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:

A - Ataque (Attack)
B - Bombardero (Bomber)
C - Caza (Fighter)
D - Salvamento (Rescue)
E - Entrenador/Escuela (Trainer)
H - Helicoptero (Helicopter) (formerly Z)
P - Patrullero (Patrol)
R - Reconocimiento (Reconnaissance)
S - Antisubmarino (Anti-Sub)
T - Transporte (Transport)
U - Utilitario (Utility)
V - Despegue Vertical (VTOL)
X - Prototipo (Experimental)

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

A - Anfibio (Amphibian)
BV - Bombardero Vertical (Dive Bomber)
EE - Entrenador Elemental (Primary Trainer)
ES - Entrenador Superior (Advanced Trainer)
H - Hidroavion (Seaplane)
L - Enlace (Liason) (replaced by U)
Z - Helicopter (replaced by H)

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

K - Cisterna (Tanker)
M - Electrónico (Electronic Warfare)

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) I have seen a few designations with an "X" prefix. This indicates an experimental or projected model.

2 Designation Listing

My list is not very well maintained, so some of the latest designations may be missing. It is also not very detailed, i.e. I have only noted the basic type/number assignments, and no modified mission letters (e.g. I have only "H.19" for the SA330 Puma, and not "HT.19").

A - Anfibio (Amphibian)

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

A - Ataque (Attack)

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
A.1	Heinkel	He 51
A.2	Heinkel	He 45C
A.3	Caproni	Ca.310
A.4	Polikarpov	I-15
(A.5)	Not assigned
(A.6)	Not assigned
(A.7)	Not assigned
(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	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	C.2111; Spanish version of Heinkel He 111H-16
B.21	CASA	C.2111B; out-of-sequence designation

BV - Bombardero Vertical (Dive Bomber)

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
BV.1	Henschel	Hs 123

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
C.4	Messerschmitt	Bf 109B
C.5	Messerschmitt	Bf 109E
C.6	Fiat	G.50 (became C.2 in second C series)
C.7	Romeo	Ro-41
C.8	Polikarpov	I-16
C.9	Polikarpov	I-15bis
C.10	Messerschmitt	Bf 109F
C.11	Arado	Ar 68
C.12	Hispano	HA 1109
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 112
C.4	Hispano	HA 1109/1110/1112; Spanish version of Messerschmitt Me 109
C.5	North American	F-86 Sabre
C.6	Hispano	HA-300; not built, number reused (was C.15 in first C series)
C.6	North American	T-6 Harvard (armed version)
C.7	CASA/Heinkel	CH-101; project only, not built
C.8	Lockheed	F-104 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-4 Phantom II
(C.13)	Not assigned ("unlucky 13" was not used)
C.14	Dassault	Mirage F.1C
C.15	McDonnell-Douglas	F/A-18 Hornet
C.16	Eurofighter	Typhoon

D - Salvamento (Rescue)

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
D.1	Consolidated	PBY-5A Catalina
D.2	Fokker	F.27MPA
D.3	CASA	Model 212 Aviocar

E - Entrenador/Escuela (Trainer)

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
E.1	CASA	1.133 (ES.1 redesignated)
E.2	Hispano	E.30 (EE.2 redesignated)
E.3	CASA	1.131 (EE.3 redesignated)
E.4	INTA	HM.1, HM.1B (EE.4 redesignated)
E.5	INTA	HM.9 (EE.5 redesignated)
E.6	Hispano-Suiza	HS-42 (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)	(No information)
(E.11)	(No information)
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-33
E.16	North American	T-6 Harvard
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 223
E.22	Beech	C90 King Air
E.23	Beech	A100 King Air
E.24	Beech	Model 33 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 - Entrenador Elemental (Primary Trainer)

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
EE.1	DeHavilland	DH.60 Moth and DH.82 Tiger Moth
EE.2	Hispano	E.30 (became E.2)
EE.3	CASA	1.131; Spanish version of Bücker Bü 131 (became E.3)
EE.4	INTA	HM.1, HM.1B (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)
EE.8	INTA	HM.5 (also ES.8)

ES - Entrenador Superior (Advanced Trainer)

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
ES.1	CASA	1.133; Spanish version of Bücker Bü 133 (became E.1)
ES.2	CASA	1.145; Spanish version of Gotha Go 145
ES.3	Romeo	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 - Hidroavion (Seaplane)

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

H - Helicoptero (Helicopter) (replaced Z)

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
H.1	Sikorsky	UH-19 (Z.1 redesignated)
H.2	Aerotécnica	AC-12 (Z.2 redesignated)
(H.3)	Not assigned (see Z.3)
H.4	Aerotécnica	AC-14 (Z.4 redesignated)
(H.5)	Not assigned (see Z.5)
(H.6)	Not assigned (see Z.6)
H.7	Agusta-Bell	AB47G (U.S. designation: OH-13)
H.8	Agusta-Bell	AB204B (U.S. designation: UH-1B)
H.9	Sikorsky	S-61 (U.S. designation: SH-3)
H.10	Agusta-Bell	AB205 (U.S. designation: UH-1D)
H.11	Agusta-Bell	AB47J
H.12	Agusta-Bell	AB206a (U.S. designation: OH-58)
H.13	Hughes	Model 369M/500M (U.S. designation: OH-6)
H.14	Bell	Model 209 (U.S. designation: AH-1G)
H.15	MBB	Bo 105
H.16	Aérospatiale	Alouette III
H.17	Boeing	CH-47 Chinook
H.18	Bell	Model 212 (U.S. designation: UH-1N)
H.19	Aérospatiale	SA.330 Puma
H.20	Hughes	Model 269/300 (U.S. designation: TH-55)
H.21	Aérospatiale	AS.332 Super Puma
H.22	MBB	BK-117
H.23	Sikorsky	Model S-70 (U.S. designation: SH-60)
H.24	Sikorsky	S-76
H.25	Eurocopter	EC120 Colibri
H.26	Eurocopter	EC130
H.27	Eurocopter	AS.532 Cougar

L - Enlace (Liaison) - First Series

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
L.1	Heinkel	He 70F-2
L.2	Caudron	C.635 Simoun
L.3	Gil-Pazo	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	AISA	AVD 10
L.9	DeHavilland	DH.84
L.9	DeHavilland	DH.89A
L.10	Lockheed	Model 10 Electra
L.11	Airspeed	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 156 Ciquena (became L.7 in second L series)
L.17	Consolidated	Model 17 Fleetster
L.18	Koolhoven	FK51
L.18	??? AISA	??? AVD 12 (number re-used?; see L.10 in second L series)
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	Percival	P.3 Gull Six
L.2	Stinson	Model 108.3 Voyager
L.3	Gil-Pazo	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 Ciquena (was L.16 in first L series)
L.8	AISA	I-11 Peque
L.9	Dornier/CASA	Do 27, C.127 (became U.9)
L.10	AISA	AVD 12A
L.11	Hispano	HA231-L1 Guion; project only
L.12	Cessna	O-1E Bird Dog (became U.12)
L.13	Percival	P.3 Proctor II and P.10/44 Vega Gull

P - Patrullero (Patrol)

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

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
T.1	SIAI	SM.81
T.2	CASA	Model 352; Spanish version of Junkers Ju 52/3m
T.3	Douglas	DC-3 Dakota/Skytrain
T.4	?	Focke Wulf FW 200C, Junkers Ju 290, Lockheed 18 Lodestar (C-60) (number reused several times??)

T - Transporte (Transport) - Second Series

Designation	Manufacturer	Model; Remarks
T.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 Alcotan
T.6	CASA	Model 202 Halcon
T.7	CASA	Model 207 Azor
T.8	CASA	2.111; transport version of B.2
T.9	Fairchild	C-119G Flying Boxcar (number later reused)
T.9	DeHavilland Canada	DHC-4 Caribou
T.10	Lockheed	C-130 Hercules
T.11	Dassault	Falcon 20
T.12	CASA	C.212 Aviocar
T.13	Canadair	CL-215; probably erroneous reference to UD.13!
T.14	Convair	Model 340/440
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
T.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)	Not assigned (see L.1)
(U.2)	Not assigned (see L.2)
(U.3)	Not assigned (see L.3)
(U.4)	Not assigned (see L.4)
(U.5)	Not assigned (see L.5)
(U.6)	Not assigned (see L.6)
(U.7)	Not assigned (see L.7)
(U.8)	Not assigned (see L.8)
U.9	Dornier	Do 27 (L.9 redesignated)
(U.10)	Not assigned (see L.10)
(U.11)	Not assigned (see L.11)
U.12	Cessna	O-1E Bird Dog (L.12 redesignated)
U.13	Canadair	CL-215
U.14	Dornier	Do 28A Skyservant
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
V.1	Hawker-Siddeley	Harrier (U.S. designation: AV-8A)
V.2	McDonnell-Douglas	AV-8B Harrier

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

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-23 Raven

Comments and corrections to: Andreas Parsch

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Last Updated: 20 April 2005