RAF/RN aircraft not receiving UK designations.

[22A]

I'd be interested if anyone can think of a type introduced into full RAF service (say, post 1920) before the VC-10, without having or being given a 'verbal' (as opposed to alphanumeric) name.

Between 1920 and the VC10 coming into service the Bristol 138, although it was only a research aircraft. The other number only types were in service before 1920 or joined after the VC10 did. Of course when TSR2 (was that destined for an official name), the RAF was told to buy the F111. The 1965 RAF year book actually asked "What will we call it"?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_a ... _Air_Force

[ColintheCaterpillar]

Like trying to figure why the VC-10 never had a 'proper' name in RAF service - was this the thin end of the wedge...?

VC10 (note: no hyphen), HS125, BAe 146; all British types with civilian counterparts being produced alongside the (smaller) military production numbers by HS/BAC/BAe as they came into service. Therefore there may well have been commercial considerations when choosing the name to be used in service.

[POL]

Wasn't the 146 called the Statesman?

[TonyO]

Wasn't the 146 called the Statesman?

I believe that was the marketing name for VIP versions of the 146 at the time.

[POL]

Thanks Tony

[Bradsim]

Just to clarify, although I'm sure you are aware, the RC-135W is officially named Airseeker R1.

[aenstrop]

HS125 was the Dominie T1 with the RAF.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

HS125 was the Dominie T1 with the RAF.

Sort of. The Series 2 aircraft that became nav trainers were the Dominie, but the Series 400, 600 & 700 aircraft used for VIP flying were referred to as the HS125 CC1 to CC3 respectively.

[Hendon Chipmunk]

Did Army Air Corps Austers ever receive a name or were they only known as 'Auster' - the manufacturer name and role / mark designation (for example, Auster AOP6, etc.)?

[twinstar]

Just to clarify, although I'm sure you are aware, the RC-135W is officially named Airseeker R1.

Is this confirmed? I always had the project as Airseeker and the aircraft are offically registered as RC-135W.

[bizfreeq]

RAF website says: It had been formally named Airseeker, but is almost universally known in service as the RC-135W Rivet Joint

[DeanW]

The RAF's Release to Service notes it as 'Rivet Joint RC-135W'.

[ColintheCaterpillar]

RAF website says: It had been formally named Airseeker, but is almost universally known in service as the RC-135W Rivet Joint

The only people I've heard call it the Airseeker are RAF social media types!

[tommc]

Just to clarify, although I'm sure you are aware, the RC-135W is officially named Airseeker R1.

Is this confirmed? I always had the project as Airseeker and the aircraft are offically registered as RC-135W.

Yes, they are officially registered as RC-135W

[iainpeden]

The digits of the serials of the 3 RC-135s add up to 51 a tradition carried over from the Nimrods.