List of aircraft of the Royal Air Force

Many aircraft types have served in the Royal Air Force since it was formed in 1918 by the merger of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service. Here can be found a list of RAF aircraft, those types that have served and been retired by the RAF, and also those types that are currently in service. The aircraft are listed in alphabetic order of their RAF type name, and then in mark order within that type.

Refer to List of active United Kingdom military aircraft for current aircraft.

For aircraft operated before the merger of the RFC and RNAS:

• Refer to List of aircraft of the Royal Flying Corps
• Refer to List of aircraft of the Royal Naval Air Service.

Most of the alphanumeric codes in the Variants column are British military aircraft designations.

Regular service with the RAF

0-9

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Sopwith 1½ Strutter		fighter/bomber/reconnaissance	UK	1916-1918	Single-engined biplane
Bristol Type 138	A	high-altitude research	UK	1936-1937	Single-engined aircraft
BAe 146	CC1, CC2	VIP transport	UK	1986-Present	Four-engined jet
Short Type 184		floatplane bomber	UK	1918-1921	Single-engined biplane
Short Type 320		floatplane bomber	UK	1917-1918	Single-engined biplane
Avro 504	504K, 504N	bomber, reconnaissance and trainer	UK	1913-1933	Single-engined biplane

A

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
FBA Type A		patrol seaplane	France		Flying-boat
Agusta A109E		liaison helicopter	Italy		Twin-engined
Bell Airacobra	I	fighter	US		Single-engine monoplane
Armstrong Whitworth Ajax		trainer	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Fairey Albacore		torpedo-bomber	UK	1940–1944	Single-engined biplane
De Havilland Albatross		transport	UK	1938–1945	Four-engined monoplane
Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle	I, II, V, VI	bomber/transport	UK		Twin-engined monoplane
Avro Aldershot	III	heavy bomber	UK		Single-engined biplane
Avro Andover	Type 561 and Type 563	transport/ambulance	UK		biplane
Hawker Siddeley Andover	C1, CC2, E3	transport	UK		Twin-engined turboprop
Avro Anson	I, X, C11, XII, C19, T21	bomber, transport and trainer	UK	1936–1968	Twin-engined piston monoplane
Avro Athena	T2	trainer	UK		Single-engined monoplane
Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy	C1, E1	cargo/transport	UK		Four-engined turboprop monoplane
Fairchild Argus		light transport	US		Single-engined piston monoplane
Armstrong Whitworth Atlas		army co-operation	UK		Single-engined biplane
Hawker Audax		army co-operation	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Taylorcraft Auster	I, III, IV, V, AOP6, T7, Antarctic, AOP9, T10	army liaison	UK		Single-engined piston monoplane

B

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Sopwith Baby		scout floatplane	UK		Single-engined biplane
Boulton Paul Balliol	T2	trainer	UK		Single-engine monoplane
Martin Baltimore	I, II, III, IV, V	medium bomber	US		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Fairey Barracuda		dive bomber, torpedo bomber	UK		Single-engined
Beagle Basset	CC1	communications	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Fairey Battle	I, II, III, V	light bomber	UK		Single-engined monoplane
Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2	a, b, c, d, e, f g	reconnaissance	UK		Single-engined biplane
Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.12	a, b	fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Bristol Beaufighter	I,II,VI,X,XI	strike fighter, night fighter	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Bristol Beaufort	I,II	torpedo bomber	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Short Belfast	C1	cargo	UK		Four-engined turboprop monoplane
Bristol Belvedere	HC1	transport helicopter	UK		Twin-engined twin-rotor helicopter
Brewster Bermuda	Mk I	dive bomber	US		Single-engined monoplane
Blackburn Beverley	C1	cargo	UK		Four-engined piston monoplane
Avro Bison	I, IA, II	fleet spotter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Blackburn R.1 Blackburn	I, II	fleet spotter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Bristol Blenheim	I, IV,V	light bomber	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Bristol Bombay		medium bomber/ transport	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Douglas Boston	I, II, III, III (Turbinlite), IV, V	medium bomber/night fighter	US		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Blackburn Botha	I	torpedo bomber	UK		Twin-engined piston torpedo bomber
Bristol Brigand	TF1, B1, Met3, T5	torpedo fighter, medium bomber, naval strike, trainer	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Bristol F2b Fighter		two seat fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Bristol Britannia	C1, C2	passenger transport	UK		Four-engined turboprop airliner
Blackburn Buccaneer	S1, S2	naval strike	UK		Twin-engined jet
Bristol Buckingham	B1, C1	medium bomber, courier transport	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Bristol Buckmaster	T1	trainer	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Brewster Buffalo	I	fighter	US		Single-engined piston monoplane
Scottish Aviation Bulldog	T1	basic trainer	UK		Single-engined piston monoplane
Bristol Bulldog	I, II, IIA	fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Martinsyde Buzzard		fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane

C

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Cierva C.19		autogiro	UK		Experimental
Sopwith Camel	F.1, TF.1, 2F.1	fighter	UK		Single-engined biplane
Fairey Campania		reconnaissance	UK		Single-engine biplane
English Electric Canberra	B2, PR3, T4, B6, PR7, B(I)8, PR9, T11, B15, E15, B16, T17, TT18, T19	bomber, photo reconnaissance, trainer	UK		Twin-engined jet
Consolidated Catalina	I,II,III,IV	maritime reconnaissance	US		Twin-engined piston monoplane seaplane
Caproni Ca 62		bomber	Italy		Triplane trimotor
Boeing-Vertol Chinook	HC1, HC2, HC2A, HC3		US		Twin-engined turbine twin rotor heavy lift helicopter
De Havilland Canada Chipmunk	T10	trainer	CAN		Single-engined piston monoplane
De Havilland Cirrus Moth		trainer	UK		Single-engined communications biplane
Curtiss Cleveland	Mk I	dive-bomber	US		Single-engined biplane diverted from French orders
Handley Page Clive	I, II	Transport	UK		Twin engined biplane
Saro Cloud	I	Navigational trainer	UK		Twin Engined monoplane amphibian
De Havilland Comet	C2, C2(RC), C4	transport/reconnaissance	UK		Four-engined jet airliner
Wight Converted Seaplane		reconnaissance	UK		Single-engined piston patrol floatplane
Consolidated Coronado	I	Maritime reconnaissance	US		Four-engined piston flying-boat
Fairchild Cornell	I & II	trainer	US		Single-engined piston monoplane
Sopwith Cuckoo	T.1, I, II, III, B.I	torpedo bomber	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Curtiss JN 4		trainer	US		Single-engined piston biplane trainer
Curtiss H-16		reconnaissance	US		twin engine biplane flying boat
General Aircraft Cygnet II		trainer	UK		Single-engined tricycle undercarriage trainer

D

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Desoutter	I, II	Liaison	UK		Single piston engine high wing monoplane
Douglas Dakota	I, II, III, IV	Transport	US		Twin piston engine monoplane
Blackburn Dart		Torpedo-bomber	UK		Single piston engine biplane
Douglas DC-2		Transport	US		Twin piston engine monoplane
Boulton Paul Defiant	I, II, III	Turret Fighter	UK		Single piston engine monoplane
Hawker Demon	I	Fighter	UK		Single piston engine piston biplane
De Havilland Devon	C1, C2	Transport	UK		Twin piston engine monoplane, ret'd 1984
Airco DH.4		Bomber	UK		Single piston engine biplane
Airco DH 5		Fighter	UK		Single piston engined reverse staggered biplane
Airco DH.6		Trainer	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Airco/de Havilland DH.9	DH.9A	Bomber	UK		Single piston engine piston biplane
Airco DH.10	A	Bomber	UK		Twin piston engine biplane
Sopwith Dolphin	5F.1	Fighter	UK		Single piston engined biplane
de Havilland DH.89 Dominie	I, II	Transport and Navigation Trainer	UK		Twin piston engine biplane
Hawker Siddeley Dominie	T1	Navigation Trainer	UK		Twin-engine jet
De Havilland DH.93 Don		Communications/Liaison	UK		Single piston engined monoplane intended as trainer
De Havilland DH.84 Dragon		Transport	UK		Twin piston engined piston biplane
Sopwith Dragon		Fighter	UK		Single piston engined piston biplane developed from Sopwith Snipe
De Havilland DH.90 Dragonfly		Transport	UK		Twin piston engined light biplane
Westland Dragonfly	HC2	Helicopter	UK		Single piston engine

E

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Lockheed Model 10 Electra		Transport, reconnaissance	US		Twin-engined piston transport
Martinsyde Elephant		Fighter/bomber	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Armstrong Whitworth AW27 Ensign	I, II	Transport	UK		Four-engined piston transport
Airspeed Envoy	I, II, III	Transport	UK		Twin-engined piston transport
Beechcraft Expediter	I, II, III	Transport and trainer	US		Twin-engined piston transport and trainer
De Havilland DH.86 Express		Transport	UK		Four-engined piston biplane transport and trainer

F

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Fokker F.XXII		Transport	Netherlands		Four-engined transport
Fairey III	A, B, C, D, F	Fleet Spotter	UK		Single-engined piston reconnaissance biplane
Fairey Fawn	II, III	Light Bomber	UK		single-engined light bomber
Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2	a, b, d	Bomber	UK		Single-engined piston pusher biplane
Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.8		Scout	UK		Single-engined piston pusher biplane
Felixstowe F.2	F.3, F.5	Reconnaissance	UK		twin-engined reconnaissance flying boats
Airspeed Ferry		Transport	UK		three-engined biplane transport
Slingsby Firefly	T67M Mk II	Trainer	UK		Single-engined trainer aircraft
Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8		Artillery Spotter, Bomber	UK		Single-engined biplane general purpose aircraft
De Havilland Flamingo		Transport	UK		Twin-engined piston engine monoplane
Ford Trimotor	5-ATD	Transport	US		Tri-motor piston transport
Boeing Fortress	I, II, III	Bomber and Maritime Reconnaissance	US		Four-engined piston heavy bomber
Fairey Fox		Bomber	UK		Single-engined piston biplane bomber
De Havilland Fox Moth		Communications	UK		Single-engined piston communications
Fairey Fulmar	II	Fleet Fighter	UK		Single-engined piston carrier fighter
Hawker Fury	I, II	Fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter

G

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Gloster Gamecock	I		UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter
Gloster Gauntlet	I, II		UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter
Westland Gazelle	HT3, HCC4		UK		Single-engined light training and VIP helicopter
De Havilland Genet Moth			UK
De Havilland Gipsy Moth			UK		Single-engined piston biplane communications
Gloster Gladiator	I, II		UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III			US		Four-engined jet transport/cargo
Folland Gnat	T1		UK		Single-engined jet trainer
Grumman Goose			US		Twin-engined piston amphibian
Fairey Gordon	I, II		UK		Single-engined light bomber and trainer
Gloster Grebe	II		UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter
Bell Griffin	HT1, HAR2		Canada		Twin-engined turbo training and rescue helicopter
Percival Gull			UK		Single-engined piston communications

H

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Waco Hadrian			US		troop/cargo glider
Handley Page Halifax	I, II, III, V, VI, VII, A7, VIII, A9		UK		Four-engined piston heavy bomber
Fairey Hamble Baby			UK		Single-engined piston biplane seaplane
Hamble Baby Convert			UK
General Aircraft Hamilcar	I, X		UK		Transport glider
Handley Page Hampden	I		UK		Twin-engined piston light bomber
Hawker Hardy			UK		Single-engined piston biplane light bomber
Hawker Siddeley Harrier	GR1, T2, GR3, T4		UK		Single-engined jet vertical take off and landing ground attack
BAe/McDonnell Douglas Harrier II	GR5, GR7, GR7A, GR9, GR9A, T10		UK		Single-engined jet vertical take off and landing ground attack
Handley Page Harrow	I, II		UK		Twin-engined piston heavy bomber
Hawker Hart			UK		Single-engined piston biplane light bomber
North American Harvard	I, II, IIA, IIB, III		US		Single-engined piston trainer
Handley Page Hastings	C1, C2, C4, Met 1		UK		Four-engined piston transport
Douglas Havoc	I, I(Turbinlite), II, II (Turbinlite)		US		Twin-engined piston attack
British Aerospace Hawk	T1, T1A, T1W, T2		UK		Single-engined jet trainer
Miles Hawk Major			UK		Single-engined liaison and trainer
Miles Hawk Trainer			UK		Single-engined monoplane trainer
Parnall Heck	2C		UK		Single-engined piston communications
Hawker Hector			UK		Single-engined piston army co-operation biplane
Fairey Hendon	II		UK		Twin-engined monoplane night bomber
Handley Page Hendon	II, III		UK
Hawker Henley			UK		Single-engined piston target tug
Lockheed Hercules	C1, W2, C3, C4, C5		US		Four-engined turboprop transport
Handley Page Hereford			UK		Twin-engined piston medium bomber
De Havilland Heron	C4		UK		Four-engined piston communications
Handley Page Heyford	I, II, III		UK		Twin-engined piston biplane heavy bomber
Hiller HT2	HT2		US		Single-engined land rescue helicopter
Handley Page Hinaidi			UK		Twin-engined piston biplane heavy bomber
Hawker Hind			UK		Single-engined piston biplane light bomber
De Havilland Hornet	F1, F3		UK		Twin-engined piston fighter
De Havilland Hornet Moth			UK		Single-engined piston communications
Hawker Horsley			UK		Single-engined piston biplane medium bomber
De Havilland Hound			UK		Single-engined piston day bomber
Sikorsky Hoverfly	I, II		US		Single-engined piston basic helicopter
Handley Page H.P.42			UK		Four-engined biplane transport
Hawker Siddeley HS 125	CC1, CC2, CC3		UK		Twin-engined jet VIP transport
Lockheed Hudson	I, II, III, IV, V, VI		US		Twin-engined piston recce/bomber/transport
De Havilland Hummingbird			UK		Single-engined ultralight monoplane trainer
Hawker Hunter	F1, F2, F4, F5,F6, FGA9, FR10, T7		UK		Single-engined jet fighter/fighter-bomber
Hawker Hurricane	I, IIa,b,c, IV		UK/ Canada		Single-engined piston fighter
Beagle Husky			UK		Single-engined piston trainer
Handley Page Hyderabad			UK		twin-engined biplane heavy bomber

I

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Beardmore Inflexible			UK		Three-engined experimental transport
Blackburn Iris	III,V		UK		Three-engined piston biplane flying boat
Britten-Norman Islander	CC2, CC2A		UK		Twin-engined communications aircraft

J

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
SEPECAT Jaguar	GR1, GR1A, GR1B, T2, GR3, GR3A, T4		UK	1974-2007	Twin-engined jet ground-attack
Gloster Javelin	FAW1, FAW2, FAW3, FAW5, FAW6, FAW7, FAW8, FAW9		UK		Twin-engined jet fighter/interceptor
BAC Jet Provost	T1, T3, T3A, T4, T5, T5A		UK		Single-engined jet trainer
Scottish Aviation Jetstream	T1		UK		Twin-engined turboprop multi-engine trainer

K

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Blackburn Kangaroo			UK		Twin-engined piston biplane bomber
Hawker Siddeley Kestrel	F(GA)1		UK		Single-engined fighter, ground-attack aircraft
Beechcraft Super King Air			US		Twin-engined turboprop multi-engine trainer
Curtiss Kittyhawk	I, II, III, IV		US		Single-engined piston fighter

L

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Avro Lancaster	I, PR1, II, III, GR, ASR3, VI, VII, B7, X	Heavy Bomber	UK/ Canada		Four-engined piston heavy bomber		Avro Lancastrian	C2		UK		Four-engined piston transport
Saro Lerwick	I		UK		Twin-engined piston flying boat
De Havilland Leopard Moth			UK		Single-engined piston communications
Consolidated Liberator	I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX		US		Four-engined, piston bomber
English Electric Lightning	F1, F1A, F2, F2A, F3, F6		UK		Twin-engined jet fighter/interceptor
Lockheed Lightning	Mk I		US		Twin-engined piston fighter aircraft
Avro Lincoln	B2		UK		Four-engined piston heavy bomber
Lockheed 12			US		Twin-engined piston transport
Lockheed 14			US		Twin-engined piston transport
Lockheed Lodestar			US		Twin-engined, piston transport
Saro London	I, II		UK		Twin-engined biplane flying boat
Fairey Long-Range Monoplane			UK		Single-engined long-range aircraft
Westland Lysander	I, II, III		UK		Single-engined piston liaison

M

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Bristol M.1	M.1C		UK		Single-engined fighter-scout aircraft
Miles Magister			UK		Single-engined piston trainer
Avro Manchester	I, IA		UK		Twin-engined heavy bomber
Handley Page Marathon	T11		UK		Four-engined piston navigation trainer
Martin Marauder	I, II, III		US		Twin-engined, piston light attack/bomber
Martin Mariner	I		US		Twin-engined piston maritime patrol
Miles Martinet			UK		Single-engined piston target tug
Martinsyde S1			UK		single-seat biplane scout/fighter
Martinsyde G.100			UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter-bomber
Martinsyde G.102			UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter-bomber
Martin Maryland			US		Twin-engined piston light bomber
Miles Master	I, II, III		UK		Single-engined piston trainer
Miles Mentor			UK		Single-engined training and communications
Miles Messenger	I		UK		Single-engined piston liaison
European Helicopter Industries Merlin	HC3, HC3A		UK		Three-engined helicopter transport
Gloster Meteor	I, III, F3, F4, F8, FR9, PR10, NF11, NF12, NF13, NF14		UK		Twin-engined jet fighter
North American Mitchell	II, III		US		Twin-engined, piston medium bomber
Curtiss Mohawk	I, II, III, IV		US		Single-engined, piston fighter
Morane-Saulnier BB			France		Single-engined reconnaissance biplane
Morane-Saulnier H			France		Single-engined reconnaissance monoplane
Morane-Saulnier I			France		Single-engine midwing monoplane scout
Morane-Saulnier Type L			France		Single-engined reconnaissance parasol monoplane
Morane LA			France		Single engine parasol reconnaissance monoplane
Morane-Saulnier Type N			France		Single-engined monoplane fighter
Morane-Saulnier Type P			France		Single-engined reconnaissance monoplane
Morane-Saulnier V			France
De Havilland Mosquito	II, IV, VI, VII, IX, XII, XIII, XV, XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX, XX, B20, XXV, B25, FB26, XXX, NF30, XXXII, XXXIV, PR34, XXXV, B35, PR35, XXXVI, NF36		UK		Twin-engined piston medium bomber
De Havilland Moth & Moth Major(DH 60)			UK		Trainer
de Havilland DH.94 Moth Minor			UK		Single-engined two-seat liaison aircraft
North American Mustang	I, II, III, IV		US	Single-engined, piston fighter

N

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Lockheed Neptune	MR1		US		Twin-engined piston maritime patrol
Nieuport Nighthawk			UK		(trial only)
Miles Nighthawk			UK		Trainer
Gloster Nightjar			UK		Carrier-based fighter
BAE Nimrod	MR1, MR2, R1, AEW3		UK		Four-engined jet maritime patrol
Northrop Nomad	Mk I		US		Single-engined attack aircraft
Northrop N-3PB			US		Single-engined piston float plane
Norman Thompson N.T.2B			UK		Single-engined piston trainer flying-boat
Norman Thompson NT 4			UK		Twin-engined maritime-patrol flying boat

O

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Handley Page O/100			UK		Twin-engined biplane bomber
Handley Page O/400			UK		Twin-engined biplane bomber
Boulton Paul Overstrand			UK		Twin-engined medium bomber
General Aircraft GAL.45 Owlet			UK		Single-engined tri-cycle undercarriage trainer
Airspeed Oxford	I, II, V		UK		Twin-engined piston trainer

P

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Parnall Panther			UK		reconnaissance aircraft
Hunting Percival Pembroke	C1, C(PR)1		UK		Twin-engined light transport
Blackburn Perth			UK		Triple-engined piston biplane flying boat
Percival Petrel			UK		twin-engined piston communications
McDonnell Douglas Phantom	FG1, FGR2, F-4J[UK]		US		Twin-engined jet fighter
Heston Phoenix			UK		Single-engined piston communications
Scottish Aviation Pioneer	CC1		UK		Single-engined piston liaison
Taylorcraft Plus	C, C2, D		UK		Single-engine piston air observation post and liaison
Avro Prefect			UK		Single-engined multi-purpose trainer biplane
Percival Prentice	T1		UK		Single-engined piston trainer
Percival Proctor	I, II, III, IV		UK		Single-engined piston communications
Percival Provost	T1		UK		Single-engined piston trainer
Westland/Aérospatiale Puma	HC1		UK		Twin-engined transport helicopter
Sopwith Pup			UK		Single-engined piston biplane fighter
De Havilland Puss Moth			UK		Single-engined piston communications

Q

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
De Havilland Queen Bee		Pilotless target drone	UK		Single-engined biplane
Airspeed Queen Wasp		Pilotless target drone	UK		Single-engined biplane
Percival Q.6		Communications transport	UK		twin-engined piston monoplane

R

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Short R.24/31 Knuckleduster		Maritime patrol	UK		Twin-engined gull wing monoplane flying boat
Short Rangoon		Maritime patrol	UK		Three-engined biplane flying boat
Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8		Artillery spotting and reconnaissance	UK		Single-engined biplane
Vultee-Stinson Reliant		trainer	US		Single-engined piston monoplane
Blackburn Roc	I	naval fighter, target tug,	UK	1939-1943	Single-engined piston
Avro Rota	I		UK		Autogyro

S

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Supermarine S.5		Schneider racer	UK		Single-engined floatplane
Supermarine S.6	S.6, S.6A, S.6B	Schneider racer	UK		Single-engined floatplane
Canadair Sabre (F-86 variant)	F4	fighter	Canada		Single-engined jet
Sopwith Salamander		Trench fighter (ground attack)	UK		Single-engined biplane
Saro A7		maritime patrol	UK		Tri-motor biplane flying boat, 1 built
Supermarine Scapa		General reconnaissance	UK		Twin-engined piston biplane flying boat
Short Scion Senior		Transport	UK		four-engined piston monoplane floatplane/landplane
Nieuport Scout	17, 24bis, 27	Fighter	France		Single-engined piston biplane
Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5	S.E.5, S.E.5a, S.E.5b	Fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Short Seaford		Maritime patrol	UK		Four-engined piston flying boat (trials only)
Gloster Sea Gladiator	I	Fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Westland Sea King	HAR3, HAR3A	Air sea rescue helicopter	UK		Twin-engined rescue helicopter
Fairey Seal		Fleet spotter	UK	1933-1943	Single-engined piston biplane
Supermarine Sea Otter	I, II	Air sea rescue, fleet spotting and communications	UK		Single-engined piston biplane flying boat
Raytheon Sentinel	R1	airborne battlefield and ground surveillance platform	Canada		twin engined jet
Stinson Sentinel	I, II	Liaison	US		Single-engined piston monoplane
Boeing Sentry	AEW1	Airborne early warning/AWACS	US		Four-engined jet
Avro Shackleton	MR1, MR2, AEW2, MR3, T4	Maritime patrol, airborne early warning	UK		Four-engined piston monoplane
Blackburn Shark	I, II, III	Torpedo bomber	UK	1936-1942	Single-engined piston biplane
Boulton Paul Sidestrand	I, II, III, V	Medium bomber	UK		Twin-engined piston biplane
Short Singapore	II, III	Maritime patrol	UK		Four-engined piston biplane flying boat
Armstrong Whitworth Siskin	III, IIIA, IIIDC	Fighter, trainer	UK	1924-1932	Single-engined piston biplane
Westland Sioux	HT2	Training helicopter	UK		Single-engined helicopter
Saro Skeeter	AOP.10, T.11, AOP.12, T.13	Training and air observation platform (scout) helicopter	UK		Helicopter
Blackburn Skua	I, II	Fighter/dive-bomber	UK	1938-1945	Single-engined piston monoplane
Douglas Skymaster	I	Transport	US		Four-engined piston monoplane
Savoia-Marchetti S.73P		Transport (captured)	Italy		Three-engined piston monoplane
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79K		Medium bomber (captured)	Italy		Three-engined monoplane
Sopwith Snipe		Fighter	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Supermarine Southampton		reconnaissance flying boat	UK		Twin-engined piston biplane
SPAD S.XIII		fighter	France		Single-engined piston biplane
Supermarine Spitfire	C, D, I, II, IV, V, VI, PR VII, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIV, 14, XVI, 16, XVIII, 18, XIX, PR19, F21, F22	fighter, photo reconnaissance	UK		Single-engined piston monoplane
Supermarine Spiteful	F14, F15, F16	fighter	UK		Single-engined piston monoplane
Eurocopter Squirrel	HT1	training helicopter	France		Single-engine single rotor helicopter
Stampe SV.4B		training/liaison	Belgium		Single-engined biplane
Short Stirling	I, III, IV, V	heavy bomber/transport	UK		Four-engined piston monoplane
Supermarine Stranraer		maritime patrol	UK/CAN		Twin-engined piston biplane flying boat
Short Sunderland	I, II, III, V, GR5	maritime patrol	UK		Four-engined piston monoplane flying boat
Supermarine Swift	F1, F2, FR5		UK		Single-engined jet fighter
Fairey Swordfish	I, II, III, IV	torpedo-bomber	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Bristol Sycamore	HC11, HC12, HC13, HC14	communications helicopter	UK		Single-rotor helicopter

T

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Fokker T.VIII	T-VIIIW	reconnaissance floatplane	Netherlands		Twin-engined monoplane
Hawker Tempest	II, F2, V, VI, F6	fighter	UK		Single-engined piston monoplane
Republic Thunderbolt	I, II	fighter	US		Single-engined piston monoplane
De Havilland Tiger Moth	I, II	trainer	UK		Single-engined (piston) biplane
Curtiss Tomahawk	I, II	fighter	US		Single-engined
Hawker Tomtit		trainer	UK		Single-engined piston biplane
Panavia Tornado	GR1, GR1A, GR1B GR4, GR4A, F2, F3	fighter/bomber	UK		Twin-engined jet
Beech Traveller	I	light transport	US		Twin-engined piston cabin biplane
Lockheed TriStar	C1, KC1, K1, C2, C2A	transport/tanker	US		Three-engined jet
Shorts Tucano	T1	trainer	UK		Single-engined turboprop monoplane
Avro Tutor	I	trainer	UK		Single-engined biplane
Grob Tutor	T1	trainer	Germany		Single-engined piston monoplane
Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer	CC1, CC2	transport	UK		Twin-engined piston monoplane
Eurocopter Twin Squirrel	HCC1	transport and communications helicopter	France		Twin-engined helicopter
Hawker Typhoon	I	fighter	UK		Single-engined piston
Eurofighter Typhoon	T1, F2, T3, FGR4	fighter	UK		Twin-engined jet

V

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Handley Page V/1500			UK		Four-engined (piston) heavy bomber
Vickers Valentia			UK		Twin-engined piston biplane flying boat
Vickers Valetta	C1		UK		Twin-engined (piston) transport
Vickers Valiant	B1, B1(K), B(PR)1, B(PR)K1		UK		Four-engined strategic bomber
De Havilland Vampire	F1, F3, FB5, FB9, NF 10, T.11		UK		Single-engined jet fighter
Vickers Varsity	T1		UK		Twin-engined (piston) crew trainer
Vickers VC10	C1, C1(K), K2, K3, K4		UK		Four-engined jet transport / tanker
Percival Vega Gull			UK		Single-engined communications
Vultee Vengeance	I, II, III, IV		US		Single-engined dive bomber
de Havilland Venom	FB1, NF2, NF3, FB4		UK		Single-engined jet night fighter
Lockheed Ventura	I, II, V		US		Twin-engined (piston) bomber and patrol aircraft
Vickers Vernon			UK		Twin-engined biplane transport
Handley Page Victor	B1, B1A, K1, K1A, B2, B2R, B2(SR), K2		UK		Four-engined jet strategic bomber
Vickers Victoria			UK		Twin-engined biplane transport
Stinson Vigilant	I, II		US		Single-engined light observation
Vickers Viking			UK		Single-engined amphibious aircraft
Vickers VC.1 Viking	C2		UK		Twin-engined VIP transport aircraft
Vickers Vildebeest	I, II, III, IV		UK		Single-engined light and torpedo bomber
Vickers Vimy			UK		Twin-engined biplane heavy bomber
Vickers Vincent			UK		Single-engined light and torpedo bomber
Vickers Virginia	II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, X		UK		Twin-engined biplane heavy bomber
Airbus Voyager			EU		Tanker/Transport
Avro Vulcan	B1, B1A, B2, B2A, B2(MAA), B2(K)		UK		Four-engined jet strategic bomber

W

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Westland Wallace			UK		Single-engined general purpose
Westland Walrus			UK		Single-engined fleet-reconnaissance aircraft
Supermarine Walrus			UK		Single-engined reconnaissance amphibian
Westland Wapiti			UK		Single-engined general purpose biplane
Vickers Warwick	I, III, V		UK		Twin-engined bomber and maritime patrol
Boeing Washington	B1		US		Four-engined (piston) strategic bomber
Westland Welkin			UK		Twin-engined heavy fighter
Vickers Wellesley			UK		Single-engined light bomber
Vickers Wellington	I, II, III, IV, VI, VIII, X, XI, XIII, XIV, XVI		UK		Twin-engined medium bomber
Westland Wessex			UK		radio and navigator training
Westland Wessex	HC2, HAR2, HCC4, HU5C		UK		Twin-engined transport helicopter
Westland Whirlwind	I		UK		Twin-engined heavy fighter
Westland Whirlwind	HAR2, HAR4, HAR10, HCC12		UK		Single-engined helicopter
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley	I, II, III, IV, V, VII		UK		Twin-engined medium bomber
Miles Whitney Straight	A, B		UK		Single-engined communications
Foster Wikner Warferry			UK		Single-engined communications monoplane
Hawker Woodcock	II		UK		Single-engined night fighter

Y

Model	Variants	Role	Origin	Service period	Notes
Avro York	CI, CII	Transport	UK		four-engined piston monoplane
North American Yale		Trainer	US		2-seat single-engine piston monoplane, ex-French NA-57 & NA-64, sent to Canada

Civil Aircraft Impressed Into RAF Service 1939-1945

• Aeronca 50 Chief - One impressed into service with the RAF in India.
• Airspeed AS 5 Courier - Nine impressed into service.
• Airspeed AS 6 Envoy - Two impressed into service.
• Airspeed Ferry - One impressed into service, used by the Hilton, Station Flight.
• Armstrong Whitworth Atlanta - Five impressed into service with No. 31 Squadron in India and Iraq.
• Armstrong Whitworth Ensign - Two impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron.
• Avro 504N - Seven impressed into service, used for glider tug duties.
• Avro 642/4m Eighteen - One impressed into service.
• Avro 652 - Two impressed into service, used for navigation training duties.
• Avro Cadet - Thirty-two impressed into service with No. 3 EFTS at Hamble and Watchfield.
• Avro Commodore - One impressed into service, used by Communications Flight at Cranfield.
• Avro 619 Five - One impressed into service with No. 11 AONS at Hamble.
• Beech 17 Traveller - Four impressed into service.
• Bellanca Pacemaker - One impressed into service.
• British Aircraft Double Eagle. Two impressed into service.
• British Aircraft Eagle - Four impressed into service.
• British Aircraft Swallow - Nine impressed into service, some converted into gliders.
• British Aircraft Company Drone - One impressed into service with No. 608 Squadron.
• Blackburn B-2 - Thirty-one impressed into service with No. 4 EFTS at Brough.
• Boeing 247D - One impressed into service with the Telecommunications Research Establishment.
• Cessna 165 Airmaster - One impressed into service, used by Station Flight, Hucknall.
• Cierva C.30A Rota Mk I- Five impressed into service with No. 529 Squadron.
• Cierva C.40 Rota Mk II - Two impressed into service.
• Comper Swift - Two impressed into service, one used by No. 25 Squadron and the other by No. 247 Squadron.
• Curtiss T-32 Condor II - Four impress into service.
• De Havilland DH.86B - Two impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron RAF.
• De Havilland Albatross - Two impressed into service with No. 271 Squadron.
• De Havilland Dragon - Eleven impressed into service.
• De Havilland Dragon Rapide - Forty impressed into service.
• De Havilland Flamingo - Three impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron.
• De Havilland Fox Moth - Two impressed into service.
• De Havilland Gipsy Moth - Thirty-seven impressed into service.
• De Havilland Hornet Moth - Sixty-four impressed int service.
• De Havilland Moth Minor - Twenty-six impressed into service, used for glider tug duties.
• De Havilland Leopard Moth - Forty-one impressed for communications duties.
• De Havilland Puss Moth - Twenty-one impressed for communications duties.
• De Havilland Tiger Moth - More than 160 impressed into service.
• Desoutter Mk I and Mk II - Three impressed into service.
• Douglas DC-2 - Nineteen impressed into service with No. 31 Squadron in India, Iraq and Burma.
• Douglas DC-3 - Ten impressed into service with No. 31 Squadron, plus two ex-SABENA aircraft used by No. 24 Squadron.
• Fairchild 24 - Two impressed into service, used by Communications Flight Halton.
• Fairchild 91 - One impressed into service, used for air sea search and rescue in the Middle East.
• Focke-Wulf FW 200 Condor - One ex-Danish civil aircraft, Impressed into service with the ACA.
• Fokker F.XXII - Two former Dutch civil aircraft impressed into service, used by No. 1 AONS at Prestwick for navigation training.
• Fokker F.XXXVI - One ex-KLM aircraft impressed into service, used by No. 1 AONS at Prestwick.
• Ford Trimotor - One impressed into service with No. 271 Squadron.
• Foster Wikner Warferry - Three impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron, Communications Flight at Cranwell and Northolt.
• General Aircraft Cagnet - One impressed into service with the School of Army Co-operation.
• General Aircraft Cygnet - Five impressed into service with No. 23, 24, 85, 88 and 510 Squadrons.
• General Aircraft Monospar ST-4 - Three impressed into service.
• General Aircraft Monospar ST-6 - One impressed into service with No. 8 ACCU.
• General Aircraft Monospar ST-10 - One impressed into service with No. 8 ACCU.
• General Aircraft Monospar ST-12 - Two impressed into service with Nos 7 and 8 AACU.
• General Aircraft ST-25 Jubilee - Four impressed into service.
• General Aircraft ST-25 Universal - Nine impressed into service.
• General Aircraft Owlet - One impressed into service with Nos 23 and 605 Squadrons.
• Grumman Widgeon - One impressed into with the RAF in West Africa.
• Handley Page HP.42 - Three impressed into service with No. 271 Squadron.
• Harlow PC-5A - Five impressed into service with the RAF in India.
• Heston Phoenix - Three impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron.
• Koolhoven F.K.43 - Former Dutch civil aircraft, one impressed into service.
• Lockheed Model 10 Electra - Three impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron.
• Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior - One impressed into service with No. 24 squadron.
• Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun - Three impressed into service, used by Station Flights at Abingdon, Andover and Northolt.
• Miles Falcon - Three impressed into service., used by Station Flights at Heston, Northot and Sealand.
• Miles Hawk Major -Four impressed into service.
• Miles Hawk Trainer - Eight impressed into service with No. 8 EFTS.
• Miles Mohawk - One impressed into service.
• Miles Monarch - Four impressed into service, used by Abingdon and Halton Communications Flights.
• Miles Whitney Straight - Twenty impressed into service.
• Parnall Heck IIC - One impressed into service, used by Communications Flight at Turnhouse.
• Parnall Heck III - One impressed into service with No. 24 Squadron.
• Percival Gull - Two impressed into service.
• Percival Petrel - Nine impressed into service.
• Percival Vega Gull - Seventeen impressed into service.
• Piper J-4 Cub Coupe - Fifteen impressed into service.
• Saro Cutty Sark - Two impressed into service with No. 3 ERFTS.
• Savoia-Marchetti S.73 - Seven ex-SABENA aircraft impressed into service with Nos 24 and 271 Squadrons.
• Short Empire - Four impressed into service with Nos 119 and 413 squadrons.
• Short G-class - Three impressed into service with No. 119 Squadron.
• Short Mercury - One impressed into service with No. 320 Squadron.
• Short Scion - Elevn impressed into service.
• Short Scion Senior - One impressed into service with No. 173 Squadron.
• Spartan Cruiser - Three impressed into service with No. 6 and 7 AACU.
• Spartan Executive - One impressed into service with No. 1 PRU.
• Stampe SV.4 - One impressed into service with No. 510 Squadron.
• Stinson Reliant - Fourteen impressed into service.
• Stinson Voyager - Two impressed into service.
• Taylorcraft Auster Plus C - Eighteen impressed into service.
• Taylorcraft Auster Plus D - Five impressed into service.
• Tipsy B - One aircraft impressed into service with No. 15(P) AFU.
• Tipsy Trainer - Five impressed into service.
• Westland Wessex - One impressed into service.
• Zlin 212 - One impressed into service with the RAF in India.

Military Aircraft Impressed Into RAF Service 1939-1946

• Bucker Bu 181 Bestmann - About 70 captured Luftwaffe aircraft were impressed into service with RAF, entering service with the RAF in Germany, immediately after the war in Europe. Used for communications and light transport duties between 1945 and 1946.
• Caudron Simoun - Two ex-French aircraft impressed into service with the RAF, one with No.267 Squadron.
• Caproni Ca.148 - One captured Italian aircraft, impressed into service with the Khartoum Communications Flight in 1940, later with No. 117 Squadron RAF.
• Dewoitine D.520 - Three French aircraft were flown to the United Kingdom in 1940.
• Dornier Do 17Ka - Two ex-Yugoslav aircraft were impressed into service with the RAF in Egypt in 1941.
• Dornier Do 22Kj - Eight ex-Yugoslav aircraft were impressed into service with the RAF in Egypt. Used by No. 2 (Yugoslav) Squadron under the control of No. 230 Squadron. Used for anti-submarine patrol duties between 1941 and 1942.
• Fieseler Fi 156 Storch - About 50 captured Luftwaffe aircraft were impressed into service with RAF. Operated by the RAF in the United Kingdom and Europe between 1939 and 1946. Used for communications and reconnaissance duties.
• Focke-Wulf Fw 58 - About nine captured Luftwaffe aircraft were impressed into service with the RAF. Used for communications duties between 1945 and 1946.
• Heinkel He 115 - Four Royal Norwegian Naval Air Service examples flown to the UK in June 1940. The aircraft were operated by the Royal Norwegian Navy flight between 1940 and 1943. The aircraft were used for clandestine and covert operations.
• Junkers Ju 52/3m - About 70 captured Luftwaffe aircraft were impressed into service, entering service with the RAF in Germany, immediately after the war in Europe. Used for communications and transport duties between 1945 and 1946.
• Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 - A few French aircraft were impressed into service with the RAF in Egypt. The aircraft were used by No. 2 French (Fighter) Flight between 1940 and 1942.
• Potez 29 - Two aircraft were impressed into service with the RAF in 1940.
• Potez 63 - Six aircraft were impressed into service with the RAF in 1940. Operated by No. 2 French (Fighter) Flight between 1940 and 1941.
• Rogojarski SIM-XIV-H Series 1 - One ex-Yugoslav aircraft impressed into service with the RAF in Egypt. Used by No. 2 (Yugoslav) Squadron.
• Savoia-Marchetti SM.79K Sparviero - Four ex-Yugoslav SM.79s were impressed into service with the RAF, one with No. 2 PRU and three with No. 117 Squadron. In service from 1941 to 1942.
• Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 - Two captured enemy were impressed into service with the RAF in Germany. Used for communications and transport duties between 1945 and 1946.
• Siebel Si 204 - About 65 captured Luftwaffe aircraft were impressed into service, entering service with the RAF in Germany, immediately after the war in Europe. Used for communications and light transport duties between 1945 and 1946.

Captured or Interned

Captured or interned examples of the following aircraft were at one time flown by either the RAF or more normally by the Royal Aircraft Establishment for evaluation.

Argentine Aircraft

• FMA IA 58 Pucara, two Argentinian aircraft captured during the Falklands War. Now on display at the RAF Museum Cosford and at the North East Aircraft Museum.

German Aircraft 1918-1919

• Fokker D.VII
• Halberstadt D.III

German Aircraft 1938-1947

• Arado Ar 96
• Arado Ar 196
• Arado Ar 232
• Arado Ar 234 Blitz
• Blohm & Voss BV 138
• Blohm & Voss BV 155
• Blohm & Voss BV 222 Wiking - German-built six-engined flying boat.
• Brunswick LF-1 Zaunkonig
• Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann
• Bücker Bü 180 Student
• Bücker Bü 181 Bestmann
• Dornier Do 17
• Dornier Do 24 - German-built single-engined floatplane
• Dornier Do 217
• Dornier Do 335 Pfeil
• DFS 228
• Fieseler Fi 103
• Fieseler Fi 156 Storch
• Flettner Fl 282 Kolibri
• Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drache
• Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 Bachsteltze
• Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihe
• Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu
• Focke-Wulf Fw 190
• Focke-Wulf Ta 152
• Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor German-built four-engined transport monoplane (one former Danish civil aircraft impressed)
• Gotha Go 145
• Gotha Go 150
• Heinkel He 59
• Heinkel He 111
• Heinkel He 115
• Heinkel He 162 Salamander
• Heinkel He 177A-5 Greif - German bomber
• Heinkel He 219 Uhu
• Henschel Hs 129
• Henschel Hs 130
• Horten Ho IV
• Horten Ho 229
• Junkers Ju 52/3m- DE
• Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
• Junkers Ju 88 - DE
• Junkers Ju 188
• Junkers Ju 290
• Junkers Ju 352 Herkules - three captured in 1945.
• Junkers Ju 388 - one captured in 1945
• Junkers W 34
• Klemm Kl 35
• Messerschmitt Aldon (Bf 108) - DE
• Messerschmitt Bf 109E F G - DE
• Messerschmitt Bf 110C - DE
• Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
• Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe
• Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant
• Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse
• Siebel Fh 104 Hallore
• Siebel Si 204

Italian Aircraft 1939-1945

• Caproni Ca.100
• Caproni Ca.101
• Caproni Ca.148
• Caproni Ca 309
• Caproni Ca.311
• Caproni-Campini CC.2
• Cant Z.501
• Cant Z.506
• Fiat CR.42 Falco
• Fiat G.12
• Fiat G.50
• Fiat G.55
• Macchi MC.200 Saetta
• Macchi MC.202
• Saiman 200
• Saiman 202
• Savoia-Marchetti SM.73
• Savoia-Marchetti SM.79
• Savoia-Marchetti SM.81
• Savoia-Marchetti SM.82
• Savoia-Marchetti SM.95

Japanese Aircraft 1939-1945

• Kawasaki Ki-48
• Kawasaki Ki-61
• Kawasaki Ki-100
• Kawanishi H6K
• Kyushu K9W
• Mitsubishi A6M Zero
• Mitsubishi G4M
• Mitsubishi J2M
• Mitsubishi Ki-21
• Mitsubishi Ki-46
• Mitsubishi Ki-67
• Nakajima A6M2-N
• Nakajima L2D
• Nakajima Ki-43
• Nakajima Ki-44
• Ohka
• Tachikawa Ki-36
• Tachikawa Ki-54
• Tachikawa Ki-55

Schneider Trophy Seaplanes

• Fairey Flycatcher Seaplane
• Fairey Firefly IIM Seaplane
• Fairey Fleetwing
• Gloster I Seaplane
• Gloster III Seaplane
• Gloster IV Seaplane
• Gloster VI Golden Arrow
• Short Crusader
• Supermarine S.5
• Supermarine S.6
• Supermarine S.6B

Training gliders

The following Gliders are or were flown by RAF training squadrons:

• Slingsby Cadet TX.1 - Single-seat training glider
• Slingsby Cadet TX.2 - Single-seat training glider
• Slingsby Sedbergh TX.1 - Two-seat training glider
• Slingsby Prefect TX.1 - Single-seat training glider
• Slingsby Cadet TX.3 - Two-seat training glider
• Slingsby Grasshopper TX.1 - Primary Glider
• Slingsby T.45 Swallow - Single-seat Glider
• Slingsby T.53B
• Slingsby Venture T.2 - Two-seat self launching motor glider
• Elliotts Eton TX.1 - Primary glider
• Grob Viking TX.1 - German built training glider
• Grob Vigilant T.1 - German built self Launching motor glider
• Schempp-Hirth Janus C - German built training sailplane
• Schleicher Valiant TX.1 - German built sailplane
• Schleicher Vanguard TX.1 - German built training glider

Airships and Balloons

• Barrage balloons
• R23X class airship
• SST class blimp

UAVs and Drones

• Airspeed Queen Wasp - target drone
• de Havilland Queen Bee - target drone
• GAF Jindivik - Target drone
• General Atomics Reaper - ISTAR
• Miles Queen Martinet
• Target Technology Banshee
• Target Technology Imp

References

• Halley, James J. The Squadrons of the Royal Air Force & Commonwealth 1918-1988. Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air Britain (Historians) Ltd., 1988. ISBN 0-85130-164-9.
• Jefford, Wing Commander C.G., MBE, BA, RAF(Retd.). RAF Squadrons, a Comprehensive record of the Movement and Equipment of all RAF Squadrons and their Antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Airlife Publishing, 1988 (second edition 2001). ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
• Moyes, Philip J.R. Bomber Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald and Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 2nd edition 1976. ISBN 0-354-01027-1.
• Rawlings, John D.R. Coastal, Support and Special Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Jane's Publishing Company Ltd., 1982. ISBN 0-7106-0187-5.
• Rawlings, John D.R. Fighter Squadrons of the RAF and their Aircraft. London: Macdonald & Jane's (Publishers) Ltd., 1969 (2nd edition 1976, reprinted 1978). ISBN 0-354-01028-X.

External links

• RAF Museum collection by type
• List of aircraft types and details