Spanish Military Aircraft Designations

Copyright © 2001-2007 Andreas Parsch

1 Spanish Aircraft Designation System

2 Designation Listing

1 Spanish Aircraft Designation System

The Spanish aircraft designation system is similar in concept to the U.S. one. It has been in use since the end of WW II.

Examples: C E . 14 C
T . 19 B
T K . 10
X E . 25
(5) (1) (3) (2) (4)

The basic designation consists of a mission/type letter (1) and a sequence number (2). As in the US system, a separate numerical sequence is used for each mission/type letter. Note the use of a dot "." instead of a dash "-" to separate mission/type letter and sequence number. The following mission/type letters are currently used:

The following mission letters were previously defined, but are no longer used:

The optional letter (3) is the equivalent of the U.S. system's "modified mission symbol", e.g. a two-seat training ("E") version of a fighter ("C") is designated as "CE". Other than in the U.S. system, the modified mission letter is inserted behind the type letter. The letters are the same as those in the above mission letter listing, with the addition of

The suffix letter (4) is optional and indicates a modification. The letters are assigned alphabetically. This is also very similar to the U.S. system, except that the first version apparently uses no suffix, and the first modification gets suffix "A".

(5) There are a few designations with an "X" prefix. This indicates an experimental or projected model.

2 Designation Listing

The list shows only the basic type/number assignments, and no modified mission letters (e.g. it mentions only "C.16" for the Typhoon, but not the "CE.16" designation of the two-seat version). The only exception to this are designations, which are always used with a modifier letter (e.g. current helicopter designations).

A - Asalto (Ground Attack)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
A.1 Heinkel He 51B-1
A.2 Heinkel He 45C
A.3 Caproni Ca.310
A.4 Polikarpov I-15

A - Anfibio (Amphibian)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
AD.1 Grumman HU-16 Albatross

A - Ataque (Attack)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
(A.1 ... A.8) Not assigned
A.9 Northrop F-5 (C.9 redesignated)
A.10 Hispano HA-220 Saeta (C.10 redesignated)

B - Bombardero (Bomber)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
B.1 SIAI SM.79-I
B.2 CASA Model 2-111; Spanish version of Heinkel He 111B/E/H
B.3 Fiat BR.20
B.4 Junkers Ju 86D-1
B.5 Tupolev SB-2
B.6 Junkers Ju 88A-4
B.7 CASA Model 2-111A; Spanish version of Heinkel He 111H-16 (became B.2)

BV - Bombardero Vertical (Dive Bomber)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
BV.1 Henschel Hs 123A-1

C - Caza (Fighter) - First Series, 1945-53

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
C.1 Fiat CR.32
C.2 Hawker Spanish Fury
C.3 Heinkel He 112B-0
C.4 Messerschmitt Bf 109B
C.5 Messerschmitt Bf 109E
C.6 Fiat G.50 (became C.2 in second C series)
C.7 IMAM Ro-41
C.8 Polikarpov I-16
C.9 Polikarpov I-15bis
C.10 Messerschmitt Bf 109F
C.11 Arado Ar 68E-1
C.12 Messerschmitt Bf 109G
C.13 Hispano HA 1109J-1L
C.14 Hispano HA 1109J
C.15 Hispano HA-300 (became C.6 in second C series)

C - Caza (Fighter) - Second Series, since 1953

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
C.1 Fiat CR.32
C.2 Fiat G.50 (was C.6 in first C series)
C.3 Heinkel He 112B-0
C.4 Hispano HA 1109/1110/1112; Spanish version of Messerschmitt Bf 109
C.5 North American F-86F Sabre
C.6 Hispano HA-300; not built, number reused (was C.15 in first C series)
C.6 North American T-6 Texan (armed version)
C.7 CASA/Heinkel CH-101; project only, not built
C.8 Lockheed F-104G Starfighter
C.9 Northrop F-5 (became A.9)
C.10 Hispano HA-220 Saeta (became A.10)
C.11 Dassault Mirage III
C.12 McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II
(C.13) Not assigned ("unlucky 13" was not used)
C.14 Dassault Mirage F.1CE
C.15 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
C.16 Eurofighter Typhoon

D - Salvamento (Rescue)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
DR.1 Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina
D.2 Fokker F.27MPA
D.3 CASA Model 212 Aviocar
D.4 CASA/IPTN CN-235

E - Entrenamiento (Trainer)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
E.1 CASA Model 1133; Spanish version of Bücker Bü 133 (ES.1 redesignated)
E.2 Hispano E.30 (EE.2 redesignated)
E.3 CASA Model 1131H; Spanish version of Bücker Bü 131 (EE.3 redesignated)
E.4 INTA HM.1 (EE.4 redesignated)
E.5 INTA HM.9 (EE.5 redesignated)
E.6 Hispano-Suiza HS-42B (ES.6 redesignated)
E.7 INTA HM.3 (EE.7 redesignated)
E.8 INTA HM.5 (ES.8 redesignated)
E.9 AISA I-115 Garrapata (EE.6 redesignated)
E.10 - Project only; no details available
E.11 - Project only; no details available
E.12 Hispano HA-100 Triana
E.13 Hispano HA-110; project only, not built
E.14 Hispano HA-200 Saeta
E.15 Lockheed T-33A
E.16 North American T-6G Texan
E.17 Beech T-34 Mentor
E.18 Jodel D.119F; cancelled, number reused
E.18 Piper PA-31 Navajo/Cheyenne
E.19 Piper PA-23 Aztec
E.20 Beech B55 Baron
E.21 CASA/MBB Model 223A-1 Flamingo
E.22 Beech C90 King Air
E.23 Beech A100 King Air
E.24 Beech Model F33 Bonanza
E.25 CASA C-101 Aviojet; named Mirlo in Spanish service
E.26 ENAER T-35 Pillan; named Tamiz in Spanish service
(E.27) (Not yet assigned)
(E.28) (Not yet assigned)
(E.29) (Not yet assigned)
E.30 Piper PA-24 Comanche
E.31 Piper PA-30 Twin Comanche

EE - Escuela Elemental (Primary Training)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
EE.1 DeHavilland DH.60 Moth and DH.82A Tiger Moth
EE.2 Hispano E.30 (became E.2)
EE.3 CASA Model 1131H; Spanish version of Bücker Bü 131 (became E.3)
EE.4 INTA HM.1 (became E.4)
EE.5 INTA HM.9 (became E.5)
EE.6 AISA I-115 (became E.9)
EE.7 INTA HM.3 (became E.7)

ES - Escuela Superior (Advanced Trainer)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
ES.1 CASA Model 1133; Spanish version of Bücker Bü 133 (became E.1)
ES.2 CASA Model 1145; Spanish version of Gotha Go 145
ES.3 IMAM Ro-41 (2-seat)
ES.4 Caproni AP.1
ES.5 Fiat CR.32 (2-seat)
ES.6 Hispano-Suiza HS-42B (became E.6)
ES.7 Arado Ar 66C
ES.8 INTA HM.5 (became E.8)

H - Hidroavión (Seaplane)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
HR.1 Dornier/CASA Do J Wal
HR.2 Heinkel He 60C-1
HR.3 Arado Ar 95A-0
HR.4 Heinkel He 114A
HD.5
HR.5
Dornier Do 24T-3
HR.6 Fairey Swordfish
HR.7 IMAM Ro-43

H - Helicóptero (Helicopter) (replaced Z)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
H.1 Sikorsky UH-19
H.2 Aerotécnica AC-12
(H.3) Not assigned (see Z.3)
H.4 Aerotécnica AC-14
(H.5) Not assigned (see Z.5)
(H.6) Not assigned (see Z.6)
HE.7 Agusta-Bell AB 47G (U.S. designation: OH-13)
HU.8 Agusta-Bell AB 204B (U.S. designation: UH-1B)
HS.9 Sikorsky S-61 (U.S. designation: SH-3)
HE.10
HU.10
Agusta-Bell AB205 (U.S. designation: UH-1H)
HD.11 Agusta-Bell AB 47J-1
HR.12 Agusta-Bell AB 206A-1 (U.S. designation: OH-58A)
HS.13 Hughes Model 369M/500M (U.S. designation: OH-6)
HA.14 Bell Model 209 (U.S. designation: AH-1G)
HA.15
HE.15
HR.15
MBB Bo 105C
HD.16
HE.16
Aérospatiale SA.319B Alouette III
HT.17 Boeing CH-47C Chinook
HA.18
HU.18
Agusta-Bell AB 212AS (U.S. designation: UH-1N)
HD.19 Aérospatiale SA.330 Puma
HE.20 Hughes Model 269/300 (U.S. designation: TH-55)
HD.21
HT.21
HU.21
Aérospatiale AS.332 Super Puma
HU.22 MBB BK-117
HS.23 Sikorsky Model S-70 (U.S. designation: SH-60)
HE.24 Sikorsky S-76
HE.25 Eurocopter EC120 Colibri
HE.26 Eurocopter EC130
HT.27 Eurocopter AS.532 Cougar
HA.28 Eurocopter EC665 Tiger HAP

L - Enlace (Liaison) - First Series

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
L.1 Percival P.3 Gull Six (became L.13 in second L series)
L.2 Caudron C.635 Simoun
L.3 Gil Pazó GP.1
L.4 Klemm Kl 32
L.5 Miles M.3A, M.5 Falcon
L.6 Spartan Model 7W Executive
L.7 Farman F.180
L.8 General Aircraft Monospar ST.25
L.9 DeHavilland DH.84 and DH.89A Dragon
L.10 Lockheed Model 10 Electra
L.11 Airspeed AS.6 Envoy
L.12 Northrop Model 1D Delta
L.13 Vultee V1A
L.14 Junkers W.34
L.15 Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (became L.4 in second L series)
L.16 Fieseler Fi 156C Storch (became L.7 in second L series)
L.17 Consolidated Model 17 Fleetster
L.18 Koolhoven FK 51
L.18 AISA AVD 12 (number re-used)
L.19 INTA HM.2 (became L.6 in second L series)

L - Enlace (Liaison) - Second Series (later replaced by U)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
L.1 Heinkel He 70F
L.2 Stinson Model 108.3 Voyager
L.3 Gil Pazó GP.1
L.4 Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifun (was L.15 in first L series)
L.5 INTA HM.7
L.6 INTA HM.2 (was L.19 in first L series)
L.7 Fieseler Fi 156C Storch (was L.16 in first L series)
L.8 AISA I-11B Peque
L.9 Dornier/CASA Do 27, C.127 (became U.9)
L.10 AISA AVD 10
L.11 Hispano HA-231-L1 Guion; project only
L.12 Cessna O-1E Bird Dog (became U.12)
L.13 Percival P.3 Gull Six (was L.1 in first L series) and P.10/44 Vega Gull

P - Patrullero (Patrol)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
(P.1 ... P.2) Not assigned (most probably to keep number 3 for Orion)
P.3 Lockheed P-3 Orion

R - Reconocimiento (Reconnaissance)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
R.1 Heinkel He 46C-1
R.2 Heinkel He 70F-2
R.3 Dornier Do 17F-1, Do 17P
R.4 Henschel Hs 126A-1
R.5 Polikarpov R-5
R.6 Grumman G-32 (SF-1)
R.7 Fokker C.X

T - Transporte (Transport)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
T.1 SIAI SM.81 (number later reused for TK.1)
TK.1 Boeing KC-97L
T.2 CASA Model 352; Spanish version of Junkers Ju 52/3m
T.3 Douglas DC-3 Dakota/Skytrain
T.4 Douglas DC-4 Skymaster
T.5 CASA Model 201 Alcotán
T.6 CASA Model 202 Halcón
T.7 CASA Model 207 Azor
T.8 CASA Model 2-111E; transport version of B.2
T.9 Fairchild C-119F Flying Boxcar (number later reused)
T.9 DeHavilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou
T.10 Lockheed C-130H Hercules
T.11 Dassault Falcon 20
T.12 CASA Model 212 Aviocar
(T.13) Canadair CL-215 (T.13 designation not used, became UD.13)
T.14 Convair Model 440
T.15 Douglas DC-8
T.16 Dassault Falcon 50
T.17 Boeing Model 707
T.18 Dassault Falcon-900
T.19 Airtech (CASA/IPTN) CN.235
TR.20 Cessna Model 500 Citation V
T.21 CASA/EADS C295M
T.22 Airbus A310-304

U - Utilitario (Utility) (replaced L)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
(U.1 ... U.8) Not assigned (see L.1 to L-8)
U.9 Dornier Do 27 (L.9 redesignated)
(U.10 ... U.11) Not assigned (see L.10 to L-11)
U.12 Cessna O-1E Bird Dog (L.12 redesignated)
UD.13 Canadair CL-215
U.14 Dornier Do 28A Skyservant
UD.14 Canadair CL-415 (number reused; probably to follow up from UD.13 to UD.14)
U.15 ? SZD-30 Pirat; sailplane
U.16 Schiebe SF-28 Falke; sailplane
U.17 Let L-13 Blanik; sailplane
(U.18) (No information)
(U.19) (No information)
U.20 Cessna Citation II; probably out-of-sequence designation to match T.20

V - Despegue Vertical (VTOL)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
VA.1 Hawker-Siddeley Harrier (U.S. designation: AV-8A)
VA.2 McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier

Z - Helicóptero (Helicopter) (later replaced by H; H models up to H.20 have been designated Z.n originally)

Designation Manufacturer Model; Remarks
Z.1 Sikorsky UH-19 (became H.1)
Z.2 Aerotécnica AC-12 (became H.2)
Z.3 Aerotécnica AC-13
Z.4 Aerotécnica AC-14 (became H.4)
Z.5 Aerotécnica AC-21; project only, not built
Z.6 Hiller OH-23B Raven
Z.7 ... Z.20 (see H.7 to H.20)




Comments and corrections to: Andreas Parsch



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Last Updated: 8 September 2007