Does anyone ever wonder about the gaps in aircraft designations??? For example, we have the P43,P47, and P51. But what were the P44, 45, 46, 48, 49, and 50? And if they never existed, why jump from one number to another leaving gaps?? And if they did exist, why have we never heard of them?
Each project number is assigned when a prototype begins development. Many of these never reach fruition but the number cannot be reused.
The XP-44 was a Republic improvement fo the P-43, a larger engine. The XP-45 was going to be the Airacobra, but the AAF couldn’t get money to buy new planes, so they produced it under the P-39 designation. And so forth.
Basically, if you’re unfamiliar with some of the more obscure types then these ‘gaps’ will exist for you. You just plain won’t know about one-off aircraft if you haven’t been exposed to 'em.
Here’s a page on the USAFM site which will help you identify some of these obscure types. USAAC/USAAF/USAF types, anyway…
Here’s a site which is one of the most complete aviation encyclopedias that you’ll find online:
There may be not be a whole lotta info for each aircraft here, but it’s a thorough listing and the majority of the listings have at least one accompanying photo.
And another good site with lotsa obscure types:
Fade to Black…
Those are GREAT sites! I found some info that I’ve been looking for, for months. Another reason for joining this forum. Thanks again guyys/gals[bow][bow][bow]
Like Swanny stated but in most cases the planes where to close to their predessors that making it a new plane was not cost effective but get it a new subject #, good example is the P-40B/C compaired to the P-40D-N ( which was desitined to be a P-45 { I think} but AAF decided it’s still a P-40 ) they had totally different designs but ran with the same orignial #'s from the prior contract, and look at the F-86’s and the F-86D ( which was to be the F-96 )
I have a book that lists every fighter sequentially, including the ones that weren’t put into production, with photos and scale drawings. Sometimes it’s just a quick paragraph saying the number was assigned to a study that was cancelled. Pretty fascinating book, actually.
It’s only lately that the AF started screwing the order up by assigning F-117 pretty much at random, and carrying the X-35 over to F-35 with the JSF. There will be a real gap between F-22 and F-35 now.