0.303 mgs and capable of at least 400 mphBristol F.18/37, Gloster F.18/37, Hawker Tornado, Hawker Typhoon, Supermarine Type 324, Supermarine Type 325
Q.8/37Radio-controlled Fleet Gunnery target aircraft - Queen Bee replacement - role subsequently carried-on by Queen Wasp - see Q.32/35Airspeed A.S.37 (not built)
S.23/37OR.52Four-engine carrier-based Fleet shadower/follower - low-speed, high-endurance, ship-tracking aircraft - requirement later rendered obsolete due to introduction of radarAirspeed AS.39, General Aircraft GAL.38
S.24/37OR.53Naval torpedo/dive-bomber, reconnaissance - Supermarine entry featured variable-incidence wingSupermarine S.24/37, Fairey Barracuda
T.1/37Basic trainerHeston T.1/37 Trainer, Miles M.15, Parnall 382/Heck 3, Airspeed A.S.36 (not built)
16/38Trainer - Master I production orderMiles Master T.Mk.I
20/38Communications aircraft - Vega Gull orderPercival Vega Gull
21/38Communications aircraft - Dominie production orderde Havilland Dominie
24/38Twin-engine communications aircraft - Envoy production orderAirspeed Envoy
25/38Twin-engine communications aircraftPercival Petrel
26/38OR.65Three-seat wireless or navigation training aircraft with dual controls - Vega Gull adapted for communications trainingPercival Proctor I
28/38OR.66Two-seat helicopter - written for Weir W.6Weir W.6
B.9/38Twin-engine medium bomber of simple construction using materials other than light alloy wherever possiblesee B.18/38
B.18/38Twin-engine medium bomber of mixed wood/metal constructionArmstrong Whitworth Albemarle
O.8/38Naval carrier-borne fighter/observation - winner developed from Fairey's earlier P.4/34 entryFairey Fulmar
S.7/38Naval catapult-launched observation/spotting flying boat - Walrus replacementSupermarine Sea Otter
T.29/38Twin-engine R/T (Radio Telephony) training aircraft - Dominie three aircraft orderde Havilland Dominie
19/39Twin-engine transport aircraft - order for Hertfordshire later cancelledde Havilland Hertfordshire
20/39Twin-engine communications aircraft - order for No. XXIV Squadron RAFde Havilland Flamingo
21/39Twin-engine VIP transport aircraft - order for The King's Flightde Havilland Flamingo
B.1/39Four-engined heavy bomberAvro Lancaster, Handley Page H.P.60, Short S.34
B.23/39Very high altitude version of Wellington capable of operating at 40,000 ftVickers Wellington V
E.28/39Experimental aircraft using Whittle jet-propulsion with provision for 4 x 0.303 machine gunsGloster E.28/39
F.17/39Long-range fighter development of Bristol Beaufort - written for BeaufighterBristol Beaufighter
F.18/39Fighter - Hurricane/Spitfire replacementMartin-Baker M.B.3, Martin-Baker M.B.5
F.22/39OR.76Fighter fitted with heavy-calibre nose-mounted gunVickers 414 Vickers Type 432 - also tests with Vickers Type 439 testbed - specification later cancelled
N.8/39Naval two-seat carrier-borne fighter - Roc replacement - replaced by N.11/40see N.11/40
N.9/39Naval two-seat carrier-borne fighter - Fulmar replacement - replaced by N.11/40see N.11/40
R.5/39Long-range patrol flying boat - Sunderland replacement - superseded by R.14/40 (q.v.)Saunders-Roe S.38 - later cancelled
T.34/39Advanced trainerAirspeed Cambridge - later cancelled

1940-1949

Spec.ORTypeDesigns (accepted and tendered)
17/40Very high altitude bomber - Wellington V production orderVickers Wellington V
B.1/40OR.78Twin-engine fast bomber carrying no defensive armamentde Havilland Mosquito
B.6/40Twin-engine day/close support bomber - later renamed Blenheim VBristol Bisley
B.20/40"Close Army Support Bomber" with Merlin engine able to dive bomb and photo-reconnaissanceDe-navalised version of Fairey Barracuda offered but specification not proceeded with.[2]
E.28/40Experimental research aircraft for deck landings - cancelled 1943Folland Fo.116 (not built)
F.2/40Fighter using Whittle jet-propulsion (Metrovick) - written for Meteor - see also F.9/40Gloster Meteor II
F.4/40High-altitude fighter - superseded by F.7/41 (q.v.)Westland Welkin
F.9/40Fighter using Whittle jet-propulsion (Rover/Rolls-Royce) - written for Meteor - see also F.2/40Gloster Meteor I
F.16/40High-altitude fighterVickers Type 432
F.18/40Night fighter version of Mosquitode Havilland Mosquito NF.II
F.19/40Low-cost emergency production fighterMiles M.20
F.21/40Fighter version of Mosquitode Havilland Mosquito F.II
N.5/40Naval 2-seat Fleet fighterFairey Firefly
N.11/40Naval FighterBlackburn Firebrand F.1
R.14/40OR.91Very long range reconnaissance flying boat - Centaurus-engined Sunderland replacementSaunders-Roe S.41, Short Shetland
S.12/40Naval catapult-launched observation/spotting flying boat - Walrus & Sea Otter replacement - superseded by S.14/44 (q.v.)Supermarine Type 381
T.24/40Training aircraftAirspeed A.S.50 (not built)
X.10/40Troop-carrying glider capable of carrying 7 troopsGeneral Aircraft Hotspur I; cancelled after eighteen built - redesigned Hotspur II relegated to training - see X.22/40 & X.23/40
X.22/40Troop-carrying training glider - Hotspur II production orderGeneral Aircraft Hotspur II
X.23/40Troop-carrying training glider - Hotspur II further production orderGeneral Aircraft Hotspur II
X.25/40OR.98Troop-carrying glider capable of carrying 14 troopsSlingsby Hengist
X.26/40Troop-carrying glider of wooden construction capable of carrying between 24-36 fully armed troopsAirspeed Horsa
X.27/40Tank-carrying heavy glider capable of carrying 7-ton loadGeneral Aircraft Hamilcar
12/41Target tugMiles Martinet
B.2/41Twin-engine bomber - Blenheim replacement - requirement exceeded by Mosquito and Buckingham relegated to courier/transport dutiesBristol Buckingham C.1
B.5/41OR.106Pressurised high-altitude bomber - evolved into B.3/42 (q.v.)Pressurised version of the Vickers Warwick III
B.8/41Four-engined heavy bomber - see also B.3/42Short S.36, ''Vickers Windsor
B.11/41High-speed high-altitude unarmed bomberde Havilland DH.99, Hawker P.1005, Miles M.39
E.6/41Experimental jet fighter - DH Spider Crabde Havilland Vampire
F.4/41Spitfire with Griffon engine - written for Spitfire IV but amended to include Mk. XXI redesign. Preceded in introduction by Mk.s XII & XIV - some overlap with F.1/43 (q.v.)Supermarine Spitfire XXI
F.7/41OR.108High-altitude fighter - revised from F.4/40 (q.v.)Vickers Type 432, Westland Welkin
F.10/41Written for Hawker TempestHawker Tempest
N.1/41Naval fighterMiles M.20/4
T.9/41Four-seat radio trainer.Percival Proctor IV
X.3/41Emergency Tallboy-carrying conversion of Horsa for attack on Tirpitz - later cancelled when Lancaster was modified to carry TallboyAirspeed A.S.52 Horsa
5/42Glider for RAAFde Havilland Australia DHA.G2
B.3/42OR.115High-performance long-range bomberVickers Windsor
C.1/42Cargo version of Lancaster - York I production orderAvro York I
E.5/42Experimental single-engined jet fighter - later cancelled - see E.1/44Gloster GA.1
E.6/42Experimental lightweight Tempest - written for Tempest Light Fighter - refined & re-issued as F.2/43 (q.v.)Hawker Fury - see F.2/43
F.6/42Single-seat fighterBoulton Paul P.99, Boulton Paul P.100, Hawker Type P.1018, Hawker Type P.1019, Hawker Type P.1020, Folland Fo.117a, Miles M.42, Miles M.43, Miles M.44
H.7/42Torpedo bomber - Beaufighter replacementBristol Brigand
Q.9/42Twin engine target tug - planned production of Monitor later cancelled - see also Q.1/46'Miles Monitor TT Mk.1
R.8/42OR.118Long-range patrol/reconnaissance flying boat - Sunderland with Hercules enginesShort Sunderland IV/Seaford
20/43OR.142Two-seat training glider suitable for ATC cadetsSlingsby Kirby Cadet TX Mk.1
29/43Airliner version of Lancaster IV - see also B.14/43Avro Tudor
A.17/43Army liaison and VIP transport aircraft - Messenger I production orderMiles Messenger I
B.14/43Heavy bomberAvro Lincoln, Handley Page H.P.65
B.27/43Heavy bomber - bomber version of HastingsHandley Page H.P.66/Hastings B.1
E.16/43Experimental helicopterCierva W.9
E.24/43Experimental jet research aircraft capable of 1,000 mph and able to reach 36,000 ft in 1 and 1/2 minutesMiles M.52; cancelled 1946
F.1/43OR.120Development of Spitfire with Griffon & laminar flow wing - see also N.5/45Supermarine Spiteful
F.2/43Written for Tempest Light FighterHawker Fury; cancelled at conclusion of hostilities.
F.9/43Two-seat high-altitude night fighterWestland Welkin NF.II
F.12/43Long-range fighter for Pacific - written for Hornetde Havilland Hornet
F.19/23Folland design to be built by English Electric
N.4/43OR.113Carrier-based fighter - Seafire with Griffon engineSupermarine Seafire XV
N.7/43Carrier-based fighter - revised as N.22/43 (q.v.)Hawker Sea Fury
N.22/43Revision of N.7/43; carrier-based fighterHawker Sea Fury
O.5/43Torpedo bomber - Barracuda replacementFairey Spearfish
Q.10/43Radio-controlled Fleet Gunnery target aircraft - Queen Wasp replacementMiles Queen Martinet
S.11/43Naval carrier-borne attack/strike aircraft - later cancelled - Sturgeon also submitted to Q.1/46 & M.6/49 (q.v.)Armstrong Whitworth A.W.54, Short Sturgeon
S.28/43Firebrand replacementBlackburn B-48 YA.1/Firecrest
T.13/43Advanced trainerBristol Buckmaster
T.23/43Trainer - all-weather fully aerobatic three-seaterPercival Prentice
TX.3/43Two-seat side-by-side seating training gliderGeneral Aircraft G.A.L.55
2/44Brabazon Committee Type ILong range transatlantic airlinerBristol Brabazon I, Miles X-15 (not built)
16/44Stop-gap airliner version of LancasterAvro Lancastrian C.Mk 1
18/44Brabazon Committee Type VaCivil feederlinerMiles Marathon
22/44Transport aircraft - mixed passenger, freight/passenger or all-freight high-payload/short-distance - see also G.9/45Bristol Wayfarer/Freighter
C.3/44Long-range general-purpose transport - York replacementHandley Page Hastings
E.1/44Experimental Nene-powered jet fighterGloster GA.2
E.6/44Written for Saro SR.44 flying-boat jet fighterSaro SR.A/1
E.9/44Flying wing bomber/airlinerArmstrong Whitworth A.W.52
E.10/44Experimental Nene-powered jet fighter - Jet Spitefulsee N.5/45
F.13/44Long-range fighter with Eagle 22 piston engine capable of accepting a turboprop at a later date - RAF version of N.11/44 (q.v.) - see also N.12/45Westland Wyvern
N.5/44Naval carrier-version of Hornetde Havilland Sea Hornet
N.7/44OR.167Carrier-based fighter - navalised version of Spitfire F Mk.21Supermarine Seafire F Mk.45
N.11/44Naval long-range carrier-based fighter with Eagle 22 piston engine capable of accepting a turboprop at a later date - RN version of F.13/44 (q.v.) - see also N.12/45Westland Wyvern
N.15/44Naval carrier-version of Mosquitode Havilland Sea Mosquito TR.33
S.14/44Naval land-based ASRSupermarine Seagull ASR-1
X.4/44Tank-carrying heavy glider capable of carrying 7-ton load and returning under its own powerGeneral Aircraft Hamilcar X
A.2/45Army Aerial Observation Post (AOP) - replacement for Taylorcraft Auster AOPsAuster A.2/45, Heston A.2/45
A.4/45Army three-seat light communications aircraft - Leonides-powered Pioneer II later accepted 1950Scottish Aviation Pioneer I
B.3/45Two-seat twin-engine high-altitude fast jet bomber carrying no defensive armament - Mosquito replacement - revised from E.3/45 (q.v.)English Electric Canberra B.1 - see also B.5/47
C.15/45Transport aircraftHandley Page H.P.72
E.1/45OR.207Experimental aircraft for research into proposed tailless configuration of early DH.106 Comet airliner designde Havilland DH.108
E.3/45Experimental two-seat twin-engine high-altitude fast jet bomber carrying no defensive armament - Mosquito replacement - reissued as B.3/45 (q.v.)English Electric Canberra
E.11/45Experimental aircraft for research into low-speed handling and high Mach number flying of tailless designs - two examples of Swallow (one low- and one high-speed) ordered - see also E.1/45de Havilland DH.108
N.5/45Naval carrier-borne fighter - Seafang developed to this spec. but supplanted by Nene-powered, Naval version of E.10/44 (q.v.)Supermarine Attacker, Supermarine Seafang
N.12/45Long-range carrier-based fighter - Wyvern with Python turboprop engine - see also F.13/44 & N.11/44Westland Wyvern S.4
G.9/45Military transport aircraft capable of carrying a 3 ton load into jungle areas - see also 22/44Bristol Wayfarer/Freighter
GR.17/45OR.220Carrier-borne ASWBlackburn B-54/B-88, Fairey Gannet
Q.19/45OR.204Mosquito target tugde Havilland Mosquito TT.39
T.7/45Three-seat advanced trainer using turboprop engine - Harvard replacement - replaced by T.14/47 (q.v.)Avro Athena T.1, Boulton Paul Balliol T.1
2/46Brabazon Committee Type ILong range transatlantic airliner - Brabazon II (Coupled Proteus) orderBristol Brabazon II
26/46Brabazon Committee Type IIShort-range feederliner - Dragon Rapide replacementde Havilland Dove
B.14/46OR.239Four engine jet heavy bomber - later used as insurance against delay of aircraft submitted to B.35/46Short Sperrin
B.35/46OR.229Four engine swept-wing jet heavy bomber with a cruising speed of 500 kt and a ceiling of at least 55,000 ftArmstrong Whitworth A.W.56, Avro Vulcan, Bristol Type 172, Handley Page Victor, Short PD.1; Designs also submitted by Vickers & English Electric
C.16/46Brabazon Committee Type IIBShort-medium range airlinerArmstrong Whitworth A.W.55 Apollo, Handley Page H.P.76, Handley Page H.P.77, Handley Page H.P.78, Vickers Viscount
E.4/46Experimental gyrodyneFairey Gyrodyne
E.19/46Experimental helicopter for crop sprayingCierva Air Horse
E.27/46Experimental aircraft for investigation into delta wing characteristics at transonic speedsBoulton Paul P.111
E.41/46Experimental swept-wing version of Attacker - evolved into SwiftSupermarine 510, Supermarine Swift
F.43/46Interceptor using Rolls-Royce AJ.65 or Metrovick F.9 axial engines - superseded by F.3/48 (q.v.)Gloster P.234, Gloster P.248, Gloster P.250, Hawker P.1054
F.44/46Two-seat twin-engined night/all weather fightersee F.24/48 & F.4/48
N.7/46Naval carrier-borne interceptor/fighter bomberHawker Sea Hawk
N.11/46Two seat trainer version of Sea FuryHawker Sea Fury T.20
N.40/46Naval carrier-borne jet fighter - see also F.4/48de Havilland DH.110
R.5/46Four engine long-range Maritime patrol bomber - Liberator GR replacementAvro Shackleton
Q.1/46Naval target tugde Havilland Mosquito TT.39, Miles Monitor, Short Sturgeon TT.1,
B.5/47OR.235Three-seat twin-engine high-altitude fast jet bomber carrying no defensive armament - Mosquito replacement - revised from B.3/45 (q.v.) to include visual bombing requirementEnglish Electric Canberra B.2
C.2/47Brabazon Committee Type IIIAirliner - medium-range Empire transportBristol Britannia, Handley Page H.P.83, Handley Page H.P.84, Handley Page H.P.85, Handley Page H.P.86
E.8/47OR.250Experimental one-half scale research version of Bristol Type 172 four-jet long range bomber design - later revised for reconfigured Type 176 - all subsequently cancelledBristol Type 174
N.9/47Naval carrier-borne jet fighterSupermarine Type 508
T.1/47Two seat trainer version of Meteor - written around Gloster's civil Meteor demonstrator G-AKPKGloster Meteor T.7
T.14/47Two-seat advanced trainer using Merlin 35 - replacement for T.7/45 (q.v.)Avro Athena T.2, Boulton Paul Balliol T.2
8/48ab initio trainer - Tiger Moth replacement - written for Chipmunk T.10 production orderde Havilland Chipmunk T.10
E.6/48no ORExperimental research aircraft using one-third scale version of Handley Page B.35/46 wing design'''Handley Page HP.88
E.15/48no ORExperimental one-third scale low-speed research version of Avro's B.35/46 design'''Avro 707
F.3/48OR.228Written for P.1067, replaced F.43/46Hawker P.1067 (Hawker Hunter)
F.4/48OR.227Two-seat twin-engined night/all weather fighter - replacement for Vampire NFsde Havilland DH.110, Gloster Javelin
F.24/48Two-seat twin-engined night/all weather fighter - interim stop-gap for F.4/48 - Meteor NF development originally to F.44/46 (q.v.)Armstrong Whitworth Meteor NF.11
B.9/48OR.231Four engine jet heavy bomber - less advanced stop-gap for B.35/46 designs - written around ValiantVickers Valiant
B.22/48OR.302Pathfinder version of CanberraEnglish Electric Canberra B.5
R.2/48OR.231
T.12/48Trainer - two-seat Wyvern conversion trainerWestland Wyvern T.3
T.16/48Trainer - Prentice replacementHandley Page H.P.R.2, Percival Provost
C.19/49Transport - Hastings C.2 orderHandley Page Hastings C.2
E.10/49Experimental - additional order for Avro 707s including side-by-side seating conversion-trainers - these later cancelled - see also E.15/48'''Avro 707
F.15/49Jet fighter - interim Vampire replacementde Havilland Venom
F.23/49OR.268Supersonic jet fighter/interceptorEnglish Electric Lightning
M.6/49OR.275Light carrier-borne ASW - written around Short Sturgeon variant - spec derived from GR.17/45Short S.B.3
N.14/49Naval carrier-borne all-weather strike fighter - see also N.40/46 & F.4/48de Havilland Sea Vixen
E.27/49Delta wing researchBoulton Paul P.120

Post 1949 Operational Requirements and Naval Requirements

ORYearTypeRelated aircraft
ER.100194?Experimental low-speed research version of English Electric P.1 (q.v.)Short S.B.5
ER.1031947Experimental research aircraft capable of Mach 1.5 at 36,000 ft - modified for P.1 as F.23/49 (q.v.)English Electric P.1, Fairey Delta 2
OR.301February 1952Rocket propelled interceptorSaunders Roe SR.53, Avro 720
OR.303195?Lightweight fighter to intercept Soviet Tu-4 bombersFolland Midge
OR.304195?Helicopter for Coastal CommandBristol Sycamore
OR.323195?Transport aircraft - Hastings replacementArmstrong Whitworth Argosy
OR.3241952Low-level bomber - Spec. B.126T written to this OR - cancelled 1954Avro 721, Handley Page H.P.99 - proposals also tendered by: Bristol, Shorts & Vickers.
OR.334195?VTOL transport aircraftFairey Rotodyne; later cancelled
ER.43~1953Experimental direct jet-lift VTOL research aircraftShort SC.1
ER.1341953Experimental high-speed research aircraft capable of sustaining Mach 2.75 to investigate effect of kinetic heating on airframeBristol 188
ER.163195?Experimental Fairey Delta 2 with de Havilland Gyron engine - later cancelledFairey Delta 2
ER.204D195?Experimental VTOL aircraft using Bristol PegasusHawker P.1127
NA.391953Carrier borne strike aircraft to Spec. M.148TBlackburn Buccaneer, Short PD.13
NA.47195?Mixed rocket-jet interception fighter for RNSaunders-Roe SR.177; cancelled 1957
NR/A.32195?Light carrier-borne ASW to Spec. M.123Short Seamew
F138D1953Mixed rocket-jet interception fighter - written around SR.53Saunders-Roe SR.53
OR.3301954Supersonic high flying reconnaissance aircraftAvro 730, Handley Page H.P.100
OR.329 /F.1551955?Supersonic high flying interceptorFairey "Delta III"; cancelled 1957
OR.35619??Supersonic V/STOL - Spec. SR.250Hawker Siddeley P.1154; later cancelled
OR.35719??Maritime reconnaissance aircraft - led to NimrodHawker Siddeley Nimrod
OR.36219??Supersonic trainer aircraft - led to JaguarSEPECAT Jaguar
GOR.3391956STOL Tactical-Strike/Reconnaissance aircraft capable of Mach 2 and suitable for operation from unpaved strips - Canberra replacementBritish Aircraft Corporation TSR-2; later cancelled
GOR.345195?V/STOL combat aircraft version of Hawker P.1127 - Harrier developmentHawker Siddeley Harrier
GSR.3335196?Helicopter - Scout replacementWestland Lynx
GSR.3336196?Helicopter - Sioux replacementWestland Gazelle
RB.156Reconnaissance-bomberAvro 730
ASR.365196?Helicopter - Tactical SupportWestland Puma
ASR.367196?Bomber - Vulcan B.2 - see also B.35/46Avro Vulcan B.2
ASR.368196?Bomber - Victor B.2 - see also B.35/46Handley Page Victor B.2
ASR.371196?Transport aircraftShort Belfast
ASR.372196?Trainer version of Lightning - Lightning T.5English Electric Lightning T.5
ASR.373196?VIP Transport aircraft - Andover CC.2Hawker Siddeley Andover CC.2
ASR.376196?Tanker aircraftHandley Page Victor B(K).1/1A
ASR.378196?Transport aircraft - VC10Vickers VC10
ASR.381196?Interim Maritime Patrol aircraft to Spec. MR.254 - written around AtlantiqueBreguet Atlantique
ASR.382196?Two-seat trainer version of P.1154 for RAF - cancelledHawker Siddeley P.1154
ASR.384196?Harrier requirement - see also GOR.345Hawker Siddeley Harrier
ASR.385196?Phantom for RAFMcDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom
ASR.3971970Basic jet trainer - Jet Provost replacementHawker Siddeley Hawk
ASR.409Harrier replacementMcDonnell Douglas AV-8 as Harrier GR.5
NSR.645119??V/STOL carrier borne fighter aircraft - Naval HarrierBAE Sea Harrier

See also

References

1. ^ No allowance sighting. Retrieved on 1 February, 2007.
2. ^ Buttler 2004
  • Aeroplane Monthly Magazine. - various articles - various issues 1973-1987. Web site
  • Buttler, Tony. Secret Projects: British Fighters and Bombers 1935 -1950 (British Secret Projects 3). Leicester, UK: Midland Publishing, 2004. ISBN 1-85780-179-2.
  • Green, William. Famous Bombers of the Second World War, 2nd Edition. London: MacDonald & Jane's,1975. ISBN 0-356-08333-0.
  • Meekcoms, K.J. and Morgan, E.B. The British Aircraft Specifications File. London: Air Britain, 1994. ISBN 0-85130-220-3.
  • Munson , Kenneth. Bombers Between the Wars 1919-39 - Including Patrol and Transport Aircraft (Blandford Colour Series). London: Associate R.Ae.S., 1970. ISBN 0-7137-0514-0.
  • Munson , Kenneth. Bombers In Service - Patrol and Transport Aircraft Since 1960 (Blandford Colour Series). London: Associate R.Ae.S., 1972. ISBN 0-7137-0586-8.
  • Munson , Kenneth. Fighters 1939-45 - Attack and Training Aircraft (Blandford Colour Series). London: Associate R.Ae.S., 1975. ISBN 0-7137-0378-4.
  • Munson , Kenneth. The Pocket Encyclopedia of Bombers At War (Blandford Colour Series, New Orchard Edition). London: Associate R.Ae.S., 1977. ISBN 0-18507-902-8.
Note: This is a combined volume made up of the following separate books:
: Munson, Kenneth.Bombers Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft 1914-1919 (Blandford Colour Series) . London: Associate R.Ae.S., 1977. ISBN 0-7137-0632-8.
: Munson, Kenneth. Bombers Patrol and Transport Aircraft 1939-1945 (Blandford Colour Series) , London: Associate R.Ae.S., 1975. ISBN 0-7137-0379-2.
  • Sinnott, Colin. The RAF and Aircraft Design, 1923-1939: Air Staff Operational Requirements London: Frank Cass, 2001. ISBN 0-7146-5158-3.

External links

Motto
"Dieu et mon droit" [2]   (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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Air Ministry was formerly a department of the British Government with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the Royal Air Force.

Organizations before the Air Ministry

The Air Committee


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aircraft is a vehicle which is able to fly through the air (or through any other atmosphere). All the human activity which surrounds aircraft is called aviation. (Most rocket vehicles are not aircraft because they are not supported by the surrounding air).
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Royal Air Force (RAF) is the air force branch of the British Armed Forces. The RAF was formed on 1 April 1918 and has since taken a significant role in British military history since then, playing a large part in World War II and in conflicts such as the recent war in Iraq.
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The Minister of Aircraft Production was the British government position in charge of the Ministry of Aircraft Production, one of the specialised supply ministries set up by the British Government during World War II.
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The Ministry of Supply (MoS) was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supplying of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply.
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Type Giant airliner
Manufacturer Bristol Aeroplane Company
Maiden flight Sunday September 4 1949
Introduced 1949
Retired 1953
Status Only example scrapped in 1953.
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bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs.

Classifications of bombers

Strategic bombers are primarily designed for long-range strike missions with bombs against strategic targets such as supply bases, bridges, factories,
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fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for attacking other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed to attack ground targets, primarily by dropping bombs. Fighters are comparatively small, fast, and maneuverable.
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Naval Service

Components
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Gliders or Sailplanes are heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight. See also gliding and motor gliders for more details.[1]

Terminology

A "glider" is an unpowered aircraft.
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A flying boat is a type of aircraft which uses its fuselage as a floating hull, generally stabilised on the water surface by underwing floats or stub projections. It is a specialised form of seaplane, an aircraft that is designed to take off and land on water utilising a carriage
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Radio control (sometimes abbreviated R/C) is the use of radio signals to remotely control a device. The term is used frequently to refer to the control of model cars, boats, airplanes, and helicopters from a hand-held radio transmitter.
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An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft with no onboard pilot. UAVs can be remote controlled or fly autonomously based on pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems.
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Naval Service

Components
Royal Navy
  • Surface Fleet
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Royal Marines
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A hangar is an enclosed structure designed to hold aircraft in protective storage. Most modern hangars are built of metal, but wood and concrete are other materials commonly used. The word hangar comes from a northern French dialect, and means "cattle pen.
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aircraft carrier is a warship designed to deploy and in most cases recover aircraft, acting as a sea-going airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power great distances without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations.
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Type torpedo-spotter-reconnaissance aircraft
Manufacturer Blackburn Aircraft
Maiden flight 24 August 1933
Introduced 1934
Retired 1945
Primary users Fleet Air Arm
RCAF
Produced 1937-1939
Number built
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Type torpedo-bomber
anti-submarine
Manufacturer Fairey Aviation
Maiden flight April 17, 1934
Introduced 1936
Retired 21 May 1945
Primary users Fleet Air Arm
Royal Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
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A torpedo bomber is a bomber aircraft designed primarily to attack ships with torpedoes, but they could also carry out conventional bombings. Torpedo bombers existed almost exclusively prior to and during WWII, when they were an important player in many famous battles,
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Type Torpedo/dive bomber
Manufacturer Fairey Aviation
Designed by Marcel Lobelle
Maiden flight 7 December1940
Introduced 1943
Primary user Fleet Air Arm
Produced 1941-1945
Number built 2,607

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A dive bomber is a bomber aircraft that dives directly at its targets in order to provide greater accuracy and limit the exposure to and effectiveness of anti-aircraft fire.
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Radar is a system that uses electromagnetic waves to identify the range, altitude, direction, or speed of both moving and fixed objects such as aircraft, ships, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain.
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Type heavy night-bomber
Manufacturer Vickers Limited
Maiden flight 24 November 1922
Introduced 1924
Retired 1941
Status Out of service
Primary user Royal Air Force
Number built 124

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Avro was a British aircraft manufacturer, with numerous landmark designs such as the Avro 504 trainer in the First World War, the Avro Lancaster which was one of the pre-eminent bombers during the Second World War and the delta wing Avro Vulcan, a stalwart of the Cold War.
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Handley Page, Limited was founded by Frederick Handley Page (later Sir Frederick) in 1909 as the United Kingdom's first publicly traded aircraft manufacturing company. It went into voluntary liquidation and ceased to exist in 1970.
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Type Strategic bomber
Manufacturer Avro
Maiden flight 31 August, 1952
Introduction 1956
Retired March 1984
Primary user Royal Air Force
Produced 1956-1965
Number built 136 (including prototypes)
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Type Strategic bomber, tanker
Manufacturer Handley Page Aircraft Company
Maiden flight 24 December, 1952
Introduced April 1958
Retired 1993
Primary user Royal Air Force
Produced 1952 - 1963
Number built
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Type Multirole aircraft, primarily a trainer
Manufacturer Avro
Maiden flight 24 March 1935
Introduced 1936
Retired 28 June 1968
Primary users Royal Air Force
Fleet Air Arm
Produced 1930s-1952
Number built
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Type Fighter-bomber
Manufacturer Hawker Aircraft/Gloster
Designed by Sidney Camm
Maiden flight 24 February 1940
Introduced 1941
Primary users RAF
RCAF
Number built 3,330 The Typhoon
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