List of Air Ministry specifications


This is a partial list of the British Air Ministry specifications for aircraft. A specification stemmed from an Operational Requirement, abbreviated "OR", describing what the aircraft would be used for. This in turn led to the specification itself, e.g. a two-engined fighter with four machine guns. So for example, OR.40 for a heavy bomber led to Specification B.12/36. Aircraft manufacturers would be invited to present design proposals to the ministry, following which prototypes of one or more of the proposals might be ordered for evaluation. On very rare occasions, a manufacturer would design and build an aircraft using their own money as a "private venture". This would then be offered to the ministry for evaluation. The ministry may well release a specification based on the private venture aircraft if the plane aroused interest from the RAF or the ministry due to its performance or some other combination of features.
The system of producing aircraft to a specification ran from 1920 to 1949 during which the Air Ministry was replaced by first the Ministry of Aircraft Production in 1940 and then the Ministry of Supply in 1946. The system was applied to commercial aircraft as well, two being the de Havilland Comet and Vickers Viscount. During the period, over 800 specifications were issued.

Specification designations

Each specification name usually followed a pattern. A leading letter was usually present to identify the aircraft purpose. The codes used included B for "heavy bomber", e.g., B.12/36, P for "medium bomber", e.g., P.13/36, F for "fighter", e., F.10/35, and A for "army co-operation", e., A.39/34. The second part was a number identifying it in sequence and then after the slash, the year it was formulated, so in the example given above, B.12/36 signifies a specification for a heavy bomber, the twelfth specification of all types issued in 1936. Specifications were not always issued in sequence.
Admiralty specifications were identified by the letter N, e., N.21/45, and experimental specifications identified by the letter E, e., E.28/39, with training aircraft signified by the letter T, e., T.23/31, and unpowered aircraft, signified by the letter X, e., X.26/40. The letter G signified a general-purpose aircraft, e.g., G.9/45, with an M being applied to aircraft intended for more than one specific purpose, e.g., M.15/35.
The letter C was applied to military transport aircraft, e.g., C.1/42, with the letter O used for a naval reconnaissance aircraft, e.g., O.8/38 – the letter S used for the more specialised role of naval spotting, i.e., observing and reporting back the fall of naval gunfire, e.g., S.38/34 – and R for a reconnaissance type – often a flying boat, e.g., R.3/33. Special purpose aircraft would be signified by a letter Q, this being used to specify aircraft such as target-tugs, radio-controlled target drones, etc., e.g., Q.32/55.
Sometimes the purpose for which an aircraft is used in service would change from that for which the specification to which it was designed was issued, and so there are some discrepancies and inconsistencies in designation, the Royal Navy in particular liking to specify multiple roles for its aircraft in an attempt to make the best use of the necessarily limited hangar space onboard its aircraft carriers. In this case this resulted in several types designed to specifications originally intended to signify the naval Spotting role also being used for other purposes, e.g., S.15/33, resulting in the Blackburn Shark and Fairey Swordfish, the latter aircraft being primarily utilised as a torpedo bomber. Similarly S.24/37, which produced the Fairey Barracuda, again primarily designed for spotting, the dive bomber/torpedo bomber requirements being regarded as secondary when the specification was issued, but for which roles it was almost exclusively subsequently used, the original spotting requirement having been made obsolete with the introduction of radar.
In addition, some specifications appear to have no letter prefix at all, e.g., 1/21, the [Vickers Virginia|Vickers Virginia III].

List of specifications (incomplete)

The names of the aircraft shown in the table are not necessarily those they carried when provided for evaluation as at this point an aircraft would usually be referred to as the Manufacturer ''X.XX/XX, e.g., the Avro B.35/46 – this is in addition to the manufacturer's own separate internal designation for the aircraft, e.g., Avro 698. With several manufacturers submitting designs to the same specification this could result in a number of different aircraft with the same X.XX/XX designation, e.g., Handley Page B.35/46, etc. Upon acceptance of the design the final service names would usually be chosen by the Air Ministry when they placed a production order, in the above B.35/46 cases, where two aircraft were accepted to this specification, Vulcan and Victor respectively.
Upon entering service, in the absence of any already-planned variants a new type would initially have no mark number after the aircraft name, being simply referred to as the
Manufacturer Service-name, e.g., the Avro Anson, however upon acceptance of a new variant the previous version automatically became the 'Mark I', so in the example given, the previous version of the Anson retrospectively became the Avro Anson Mk I upon acceptance of an Avro Anson Mk II. Sometimes planned variants would be later cancelled leading to 'missing' mark numbers, or the extent of the changes may have justified given the new variant a completely new name, e.g., the Hawker Typhoon II subsequently becoming the Hawker Tempest, or the Avro Lancaster B.IV & B.V entering service as the Avro Lincoln. In a few cases the same aircraft ordered with differing engines would be allocated separate names for each variant, e.g., Hawker Typhoon and Hawker Tornado, or the Handley Page Hampden and Handley Page Hereford. Typographical designation of mark numbers varied over time and inconsistencies are common, e.g., Mark II, Mk. II, II'', etc. Initially Roman numerals were used, changing to Arabic numerals post-World War II, e.g., Supermarine Spitfire Mk I to Supermarine Spitfire Mk 24.
Note 1: where possible mark numbers are given here in this list in the form that was used at the time of acceptance. Variations may be encountered due to changes in format/typographical convention.
Note 2: due to mergers and amalgamations within the UK aircraft industry sometimes the name of the manufacturer changed over time, e.g., English Electric later became part of the British Aircraft Corporation, so the English Electric Lightning then became the BAC Lightning; the British Aircraft Corporation itself and Hawker Siddeley then later merged and became British Aerospace, subsequently becoming BAe. Thus the previously mentioned Avro Vulcan was subsequently referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan; similarly, the Blackburn Buccaneer later became the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer. Where possible, for clarity the aircraft in this list are listed under the ORIGINATING company's name or the name of the manufacturer under which it first entered production.
Specifications within the tables are listed in numerical order by year of issue; where a given number appears more than once, with one or more letter prefixes, the entries are presented in alphabetical order.

Air Board specifications (1917–1918)

In 1917, the Air Board began to issue specifications for new aircraft on behalf of the Royal Flying Corps and Royal Navy Air Service, with separate series for the RFC and Navy.
SpecTypeDesigns
A.1ASingle-seat fighter – Sopwith Camel replacementAustin Osprey, Boulton & Paul Bobolink, Nieuport B.N.1, Sopwith Snipe
A.1CSingle-seat fighter – ABC Dragonfly engine, became RAF Type I specification.Nieuport Nighthawk
A.2BSingle- or twin-engined day bomberAirco DH.10 Amiens
A.3CHeavy bomber – superseded by RAF Type VAbandoned

SpecTypeDesigns
N.1ASingle seat land or ship-based fighter.Beardmore W.B.IV, Beardmore W.B.V, Mann Egerton Type H
N.1BSingle-seat seaplane or flying boat fighterBlackburn N.1B, Norman Thompson N.1B, Supermarine Baby, Westland N.1B, Wight Triplane Flying Boat
N.1BSingle seat torpedo bomberBlackburn Blackburd, Short Shirl
N.2ATwo-seat floatplane scoutFairey N.9, Fairey N.10, Short N.2A
N.2BTwo-seat floatplane bomber, bombload.Fairey IIIB, Short N.2B
N.2CTwin engined patrol flying boatNorman Thompson N.2C

RAF specifications (1918–1920)

SpecTypeDesigns
Type IFighter, ABC Dragonfly engine.Armstrong Whitworth Ara, BAT Basilisk, Nieuport Nighthawk, Siddeley Siskin, Sopwith Snapper, Sopwith Snark
Type IALong-distance BAT Bantam, Westland Wagtail
Type IITwo-seat fighterBristol Badger
Type IIITwo-seat fighterAustin Greyhound, Westland Weasel
Type IV
Type VI
Twin-engined bomberAvro 533 Manchester, Boulton Paul Bourges, de Havilland DH.11 Oxford, Sopwith Cobham
Type VIINight BomberNieuport London
Type VIIIBomberAvro 533 Manchester, Boulton Paul Bourges, Bristol Braemar, de Havilland DH.11 Oxford, Sopwith Cobham
Type IXMedium bomberde Havilland Okapi
Type XIHeavy bomberSiddeley Sinaia
Type XXGloster Nightjar
Type XXITwo-seat amphibian fighterBristol Type 35, Fairey Pintail
Type XXIISingle-seat carrier based torpedo bomber Blackburn Blackburd, Short Shirl, 'Blackburn Swift'
Type XXXFlying boatShort Cromarty, Vickers Valentia
Type XXXIIPrototype training seaplaneShort Sporting Type produced to this specification
Type XXXIIIFour-engined long range flying boatFairey N.4

1920–1929

SpecORTypeDesigns
1/20-First spec. issued: spares carrierBristol Type 37 Tramp
2/20'Interim' single-engine heavy bomberAvro Aldershot, de Havilland DH.27 Derby
3/20Single-seat deck-landing torpedo-carrier – Spec. superseded by 32/22 Blackburn Dart (modified), Handley Page H.P.19 Hanley
4/20Long-distance photographic and reconnaissance aeroplaneBoulton & Paul Bolton
5/20Troop Carrier BiplaneBristol Type 56, Vickers Victoria
6/20Vimy AmbulanceVickers Vimy Ambulance
7/20Fleet reconnaissance and fleet spotting amphibianSupermarine Seal II
8/20Three-seat reconnaissance aircraft for Army/NavyArmstrong Whitworth Tadpole, Westland Walrus
9/20Medium range postal monoplaneParnall Possum, Boulton & Paul Bodmin
10/20Cantilever monoplanede Havilland Doncaster
11/20Medium Range Military Conversion of Postal AeroplaneParnall Possum, Boulton & Paul Bodmin
1/21Long-range bomber – Vickers Vimy replacementVickers Virginia III
2/21Experimental single-seat convertible biplane/monoplane fighter/interceptor/two-seat reconnaissance-fighter aircraft – written for BullfinchBristol Bullfinch
3/21Naval Fleet spotter/reconnaissance aircraftAvro Bison, Blackburn Blackburn
4/21Small troop carrierVickers Vernon
5/21Light day bomber – Airco DH.9A replacementFairey Fawn
6/21Postal aeroplaneWestland Dreadnought
7/21Single-Seat Ship FighterParnall Plover
8/21Torpedo aeroplaneBlackburn T.4 Cubaroo
9/21Torpedo aeroplaneBlackburn Dart production
10/21Corps reconnaissance aircraftArmstrong Whitworth Wolf, Hawker Duiker
11/21Vimy ambulanceVickers Vimy ambulance
12/21Fleet spotting flying boatEnglish Electric Ayr
13/21Cantilever MonoplaneHandley Page H.P.20
14/21Felixstowe F.5 replacementSupermarine Scylla
13/21Cantilever monoplaneHandley Page H.P.20
14/21Boat seaplaneSupermarine Scylla
15/21Twin-engined bomberBoulton & Paul P.19
16/21Biplane transportHandley Page W.8b
17/21Biplane transportHandley Page Type X, de Havilland DH.34
18/21Passenger transportHandley Page HP.18 Hanley / Handley Page HP.21 Hanley, de Havilland DH.32, Vickers Type 61 Vulcan
19/21Two-seat reconnaissance aircraft – Bristol F.2B Fighter replacementShort Springbok
20/21High-altitude fightercancelled
21/21Spotting amphibianSupermarine Seagull II
22/21Reconditioned F.2bBristol F.2b Fighter
1/22Passenger AeroplaneVickers Type 170 Vanguard
2/22Amphibians for use in the Middle EastVickers Viking V
3/22Two-seat fighter/reconnaissance powered by a supercharged engine – Bristol Fighter replacementBristol Type 84 Bloodhound
4/22Reconditioning of DH.10Airco DH.10 Amiens
5/22Spare wingde Havilland DH.29 Doncaster
6/22Naval carrier fighter with interchangeable wheel and float undercarriages using Armstrong Siddeley Jaguar or Bristol Jupiter engine – Nieuport Nightjar replacementFairey Flycatcher, Parnall Plover
7/22Army reconnaissance aircraftHawker Duiker
8/22Corps reconnaissance aircraftArmstrong Whitworth Wolf
9/22New tail unit and trialde Havilland DH.29 Doncaster
10/22Metal-winged DH.9aAirco DH.9a
11/22Reconditioning of DH.9aAirco DH.9a
12/22Single-engined goods carrierVickers Type 63 Vulcan
13/22Reconditioning of SnipeSopwith Snipe
14/22High performance landplaneArmstrong Whitworth Siskin III
15/22Modifications to HanleyHandley Page HP.19 Hanley II
16/22Long range torpedo bomber to carry 21 inch torpedoBlackburn Cubaroo, Avro 557 Ava
17/22Amphibian floatplaneNot proceeded with
18/22Amphibian seaplaneNot proceeded with
19/22Night bombing landplaneNot proceeded with
20/22Coast patrol seaplaneEnglish Electric P.5 Cork
21/22Twin-engined amphibian flying boat for civil operations – see also R.18/24Supermarine Swan
22/22Two-seat fighter/reconnaissance powered by a supercharged engine – Bloodhound three aircraft order – revised from 3/22 Bristol Type 84 Bloodhound
23/22Amphibian floatplaneNot proceeded with
24/22Amphibian seaplaneNot proceeded with
25/22Single-seat night interceptor fighterHawker Woodcock
26/22Cantilever Monoplane for Civil PurposesNot proceeded with
27/22Three-engined Mail Carrying LandplaneNot proceeded with
28/22Rebuilding and Modification of the DoncasterDe Havilland DH.29 Doncaster
29/22Postal MonoplaneWestland Dreadnought
30/22Boulton & Paul Bugle
B.30/22Heavy bomber – written for Bugle II production order but Sidestrand also apparently designed to this spec.Boulton & Paul Bugle II, Boulton Paul Sidestrand
31/22Four-seat heavy night-bomberHandley Page Hyderabad
32/22Single-seat deck-landing torpedo-carrier – Spec. supersedes 3/20 Blackburn Dart II, Bristol Brandon
37/22Three-seat deck landing reconnaissance aircraft – Blackburn Blackburn / Avro Bison replacementAvro Type 550, Blackburn Airedale, Hawker Hedgehog
38/22General purpose seaplane/landplaneFairey IIID
40/22Transport aeroplane – civil airliner – larger version of de Havilland DH.34de Havilland Highclere
41/22'Middle East type transport aeroplane' – civil airlinerArmstrong Whitworth Argosy, de Havilland Hercules
43/22Vickers Vernon II
44/22Single-engined long-range reconnaissance seaplane – intended for round-the-World flightFairey Fremantle
46/22Three-seat fleet-spotter amphibianVickers Vanellus
9/23Superseded by 14/24Blackburn Iris
13/23Supermarine Seagull II
16/23-Spotting ship-planeAvro Bison
19/23Fighter/interceptor – improved Siskin IIIArmstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA
21/23Fleet two-seat torpedo bomberAvro Buffalo, Blackburn Ripon, Handley Page H.P.31 Harrow
23/23Coastal patrol and anti-submarine flying-boatEnglish Electric Kingston
25/23Fleet two-seat torpedo bomber/bomberHandley Page H.P.25 Hendon
26/23Two-seat long-range day-bomberBristol Berkeley, Handley Page H.P.28 Handcross, Hawker Horsley, Westland Yeovil
28/23Long-range bomber – Virginia production orderVickers Virginia
37/23Single-engined fighter/interceptor – improved GrebeGloster Gamecock
38/23Twin-engined Night Bombing LandplaneVickers Vimy
39/23Single-engined Single-Seater Racing SeaplaneGloster II
40/23Single-engined Single-Seater Racing SeaplaneSupermarine S.4
41/23Fitting of Handley Page Slotted Wings to the Bristol Fighter AircraftBristol F.2B
42/23Amphibian Alighting Gear for Fairy Flycatcher IFairey Flycatcher
43/23Special Wings to Aerofoil Section of R&M 322 for Blackburn DartBlackburn Dart
44/23Light AeroplaneDe Havilland DH.53 Humming Bird
45/23Two-seater Fighter Reconnaissance LandplaneVickers Venture
1/24Three-seat fleet reconnaissance seaplane and amphibianParnall Pike, Short S.6 Sturgeon, Bristol Type 87
2/24Light aeroplaneCancelled
3/24Single-seat high-performance landplaneHawker Woodcock II
4/24"Twin-Engined Home Defence Fighter" armed with two 37 mm cannonsWestland Westbury Bristol Bagshot
5/24Advanced landplane, convertible to a seaplane, trainer for RAF and deck-landing trainer for FAACancelled, replaced by 5A/24
5A/24Floatplane trainerVickers Vendace, Blackburn Sprat, Parnall Perch
6/24Single-seat fighterFairey Flycatcher
7/24'High powered single-seater fighter landplane'Avro Avenger, Fairey Firefly I, Fairey Fox, Gloster Gorcock, Hawker Hornbill
8/24Army co-operation aircraftde Havilland Dingo
9/24Twin engine medium day-bomber – Sidestrand II production order – see also 25/27Boulton Paul Sidestrand II
10/24Fleet spotting ship-planeBlackburn Blackburn
11/24Fleet spotting ship-planeAvro Bison II
12/24Long-range bomber – Virginia production orderVickers Virginia
13/24Patrol flying boatBlackburn Iris III, Short Singapore
14/24Three-engined boat seaplaneBlackburn Iris, Saunders Valkyrie
15/24Four-seat heavy night-bomber – initial production batch of HyderabadsHandley Page Hyderabad I
16/24Submarine-borne reconnaissance seaplaneParnall Peto
17/24Single-seat high-speed fighter landplaneGloster Guan
18/24Twin-engined amphibian flying boat – military version of boat ordered to 21/22Supermarine Southampton
19/24Three-seat spotter/reconnaissance /two-seat GP aircraft with interchangeable land & float U/C and folding wingsFairey IIIF
20/24All-metal monoplane flying boatBeardmore Inverness
21/24Single-seat boat seaplane for storage in restricted spaceParnall Prawn
22/24Three-engine boat seaplaneSaunders Valkyrie
23/24Twin engine civil airlinerHandley Page H.P.32 Hamlet
24/24Conversion of Bison I to Bison IaAvro Bison
25/24Single-seater, high-speed fighter landplaneHawker Heron
26/24Three-engined land-plane for duties in the Middle EastCancelled
27/24Twin engine single-seat interceptor/night fighterBoulton Paul Bittern
28/24Day and night fighter – Armstrong Whitworth Siskin replacementArmstrong Whitworth Starling
29/24Twin-engined boat amphibian with Lynx engines Supermarine Seamew
30/24Two-seat reconnaissance/army co-operation aircraftde Havilland Hyena, Short Chamois, Vickers Vespa
31/24Twin-engined boat amphibian with Lynx engines Saunders Medina
32/24Training landplane with Lynx engines – replaced by 3/27Avro 504N
33/24Three-engined boat seaplane for civil useNot issued
34/24Freight carrying landplaneVickers Vellore, Gloucester Goodwood
35/24Three-engine landplane for Middle East transportArmstrong Whitworth Argosy
11/25Reconnaissance flying boatSupermarine Southampton
12/25Two-seater fleet reconnaissance aircraftCancelled
13/25Troop carrierVickers Victoria III
14/25Demonstration flight of Cierva AutogiroCierva C.6A
17/25Naval single-seater fighter of all-metal stressed-skin construction with interchangeable wheel and float U/C powered by Lynx engineAvro 584 Avocet, Vickers Vireo
20/25Army co-operation aeroplane – Bristol Fighter/DH.9A replacementArmstrong Whitworth Atlas, Bristol Boarhound
23/25Two-seat day-bomber, reconnaissance & coastal torpedo-bomberBlackburn Beagle, Gloster Goring, Handley Page H.P.34 Hare, Hawker Harrier, Westland Witch
24/25High altitude bomber – Hawker Horsley replacementBlackburn Beagle, Handley Page H.P.34 Hare, Vickers Vildebeest
7/26Twin-float high-speed monoplane seaplane for 1927 Schneider Trophy competitionShort Crusader
F.9/26-Day and night 'zone' fighter – no design accepted and Spec. superseded by F.20/27 Armstrong Whitworth Starling II, Blackburn Blackcock / Turcock, Boulton Paul Partridge, Bristol Bulldog Mk.I, Bristol Bullpup, Gloster Goldfinch, Gloster SS.18, Hawker Hawfinch, Vickers Type 141
10/26Long-range bomber – Virginia production orderVickers Virginia
12/26Fast two-seat day bomber of all-metal construction using Rolls-Royce F.XIB engineAvro Antelope, Hawker Hart, Fairey Fox IIM
14/26Passenger flying boatShort Calcutta
21/26Naval Fleet fighter – see also N.21/26Parnall Pipit, Vickers Type 141, Vickers Type 177
N.21/26Naval Fleet fighter – see also 21/26Armstrong Whitworth Starling II, Armstrong Whitworth A.W.16, Blackburn Blackcock/Turcock, Fairey Firefly III, Gloster Gnatsnapper, Hawker Hoopoe, Vickers Type 177
O.22/26Naval high-speed, two-seat, Fleet fighter/reconnaissanceBlackburn Nautilus, Fairey Fleetwing, Handley Page H.P.37F, Hawker Osprey, Short Gurnard
R.4/27Maritime patrol flying boatSaunders Severn
R.5/27Reconnaissance flying boatBlackburn Sydney
8/27Long-range bomber – Virginia production orderVickers Virginia
F.10/27Single-seat fighter armed with six machine gunsSaunders A.10
B.19/27Twin engine night-bomber – Virginia/Hinaidi replacement – Hendon winner but introduction delayed so runner-up acceptedAvro 557 Ava, Fairey Hendon, Handley Page Heyford, Vickers Type 150, Vickers Type 163, Vickers Type 195, Vickers Type 225, Bristol Type 108
C.20/27Transport version of Handley Page Hyderabad / Handley Page Hinaidi – Chitral/CliveHandley Page Clive
F.20/27'Interception single-seat fighter' to overtake in shortest time an enemy aircraft flying at 150 mph at 20,000 ftArmstrong Whitworth Starling II, Bristol Bulldog Mk.II, de Havilland DH.77, Fairey Firefly II, Hawker Fury, Saunders A.10, Vickers Jockey, Westland Interceptor
B.22/27Three engine night-bomber – abandoned due to delays and replaced by B.19/27 Boulton Paul P.32, de Havilland DH.72 Canberra
25/27Twin engine medium day-bomber – Sidestrand II production order – see also 9/24Boulton Paul Sidestrand II
26/27General purpose aircraft – D.H.9A replacementBristol Beaver, de Havilland Hound, Fairey Ferret, Gloster Goral, Vickers 131 Valiant, Vickers Venture, Vickers Vixen, Westland Wapiti
F.29/27Fighter utilizing a 37 mm cannon from Coventry Ordnance Works to meet similar requirements as F.20/27Vickers Type 161, Westland C.O.W. Gun Fighter, Bristol Type 112
33/27'Postal Aircraft' – experimental very-long range aeroplane for world distance-record attemptFairey Long-range Monoplane
M.5/28Torpedo bomber – Spec superseded by M.1/30 Handley Page H.P.41
R.6/28Patrol/reconnaissance flying boatShort Sarafand
8/28Racing seaplane for 1929 Schneider Trophy using Rolls-Royce R engine, for use by RAF High Speed FlightSupermarine S.6
13/28Long-range bomber – Virginia production orderVickers Virginia
C.16/28Bomber-transport capable of carrying 30 fully armed troops, or their equivalent in cargo or bombs, for a distance of nonstopGloster TC.33, Handley Page H.P.43, Vickers Type 163, Bristol Type 115, Bristol Type 116
F.17/28Bulldog II production orderBristol Bulldog Mk.II
21/28High-speed mailplane for Imperial AirwaysBoulton & Paul Mailplane, Boulton Paul P.71A
1/29General purpose aircraft Westland Wapiti
2/29Two-seat carrier-borne torpedo-bomber Blackburn Ripon IIA
3/29Troop transport aircraftHandley Page Clive II
4/29Ab initio trainer – Moth with de Havilland Gipsy I orderde Havilland Gipsy Moth
5/29Elementary trainer Hawker Tomtit
6/29General purpose landplaneBlackburn C.A.15C, Boulton & Paul P.42, Westland Limousine V
7/29Troop carrying aeroplane Vickers Victoria V
8/29Single-seat fighter Armstrong Whitworth Siskin IIIA
9/29Day bomber Hawker Hart
10/29Medium day-bomber Boulton Paul Sidestrand III
11/29Day and night fighter Bristol Bulldog IIA
12/29Spotter reconnaissance aeroplane for the Fleet Air Arm Fairey IIIF
13/29Heavy night-bomber Handley Page Hinaidi II
14/29Army co-operation aircraftCancelled
15/29General purpose aircraftCancelled
16/29Experimental tailless aircraftWestland-Hill Pterodactyl IV
17/29All-metal torpedo-bomber Hawker Horsley
18/29General reconnaissance flying boat – military version of Short S.8 CalcuttaShort Rangoon

Post 1949 specifications. Air Staff Operational Requirements/targets

SpecORYearTypeRelated aircraft
ER.1001950Experimental low-speed research aircraft with highly-swept wings in support of F23/49 Short SB.5
M.101NA.281950, 1952Three-seat anti-submarine aircraftFairey Firefly AS.7
N1021950Two-seat trainer for Royal NavyBoulton Paul Sea Balliol
ER.1031950Delta-wing research aircraft capable of Mach 1.5Fairey Delta 2
B.104OR.2851950Low-level, medium-range Pathfinder aircraft for Bomber CommandVickers Valiant B.2
F.105DOR.288/21951Swept wing day-fighter development of E41/46 for RAFSupermarine Swift
F.105D2High performance derivative of Supermarine SwiftSupermarine Type 545
F.105P2OR.288/31951Production of Supermarine Swift Marks 1–4Supermarine Swift
N.105D&PNA.341952Navalised version of Supermarine SwiftSupermarine Type 548
FR.105D&POR.3081952Fighter-reconnaissance version of Supermarine SwiftSupermarine Swift FR.5
PR.105D&POR.3101952Medium/high-altitude reconnaissance version of Supermarine SwiftSupermarine Swift PR.6
F.105D&P31953Supermarine Swift armed with Fairey Fireflash air-to-air missilesSupermarine Swift F.7
H.1061951General purpose helicopter – update of E.34/46 Bristol Sycamore Mark 3
A.106P1951Production of Sycamore helicopter for ArmyBristol Sycamore HC.11
HR.106P – HR.106P5OR.3041952–53Air-sea rescue helicopters for RAF and RAAFBristol Sycamore HR.12, HR.50, HR.13, HR.51, HR.14
N.107NA.301951Naval all-weather fighterde Havilland Sea Venom
F.108OR.265/21951Night fighter for RAFde Havilland Venom NF.2
UB.109AST.10971951–1953Expendable Bomber Bristol Type 182, Vickers Type 655, Boulton Paul P123
ER.110T1951Variable sweepback research monoplaneArmstrong Whitworth AW.59, Blackburn B.90, Boulton Paul P.121, Bristol Type 183, Saro P.149
F.111POR.2651951Interim jet-powered night fighter for RAFde Havilland Vampire NF.10
T.111P1952Two-seat trainer version of de Havilland Vampirede Havilland Vampire T.11
T.111P2NA.361952Two seat Vampire Trainer for RNde Havilland Sea Vampire T.22
R.112DOR.231/3Reconnaissance flying boatShort PD.3
N.113D&PNA.171951–1953Supermarine N.9/47 Development and ProductionSupermarine Type 544 Scimitar F.1
N.114TNA.141951All-weather Naval FighterArmstrong Whitworth AW.165, Blackburn B.89, Fairey N.114T, Saro P.148, Short PD.5, Westland N.114T
C.115POR.266/21951VIP version of Handley Page HastingsHandley Page Hastings C.4
T.116DOR.2781951Trainer version of de Havilland DH.110 for RAF
F118D, F118Pc. 1953All-weather fighter"Super Javelin" Gloster Javelin with new wing. Gloster GA.6/P.356
F.119D1952Hawker Hunter derivative with reheated Rolls-Royce Avon RA.14R and increased wingsweepHawker P.1083
U.120D1951Remotely piloted target aircraftML U.120
C.121POR.3001952Communication aircraft for RAFPercival Pembroke C.1
ID.122D&P1953Intruder version of Canberra bomberEnglish Electric Canberra B8
PR.122P1954High-altitude reconnaissance version of CanberraEnglish Electric Canberra PR.9
M.123NA.321954Light carrier-based anti submarine aircraftShort Seamew
F.124TOR.3011952Rocket fighter – superseded by F.137D and F.138D for Avro and Saro designsAvro 720, Blackburn B.97, Boulton Paul P.122, Bristol Type 178, Fairey F.124T, Hawker P.1089, Saro P.154, Short PD.7, Westland F.124T
EH.1251952Experimental rotor-blade tip-jet powered helicopterPercival P.74
B.126TOR.3141952Low-level bomber – cancelled 1954Avro 721, Bristol 186, Handley Page H.P.99, Short PD.9.
H.127NA.371952Westland-Sikorsky WS-55
HCC.1271958Whirlwind helicopter for Queens FlightWestland Whirlwind HCC 8
B.128POR.229/31952Production of Victor B.1 bomberHandley Page Victor B.1
B.128P21958Improved version of Victor bomberHandley Page Victor B.2
B.129P1952Production of Vulcan B.1Avro Vulcan B.1
B.129P21958Improved version of Avro VulcanAvro Vulcan B.2
T.130D&P1952Conversion of unsold Handley Page Marathon airliners to navigation trainers for RAFHandley Page Marathon T.11
N.131T1952All weather fighter for Royal Navy – no further actionde Havilland DH.116
C.132OR.3151952Long-range jet transportVickers V.1000
ER.133Rocket-powered research aircraft – not issuedBristol Type 178
ER.134D1954High-speed research aircraftBristol Type 188
F.137DOR.301/21953Rocket powered interceptor – written around Avro 720Avro 720
F.138DOR.301/21953Mixed rocket-jet interception fighter – written around SR.53Saunders-Roe SR.53
F.139NA.38/31954Two-seat naval all-weather fighterde Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.1
D.140P1953Pilotless target conversion of Fairey FireflyFairey Firefly U.8
OR.3231953Transport aircraft – Hastings and Valetta replacement. Vickers 799 selected but requirement superseded by C.195/OR.344 written around Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 ArgosyArmstrong Whitworth AW.55 and AW.56, Aviation Trader ATL-95, Blackburn B-104, Bristol Type 179, Vickers Type 799
RH.142DOR.3341953VTOL transport aircraftFairey Rotodyne; later cancelled
ER.1431953Experimental direct jet-lift VTOL research aircraftShort SC.1
HR.144OR.319344081953Ultra Light HelicopterFairey ULH
HR.146D&PNA.431953Development of Bristol 173 for the Royal Navy. Cancelled in favour of Westland Wessex.Bristol Type 191 for the Royal Navy
T147TOR.318Advanced jet trainer – not progressedAvro Type 725
M.148NA.391954Low level naval strike aircraftBlackburn Buccaneer S.1, Armstrong Whitworth AW.168, Fairey M.148T, Hawker P.1108, Short PD.13, Westland M.148T
HR.149D&PASR.3261955Anti-submarine development of the Bristol 173 for RAF.Bristol Type 191
H.150D&POR.325Twin-rotor transport helicopter for RAFDevelopment of the Bristol 191 for the Royal Air ForceBristol Type 192 as the Westland Belvedere HC.1
C.151Communications aircraftde Havilland Heron C.2 and C.3
F.153D1955All weather fighter "Thin Wing Gloster All Weather Fighter". Updating of F.118. Gloster P.376
AEW.154NA.641955Carrier-based Airborne Early Warning aircraftFairey Gannet AEW.3
F.155TOR.3291955High-altitude fighter – Fairey Delta III selected but project cancelled in 1957Armstrong Whitworth AW.169, de Havilland DH.117, English Electric P.8, Fairey Delta III, Hawker P.1103, Saro P.187, Vickers Type 559
R.156TOR.3301954High-altitude supersonic reconnaissance aircraftAvro 730, English Electric P.10, Handley Page HP.100, Short PD.12, Vickers SP.4
RB.156TOR.330/21956Reconnaissance-bomber – development of R.156T – cancelled 1957Avro 730
T.157D&P1955Two-seat trainer version of Hawker Hunter for RAFHawker Hunter T.7
N.157D&P1957Two-seat trainer version of Hawker Hunter for Royal NavyHawker Hunter T.8
C.159P1955Purchase of single example of Bristol Freighter for A&AEEBristol Freighter Mk. 31
ER.1611955Research aircraft for narrow delta wingsArmstrong Whitworth AW.171, Armstrong Whitworth AW.172
F.162D1955Light jet fighter for RAF – development of Folland MidgeFolland Gnat F.1
H.1631955Light helicopter for AOP duties for Army and training for RAFSaunders-Roe Skeeter AOP.10, T.11, AOP.12, T.13
ER.163195?Experimental Fairey Delta 2 with de Havilland Gyron engine – later cancelledFairey Delta 2
FR.164D&P1958Fighter-reconnaissance version of Hawker HunterHawker Hunter FR.10
R.165DSpecification for radios and radar for de Havilland Comet C.2. Not proceeded with.Possibly related to de Havilland Comet 2R ELINT aircraft
ER.166D1955Jet-propelled lift-fan VTOL research aircraft – not proceeded withBoulton Paul P.132
F.167DHawker Hunter with AI.20 radar and de Havilland Firestreak air-to-air missiles. One aircraft builtHawker Hunter
D.168D&P1955Conversion of Fairey Firefly AS.4 and AS.5 to pilotless target droneFairey Firefly U.9
D.169D&P1955Conversion of Canberra B2 to pilotless target droneEnglish Electric Canberra U.10, U.14
HAS.170D&PNA.431956Anti-submarine helicopter for Royal NavyWestland Wessex HAS.1
D.171D&P1955Conversion of Avro Lincoln to pilotless target drone – Only two aircraft convertedAvro Lincoln U.5
F.172DLightweight supersonic fighter – variant of Folland Gnat with thin wing, afterburning engine and air-to-air missiles. UnbuiltFolland Gnat F.2
D.173D&PConversion of Gloster Meteor F.4 to pilotless target drones by Flight Refuelling LtdGloster Meteor U.15
D.174D&P1956Conversion of Gloster Meteor F.8 to pilotless target drones by Flight Refuelling LtdGloster Meteor U.16
ER.175Proposed conversion of de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter with jet flaps. Unbuilt
C.1761956Long range transport aircraft for RAF – military version of Bristol Britannia airlinerBristol Britannia C.1
F.177DOR.337 / NA.471956Mixed power interceptor for RAF and Royal NavySaunders-Roe SR.177
T.178D&P1957Dual control trainer version of English Electric LightningEnglish Electric Lightning T.4
TT.179DTarget-tug conversion of Meteor night fighter for RAF.
Not proceeded with, but similar conversions made for RN as TT.20
Gloster Meteor TT.20
ER.180D1956Sub-scale model of Avro 730 high-altitude reconnaissance-bomber to aid in development. Cancelled in 1957 with Avro 730Avro 731
ER.181TProposed high-speed research aircraft. Not proceeded with.
T.182DProposed conversion of English Electric Canberra B.2 to radar trainer. Unbuilt.
ER.183DProposed conversion by Handley Page of Jet Provost trainer for boundary layer control research. UnbuiltHandley Page HP.103
ER.184D1957Conversion by Marshall's of Cambridge of Auster T.7 to boundary layer control research aircraft. One aircraft converted.Marshalls MA.4
T.185D1958Two seat trainer version of Folland Gnat for RAF.Folland Gnat T.1
C.186P1957Twin-engined STOL transport for RAFScottish Aviation Twin Pioneer
D.187D&PProposed conversion of Gloster Meteor NF.11 to pilotless target drone. Unbuilt.
ER.189D1959Purpose-built research aircraft for blown flaps. One example built.Hunting H.126
CC.190DEvaluation of Edgar Percival EP.9 for Army Air Corps. Two tested, but no further purchases.Edgar Percival EP.9
HAS.191D1958Fairey Ultra Light Weight helicopter for anti-submarine and communications use from small ships. Two evaluated. No production.-
RB.192DGOR.339 / OR.3431957STOL Tactical-Strike/Reconnaissance aircraft capable of Mach 2 and suitable for operation from unpaved strips – Canberra replacement. TSR.2 selected.Avro 738, Bristol Type 204, English Electric P.17A, Vickers Type 571, BAC TSR.2
ER.193D1959Conversion of Fairey Delta 2 with new Ogee delta wing. Specification developed into ER.221 BAC.221
HAS.194D1959Small shipboard anti-submarine helicopterSaunders-Roe P.531
C.195OR.3441959Replacement for Hastings and Valetta. Requirement replaced OR.323 and written around military derivative of Armstrong Whitworth AW.650 Argosy.Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy
X.197T1959Research glider with slender delta wing – abandoned in favour of powered ER.197D.Avro 759, Bristol Type 215, Fairey X.197, Handley Page HP.115, Slingsby Sailplanes T.48, Supermarine Type 573, Miles M.110
ER.197D1959Powered research aircraft for low speed handling of narrow delta wings.Handley Page HP.115
UB.1981959Nuclear armed air-to surface missile for V-bombersAvro Blue Steel
D.199D&PProposed conversion of English Electric Canberra B2 to U.14 pilotless drones. Unbuilt.-
UB.200DOR.1159Long range nuclear armed guided bomb. Ramjet powered derivative of Blue Steel missile. Cancelled December 1959.[Blue Steel (missile)|Avro Blue Steel Phase 2]
H.2011960Version of Saunders-Roe P.531 for Army Air CorpsWestland Scout AH.1
D.202D&P1959Pilotless target droneGAF Jindivik
C.203ASR.3711959Long-range strategic transportAvro Type 756, Hawker P.1131, Handley Page HP.111, Short Belfast, Vickers VC10 Military Freighter
ER.204D1960Experimental VTOL aircraft using Bristol PegasusHawker P.1127
T.205D&P1960Two seat trainer version of English Electric LightningEnglish Electric Lightning T.5
ER.206OR.3461959Variable-sweep wing research aircraft, closely aligned with OR.346 for a strike aircraft for RAF and RN. Not developed.BAC/Type 588, Vickers ER.206, Vickers Type 583
CC.207D&6OR.3421960Purchase of de Havilland Canada Beaver for Army Air Corpsde Havilland Canada Beaver AL.1
D.208D&P1960Developed version of Jindivik target droneGAF Jindivik 102
D.209D&P1960Conversion of Gloster Meteor F.8 to pilotless target drones by Flight Refuelling Ltd. Similar to U.16Gloster Meteor U.21
RH.2101960Enlarged, Rolls-Royce Tyne-powered, military transport version of Fairey Rotodyne gyroplane.Fairey Rotodyne Z
HAS.211T1960Initial tender for improved version of Westland Wessex for Royal Navy. Specification developed fully in HAS.227.D&P.Westland Wessex HAS.3
C.212D&P1960de Havilland Comet Mk.4 transport for RAFde Havilland Comet C.4
C.213D&P1961Vickers VC10 transport for RAFVickers VC10 C.1
GAR.214DOR.3451960Tactical ground attack and reconnaissance aircraft. Specification issued to Hawker Siddeley. Abandoned by 1963
UT.215D&P1962Training round for Blue Steel without engine or warhead, to be carried by V-bombers for training flights. Unbuilt.-
HAS.2161961Small shipboard anti-submarine helicopter. Production version of Saro P.531Westland Wasp
ER.217Ground effect research machine to be built by Folland Aircraft. Not progressed.
MR.218DOR.350Maritime patrol aircraft for RAF. Avro Shackleton replacement. Superseded by MR.281/OR.357.
C.219D&P1963VIP transport aircraft – modified Hawker Siddeley HS.748 airlinerHawker Siddeley Andover
OR.303195?Lightweight fighter to intercept Soviet Tupolev Tu-4 bombersFolland Midge
FGA.236GOR.345195?V/STOL combat aircraft version of Hawker P.1127 – Harrier developmentHawker Siddeley Kestrel FGA.1
OR.35018 July 1960Maritime patrol aircraft to enter service by 1968Nimrod MR.1
OR.3511960V/STOL freighter English Electric P.36
OR.35619??Supersonic V/STOL – Spec. SR.250Hawker Siddeley P.1154; later cancelled
OR.35719??Maritime reconnaissance aircraft – led to NimrodHawker Siddeley Nimrod
OR.36219??Supersonic trainer aircraft – led to JaguarSEPECAT Jaguar
ASR.365196?Helicopter – Tactical SupportWestland Puma
ASR.367196?Bomber – Vulcan B.2 – see also B.35/46Avro Vulcan B.2
ASR.368196?Bomber – Victor B.2 – see also B.35/46Handley Page Victor B.2
ASR.372196?Trainer version of Lightning – Lightning T.5English Electric Lightning T.5
ASR.373196?VIP Transport aircraft – Andover CC.2Hawker Siddeley Andover CC.2
ASR.376196?Tanker aircraftHandley Page Victor B(K).1 / Handley Page Victor B(K).1A
C.239ASR.378196?Transport aircraft – VC10Vickers VC10
ASR.381196?Interim Maritime Patrol aircraft to Spec. MR.254 – written around AtlantiqueBreguet Atlantique
ASR.382196?Two-seat trainer version of P.1154 for RAF – cancelledHawker Siddeley P.1154
ASR.384196?Harrier requirement – see also GOR.345Hawker Siddeley Harrier
ASR.385196?Phantom for RAFMcDonnell Douglas F-4M Phantom II
ASR.3971970Basic jet trainer – BAC Jet Provost replacementBAE Systems Hawk T.1
ASR.400Airborne Early Warning AircraftHawker Siddeley Nimrod AEW.3
ASR.409Harrier replacementBAe/McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier GR.5
T.301AST.412Jet Provost replacementShort Tucano T.1
GOR.21959VTOL Strike Reconnaissance aircraftEnglish Electric P.31, Gloster P.505

Naval requirement/Aircraft, Naval Staff requirements

SpecReq.YearTypeRelated aircraft
U.25/49NA.03Small Pilotless Target Aircraft
N.12/45NA.07Single Seat, Long Range, Naval Fighter AircraftWestland Wyvern TF.2
N.114TNA.142-seat all-weather day/night fighter
N.9/47NA.1716/09/47Naval Fighter AircraftSupermarine Type 508, 525 and 529 Scimitar prototypes
S.14/48NA.2109/07/48Naval Version of Sikorsky S.51 HelicopterWestland Dragonfly HR.1
19/48PNA.27Production of a Naval Fighter to E.1/45Supermarine Attacker F.1
NA.31195?Skeeter for RN Saunders-Roe Skeeter
M.123NA.32195?Light carrier-borne Anti-submarine warfare aircraft to Spec. M.123Short Seamew
NA.34May 1952Hooked Swift for Carrier Trials
NA.36de Havilland Sea Vampire T.22
M.148NA.3908/02/53Carrier borne strike aircraft to Spec. M.148TArmstrong Whitworth AW.168, Blackburn Buccaneer, Short PD.13
NA.43Anti-Submarine and General Purpose helicopter
NA.47195?Mixed rocket-jet interception fighter for Royal NavySaunders-Roe SR.177; cancelled 1957
NSR.645119??V/STOL carrier borne fighter aircraft – Naval Hawker Siddeley HarrierBAE Sea Harrier

General Staff Requirements For Aircraft

SpecGSRYearTypeRelated aircraft
GSR.3335196?Helicopter – Westland Scout replacementWestland Lynx
GSR.3336196?Helicopter – Bell 47G Sioux replacementWestland Gazelle