This is the original series of Army and Air Force pursuit and fighter aircraft, beginning with the Curtiss P-1 and ending with the General Dynamics F-111. In 1947, the Type Symbol of P (pursuit) was changed to F (fighter), but the same model numbers were kept. For example, P-51 became F-51, P-80 became F-80, etc.
New Fighter Series--1962 to present
In 1962, a new unified fighter designation scheme was begun, one in which
both the Navy and the Air Force designated their aircraft in the
same manner. As part of this new system, a new fighter series
was initiated. These are the USAF entries in the new fighter sequence,
which begins with the F-4 Phantom and continues to the F-23.
Finally, there is the singular example of the F-117, the so-called "stealth fighter". Its
designation falls in neither the old nor the new fighter designation scheme, and is in a
category by itself.
| Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk |
Don't forget to put in the F.