German Designations

Aircraft

Designation system for WWI aircraft

During WWI, German aircraft received a designation consisting of (1) the name of the manufacturer, (2) a function letter, and (3) a Roman number. The three parts of the designation were needed to get an unique designation. For example, there was a Fokker E III, but also a Pfalz E III and a Siemens-Schuckert E III.

The meaning of the function letters is listed below. During the war, there were some changes. The most important one is that the letter 'D' was at first only used for biplane fighters, while 'E' was used for monoplane fighters ans 'Dr' for triplane fighters. At the end of the war, the 'D' designation was used for single-seat fighters, even if they were monoplanes. Hence the Fokker E V was renamed Fokker D VIII.

       A   unarmed reconaissance aircraft
       B   two-seater, with the observer seating in front of the pilot.
       C   two-seater, with the observer in the aft cockpit.
       CL  fast two-seater, multi-role aircraft
       D   'Doppeldecker', biplane. Later: fighter, in general
       E   'Eindecker', monoplane.
       Dr  'Dreidecker', triplane.
       G   'Grosskampfflugzeug', bomber
       J   ground-attack aircraft
       K   'Kampfflugzeug', later redisgnated with a G.
       R   'Riesenflugzeug', long-range bomber.

Designation system for WWII aircraft

The German WWII designation system used the first two letters of the manufacturer's name (Ju for Junkers, Fw for Focke-Wulf, ...) and an unique number. Numbers were indeed supposed to be unique, and usually a block of numbers was allocated to a manufacturer. However, sometimes numbers were exchanged by manufacturers, and sometimes they were used twice if they had been used for an unsuccessful type. There were also cases in which aircraft designs were moved from one manufacturer to another; they usually, but not always, retained their number.

There was a tendency to use variations of the first digit to related or similar aircraft. For example, Messerschmitt produced a the Bf 110, the Me 210 which was intended to replaced it, the Me 310 design which was an improved Me 210, and the Me 410, which was also an improved Me 210.

Versions were distinguished by capital letters and subdived with numbers, e.g. Ju 88G-6. The number 0 was usually used for pre-series aircraft. Sometimes lowercase letters were added to indicate minor variations, eg. Me 262A-1a. Prototypes had the letter V (for Versuchsflugzeug) and a sequential number, eg. Bf 109 V23.

Aircraft could also be modified with a 'Umbrust' or 'Bausatze' set or be tropicalized; eg. a Bf 109G-2/U1 was a Bf 109G-2 fitted with a reversible pitch prop, an Bf 109G-2/R1 had a 500kg bomb carrier fitted, and an Bf 109E-4/Trop had a dust filter installed.

Translations of German names

Here are some translations of German aircraft names:

    Bachstelze		Wagtail
    Blitz		Lightning
    Drache		Dragon, Kite
    Falke		Falcon
    Floh		Flea
    Gelber Hund		Yellow Dog
    Greif		Griffon
    Hagelkorn		Hailstone
    Hornisse		Hornet
    Kadett		Cadet
    Kauz		Owl
    Kleinstjager	Very small fighter
    Komet		Comet
    Mistel		Mistletoe
    Natter		Viper
    Pfeil		Arrow
    Stieglitz		Goldfinch
    Storch		Stork
    Stosser		Bird of Prey
    Taifun		Typhoon
    Taube		Dove
    Wal			Whale
    Weihe		Kite (bird)
    Wiking		Viking
    Zwilling		Twin
Emmanuel Gustin
gustin@uia.ua.ac.be