| Designation | Official, Popular Name(s) | Manufacturer | 1st Flight or Appearance | Role(s)/Notes |
FA Atlantic 1932 USN fighter
F2A Buffalo Brewster 1937 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter - 1st monoplane
equipping a USN squadron
F3A Corsair Brewster 1943 USN/USMC Brewster-built F4U
FB (PW-9) Boeing 1924 USN biplane fighter - Boeing's 1st naval
fighter - developed with the PW-9
F2B (P-8) Boeing 1926 USN carrier-based biplane fighter - similar to
USAAS P-8 - modified FB
F3B Boeing 1927 USN/USMC carrier-based biplane fighter -
development F2B
F4B (P-12) Boeing 1928 USN carrier-based biplane fighter P-12
F5B (P-15) Boeing 1930 USN monoplane P-15
F6B Boeing 1933 USN fighter-bomber - based on F4B; redes. to BFB in 1934
F7B Boeing 1933 USN fighter - modified P-29
(P-29/32)
F8B Boeing 1944 USN long-range contra-rotating propellors
fighter-bomber
CF Curtiss 1922 USN "paper" designation of CR -
racers classed as fighters
F2C Curtiss 1924 USN "paper" designation of R2C
F3C Curtiss 1925 USN "paper" designation of R3C
F4C Curtiss 1922 USN/USMC biplane fighter - all-metal TS
F5C designation skipped to avoid confusion with
F-5L
F6C (PW-8) Hawk Curtiss 1925 USN/USMC biplane fighter - carrier-based P-1
F7C Seahawk Curtiss 1928 USN/USMC biplane fighter
F8C-1/3 Falcon Curtiss 1928 USN/USMC 2-seat biplane fighter-bomber
redes. to OC
F8C-2/8 Helldiver Curtiss 1928 USN/USMC's 1st dive bomber - modified F8C-1/3
modified/redes. to O2C
F9C Sparrowhawk Curtiss 1931 USN biplane parasite fighter operating from
airship
F10C Helldiver Curtiss 1931 USN biplane fighter - modified O2C (F8C-8)
F11C Goshawk Curtiss 1932 USN carrier-based biplane fighter-bomber;
redes. to BFC/BF2C in 1934
F12C Curtiss 1933 USN parasol wing fighter, pursuit
F13C Mystery Fighter Curtiss 1934 USN/USMC fighter
F14C Curtiss 1944 USN contra-rotating propellors fighter
F15C Curtiss 1945 USN jet+turboprop fighter
FD Douglas 1933 USN/USMC fighter - last fixed-gear biplane
FD Phantom Douglas 1945 1st USN carrier-based jet fighter - later FH
Phantom
F2D Banshee Douglas 1947 USN carrier-based fighter-bomber - later F2H
F3D (F-10) Skyknight, Willy the Douglas 1948 USN/USMC's 1st jet night fighter - all-weather
Whale, Whale, Drut carrier-based fighter
F4D (F-6) Skyray, Ford Douglas 1951 USN/USMC carrier-based interceptor & attack
F5D Skylancer Douglas 1954 USN much-modified/supersonic F4D-2
F6D Missileer Douglas 1960 USN patrol interceptor
FF Fifi Grumman 1931 USN biplane fighter, scout
F2F Grumman 1933 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter-bomber
F3F Flying Barrel Grumman 1935 USN/USMC larger wingspan/fuselage F2F - last
USN biplane fighter
F4F Wildcat Grumman 1937 1st USN/USMC monoplane fighter
F5F (P-50) Skyrocket Grumman 1938 experimental USN 2-engined fighter
F6F Hellcat Grumman 1942 USN/USMC carrier-based night fighter/
fighter-bomber
F7F (P-65) Tigercat Grumman 1944 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter-bomber, night
fighter
F8F Bearcat Grumman 1944 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter, fighter-bomber
F9F(1-5) Panther Grumman 1948 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter-bomber,
photographic recon.
F9F(6-8) Cougar Grumman 1951 modified, reengined, swept-wing F9F(1-5), same
(F-9) roles as well as trainer
F9F-9 Tiger Grumman 1954 USN - prototype F11F (F-11)
F10F Jaguar Grumman 1952 USN swing-wing fighter (2nd American
swing-wing)
F11F Tiger Grumman 1955 USN carrier-based fighter-bomber - redes.
(F-11) F9F-9
F12F Grumman 1956 USN proposed all-weather interceptor
development F11F - competitor F4H
FG Comanche Eberhart 1927 USN fighter
F2G Eberhart 1928 USN seaplane FG
FG Corsair Goodyear 1943 USN/USMC Goodyear-built F4U
F2G Corsair Goodyear 1945 USN proposed low-altitude F4U
FH Hall 1929 USN fighter
FH Phantom McDonnell 1947 USN/USMC fighter - 1st jet to land on aircraft
carrier - redes. FD
F2H (F-2) Banshee, Banjo McDonnell 1947 USN/USMC carrier-based all-weather
fighter-bomber- redes. F2D - redes. to
F-2 in 1962
F3H (F-3) Demon, Lead Sled McDonnell 1951 USN carrier-based all-weather night fighter -
redes. to F-3 in 1962
F4H (F-4) Phantom II , Rhino McDonnell 1955 USN carrier-based fleet defence interceptor -
Double Ugly, Spectre, development/redes. AH - redes. to F-4 in 1962
Flying Bathtub, Pig, Old Smokey, Converter, Rhino, St. Louis Slugger
FJ Ber.-Joyce 1930 USN fighter
F2J (P-16) Ber.-Joyce 1933 USN fighter
F3J Ber.-Joyce 1934 USN - last biplane fighter with fixed landing
gear
FJ-1 (F-1) Fury North Amer. 1946 USN carrier-based fighter-bomber
FJ-2/4 Fury North Amer. 1952 USN/USMC swept-wing modified F-86E -
(F-86E) carrier-based fighter, drone controller, attack fighter
FL Loening 1933 USN biplane fighter
FL (P-39) Airabonita Bell 1940 USN P-39C
F2L (P-63) Kingcobra Bell 1942 USN P-63
F3L Bell 1960 USN proposed version of USAF F-109 VTOL
(F-109) fighter - cancelled
FM Wildcat Gen. Mot. 1943 USN/USMC G.M.-built reengined F4F
F2M Wildcat Gen. Mot. 1944 USN - reengined FM
F3M Bearcat Gen. Mot. 1945 USN GM-produced F8F
FN N.A.F. cancelled USN fighter project
FO (P-38) Lightning Lockheed 1939 USN P-38 fighter
FO Salmon, Vertijet Lockheed 1950 initial designation FV
FR Fireball Ryan 1944 USN carrier-based fighter with radial + jet
engine
F2R Dark Shark Ryan 1946 USN turboprop + jet derivative of FR
FS Spitfire Supermar. 1945 USN designation Spitfire fighter
FT (A-17) Northrop 1934 1st Navy twin-engine - carrier-based attack
fighter - based on USAAF A-17
F2T (P-61) Black Widow Northrop 1944 USN/USMC trainer P-61
UF Vought initial designation UO
FU Vought 1926 USN carrier-based/battleship fighter, trainer -
redes./development UO
F2U Vought 1929 USN 2-place fighter
F3U Vought 1933 USN fighter
F4U Corsair, Vought 1940 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter-bomber, night
Bent-Wing Bird fighter, recon.
F5U Skimmer, Flying Chance Vo. 1940 USN experimental carrier-based saucer-wing
fighter
Pancake/Flapjack
F6U Pirate Vought 1946 USN -Vought's 1st jet fighter
F7U Cutlass, Vought 1950 tailless USN/USMC carrier-based fighter,
Gutless Cutlass recon.
F8U (F-8) Crusader, Vought 1955 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter, fighter-bomber
MiG Master
FV Salmon, Vertijet, Lockheed 1953 USN experimental VATOL fighter-
Vertical Riser
contra-rotating propellors - redes. FO
FV Vickers 1943 proposed Vickers-built F6F
F2W Tornado Experimental Wright 1923 USN fighter/racer
F3W Apache Wright 1926 USN fighter - reengined F2W
FY Pogo Convair 1954 USN experimental VATOL fighter with contra-
rotating propellors
F2Y (F-7) Sea Dart Convair 1954 USN experimental jet fighter with skis to take
off/land on water
F-1 Camel Sopwith 1917 fighter
F-1 Fairchild 1929 photographic recon. - redes. C-8
F-1 (FJ) Fury North Amer. 1962 USN carrier-based fighter - redes. FJ
F-2 Expeditor,Bugsmasher Beech 1941 photographic recon.-converted C-45
F-2 (F2H) Banshee, Banjo McDonnell 1962 USN carrier-based fighter-bomber - redes. F2H
F-3 Havoc Douglas 1940 photographic reconaissance A-20
F-3 (F3H) Demon, Lead Sled McDonnell 1962 USN carrier-based interceptor, attack-redes.
F3H
F-4 Lightning Lockheed 1941 photographic reconaissance P-38
F-4 (F4H) Phantom II, Rhino, McDD 1962 USN/USAF carrier-based interceptor/fighter -
Double Ugly, Spectre, land/sea operations - redes. F4H/F-110
Flying Bathtub, Pig,
Old Smokey, Converter, Rhino, St. Louis Slugger
F-4G Wild Weasel McDD 1968 USAF defense suppression F-4
F-5L N.A.F./ 1918 USN/USMC modified H-16 - patrol flying boat
Curtiss with Liberty engine
F-5 Lightning Lockheed 1942 photographic reconnaissance P-38 - modified
F-4
F-5 Freedom Fighter,Tiger Northrop 1963, USN/USAF light tactical fighter
(A,B), Tiger II (E,F), 1972 "Top Gun" DACT
Aggressor
F-6L N.A.F. 1918 modified F-5L
F-6 Mustang North Amer. 1942 photographic reconnaissance P-51
F-6 (F4D) Skyray, Ford Douglas 1962 USN/USMC carrier-based interceptor & attack -
redes. F4D
F-7 Liberator Cons. Vul. 1942 photographic reconnaissance B-24D
F-7 (F2Y) Sea Dart Convair 1962 USN experimental fighter - redes. F2Y
F-8 Mosquito D.H.C. 1943 development of Mosquito - photographic recon.
F-8 (F8U) Crusader, Vought 1962 USN/USMC carrier-based fighter/fighter-bomber,
MiG Master recon. - redes. F8U
F-9 Flying Fortress Boeing 1942 photographic reconnaissance B-17
F-9 Cougar Grumman 1962 USN carrier-based fighter - redes. F9F-(6-8)
(F9F-[6-8])
F-10 Mitchell North Amer. 1941 unarmed photographic reconnaissance B-25
F-10 (F3D) Skyknight, Willy Douglas 1962 USN/USMC's 1st jet night fighter - redes. F3D
the Whale, Whale, Drut
F-11 Hughes 1944 experimental contrarotating propellors twin-boom
reconnaissance - development A-37
F-11 Tiger Grumman 1962 USN carrier-based fighter-bomber - redes. F11F
(F11F)
F-12 Rainbow Douglas 1944 long-range photographic reconnaissance
F-12 The Thing, Lockheed 1964 high-speed interceptor, later SR-71 -
Blackbird development A-12 (A-11?)3
F-13 Superfortress Boeing 1944 camera reconnaissance B-29
F-13 designation unassigned in 1962 system (superstition?)
F-14 Shooting Star Lockheed 1944 photographic reconnaissance P-80
F-14 Tomcat, Turkey Grumman 1970 USN carrier-based swing-wing
fighter/interceptor
F-14D Super Tomcat Grumman 1987 reengined/modified F-14
F-15 Reporter Northrop 1945 recon. - modified P-61 (also FP-61)
F-15 Eagle, Big Bird, McDD 1972 air superiority fighter with attack
Aluminum Overcast, capabilities
Great Bird Rodan, Rodan, Tennis Court
F-15 Streak Eagle McDD 1975 stripped high-performance F-15A
F-15E Strike Eagle McDD 1982 multirole fighter/attack, with FAST packs/CFT
F-16 Fighting Falcon, G.D. 1974 USAF multirole fighter, trainer - winner of LWF
Electric Jet, Viper, contract; USN DACT (F-16N)
Little Hummer, Lawn Dart
F-16 Agile Falcon G.D. 1987 modified F-16C with 25% greater wing area
F-16XL G.D. 1982 mod. F-16 with cranked-arrow delta wing - redes.
as F-16E - non-standard designation
F-17 Cobra Northrop 1974 competitor of the F-16 in USAF LWF contract -
modified into F/A-18 for USN/USMC
F/A-18 Hornet, McDD 1978 USN/USMC carrier & land-based
Plastic Bug fighter/attack (-18A and -18C),
trainer(-18B), night attack (-18D) -
modified F-17
F/A-18E/F/G Super Hornet, Boeing/McDD 1993 modified F/A-18C/D - larger, greater
Growler (F/A-18G) payload, reengined; F/A-18G proposed replacement for EA-6B, AKA EA-18
F-19?9
F-20 Tigershark Northrop 1982 multirole tactical fighter development of
the F-5G
F-21 Lion (Kfir) IAI 1985 USN/USMC Top Gun DACT - leased Israeli
Kfir jets
F-22 Lightning 2, Raptor, Lockheed/ 1991 USAF Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF)
Rapier? Boeing & winner with internal weapons & thrust
G.D. vectoring - USN proposed navalized version
(NATF) - comp. F-23
F-23 Black Widow II, Gray Northrop/ 1991 competitor F-22 - ATF demonstrator
Ghost McDD
F-24 Douglas 1948 redes. A-24 (SBD)
F-35 Lockheed 2001 USAF/USN/USMC multirole fighter development of X-35; apparent des. of JSF
(Joint Strike Fighter), obviously incorrectly based on X-35 rather than F-24
F-38L Lightning Lockheed 1948 long-range twin boom fighter - redes. P-38L
F-40 Warhawk Curtiss 1948 fighter-bomber - redes. P-40
F-47 Thunderbolt, The Jug, Republic 1948 air superiority fighter, bomber - redes. P-47
Big Ugly, Bucket of Bolts, Cast Iron Beast, Repulsive Scatterbolt,
Seven-Ton Milk Bottle, T-bolt, Thunder Mug
F-51 Mustang, Apache, North Amer. 1948 USAF air superiority fighter, attack -
Peter-Dash-Flash, redes. P-51; Army chase plane
Spam Can, Stang for AH-56 helicopter (delivered 1968)
F-59 Airacomet Bell 1948 1st American jet fighter - redes. P-59A
F-61 (F2T) Black Widow Northrop 1948 twin boom night fighter, strategic recon. -
redes. P-61
F-63 (F2L) Kingcobra Bell 1948 fighter-bomber - based on P-39E - redes. P-63
F-80 Shooting Star, Lead Lockheed 1948 fighter-bomber, interceptor - redes. P-80
(TO-1/ Sled, Lockheed Racer, T-Bird, T-Bag
TV-1)
F-81 Silver Bullet Convair 1948 jet + turboprop long-range escort fighter -
redes. P-81
F-82 Twin Mustang North Amer. 1948 escort & night fighter with 2 P-51H fuselages
joined by 1 wing & stabilizer - redes. P-82
F-83 Bell 1948 experimental long-range jet escort fighter -
development P-59A - redes. P-83
F-84 Thunder Jet/Streak/ Republic 1948 fighter-bomber - redes. P-84
Flash, The Hog, Ground Hog, Ground-Loving Whore, Lead Sled, Lieutenant Eater,
Mechanic's Nightmare, Bumblebee
F-84F Thunderstreak, Republic 1951 swept-wing F-84 - redes. F-96
Super Hog, Thunderscreech
F-85 Goblin, Bumble Bee, McDonnell 1948 parasite fighter carried in B-36/EB-29B bomb
Parasite bay - redes. P-85
F-86 Sabre North Amer. 1948 fighter-bomber - redes. P-86 - F-86E basis for
(FJ-2/4) FJ-2/4
F-86D Dogship, Sabre Dog North Amer. 1949 gunless all-weather interceptor F-86 - redes. F-95
F-87 Blackhawk Curtiss 1948 1st dedicated all-weather fighter -
development A-43 with 4 jets - redes. P-87
F-88 Voodoo McDonnell 1948 long-range escort fighter - competitor F-90 &
F-93 - redes. P-88 - developed into F-101
F-89 Scorpion, FOD Vacuum, Northrop 1948 all-weather/night interdictor - redes. P-89
World's Largest Vacuum Cleaner, Stanley Steamer
F-90 Lockheed 1948 experimental long-range penetration fighter -
competitor F-88/F-93 - redes. P-90
F-91 Thunderceptor Republic 1948 experimental rocket-assisted swept wing with
inverse taper & variable incidence wings - redes. P-91
F-92 Dart,Seven Balls Two Convair 1948 experimental - 1st delta-wing jet - redes.
P-92
F-93 Sabre North Amer. 1950 penetration fighter F-86 with flush air
intakes - competitor F-88/F-93
F-94 Starfire Lockheed 1949 all-weather fighter/interceptor - modified T-33/F-80
F-95 Sabre North Amer. 1950 night fighter F-86 - redes. as F-86D
F-96 Thunderjet Republic 1950 original designation of swept-wing F-84 -
redes. as F-84F
F-97 Starfire Lockheed 1950 modified F-94B - redes. as F-94C
10
F-98 Falcon Hughes 1951 original designation Falcon AAM - later GAR-1, AIM-4
F-99 Bomarc Boeing 1951 original designation Bomarc SAM - later IM-99
F-100 Super Sabre, Hun, North Amer. 1953 fighter-bomber, interceptor - first "Century
Sabre 45, Lead Sled, Silver Dollar Series" fighter
F-101 Voodoo, One-O-Wonder McDonnell 1954 fighter-bomber, all-weather interceptor -
based on F-88 - F-101B originally designated F-10911
F-102 Delta Dagger, Deuce, Convair 1953 1st supersonic delta-wing - all-weather
Dagger interceptor F-92
F-103 Republic 1951 experimental Mach 4 delta interceptor with
ramjets
F-104 Starfighter, Missile Lockheed 1952 day interceptor, air superiority fighter
With a Man In It, Zipper, Zip, Widow Maker
F-105 Thunderchief, Thud, Republic 1955 all-weather fighter-bomber - competitor F-107
Hyper-Hog, Iron Butterfly, Lead Sled, The Nickel, One-Man Air Force, Thunderthud,
Triple Threat, Ultra-Hog, Squash Bomber, Squat Bomber, Republic Iron and Steel Works, Mighty Iron Hardware
F-105D T-Stick II Republic 1970 improved all-weather bomber F-105
F-105G Wild Weasel Republic 1960 EW/defence suppression F-105 - redes. EF-105F
F-106 Thunderjet Republic 1950 jet + propellor F-84 - temporary designation
F-84H
F-106 Delta Dart, Six, Convair 1956 all-weather interceptor
Sixshooter, Dart
F-107 Ultra Sabre North Amer. 1956 experimental fighter with overhead air intake -
based on F-100 - competitor F-105
F-108 Rapier North Amer. 1959 experimental Mach 3 long-range delta
interceptor- escort for XB-70
11
F-109 Bell 1960 supersonic 8-jet VTOL fighter-bomber
(F3L)
F-110 Spectre, Phantom II McDonnell 1962 air superiority/tactical support F-4 - redes.
as F-4C
F-111 Aardvark, Vark, G.D. 1964 USN (cancelled)/USAF long-range interdictor
Flying Edsel, Swinger, attack - 1st swing-wing fighter in service
Switchblade, Switchblade Edsel, Widow Maker, Swing-Wing Coffin
12
F-117 Nighthawk, Black Jet, Lockheed 1982 tailless delta-shaped low-visibility("stealth")
Wobblin' Goblin, covert strike fighter
Stealth Fighter, Scorpion, Frisbee, Bat Plane, Ghost
FA-26 Invader Douglas 1946 photographic recon. A-26 (B-26) - redes. to RB-26
FB-29 Superfortress Boeing 1945 redesignated F-13
FB-111 Aardvark, Vark, G.D. 1967 strategic attack F-111 -
Switchblade, Switchblade Edsel, Widow incorrect designation; should be BF-11121
Maker, Swing-Wing Coffin
FB-111H Saber Penetrator G.D. 1987 proposed replacement for Stealth bomber -
replaced by B-1B and B-2
FG-1 Cornelius 1944 fuel glider with expendable fuel tank
FLB Gen. Airc. 1921 USCG research amphibian - later PJ
FM-1 Airacuda, Aerocuda Bell 1937 USAAC Fighter Multiplace - pusher with 2 gunner
pods on wings forward of each engine -
bomber destroyer
FM-2 Lockheed 1937 competitor FM-1
FP-51 Mustang North Amer. 1946 redes. F-6 - later RF-51
FP-61 Black Widow Northrop 1946 recon. P-61 - later RF-61
FP-80 Shooting Star Lockheed 1946 recon. P-80 - redes. F-14 - later RF-80
FP-87 Blackhawk Curtiss 1948 photographic recon. P-87 - later RF-87
FT Fokker 1923 USN torpedo bomber flying boat
FV-12 Rockwell 1972 USN experimental VATOL ground attack fighter
V-12
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