Found in the files at the Naval Historical Center in DC:
M E M O R A N D U M
From:
The Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics.
To:
The Under Secretary of the Navy.
SUBJECT:
Model Designation of Naval Aircraft.
1. This bureau concurs with the proposal of the Under Secretary of the Navy that names be given to the various types of naval airplanes. It is suggested that these names be used in press releases and other places where they will appeal to the public interest but that the present system of designations be continued for official purposes.
2. The following names are submitted for consideration:
Type
Manufacturer
Present Designation
Proposed Supplemental Designation
Fighter
Grumman
F2F
Lightning
Grumman
F3F
Planet
Grumman
F4F
Comet
Grumman
F5F
Sky Rocket
Grumman
F5F
Meteor
Vought
F4U
Mercury
Brewster
F2A
Twister
Brewster
F3A
Tempest
Torpedo Bomber
Douglas
TBD
Scorpion
Grumman
TBF
Dragon
Vought
TBU
Tarantula
Utility & Utility Transport
Grumman
JRF
Locust
Grumman
JRF
Cricket
Sikorsky
JRS
Scarab
Small Transport
Beech
GB
Bee
Beech
JRB
Beetle
Transport
Lockheed
R5O
Lodestar
Douglas
R2D
Goliath
Douglas
R3D
Goliath
Douglas
R4D
Goliath
Scout Observation
Curtiss
SOC-1,-2,-3
Pioneer
N.A.F.
SON
Pathfinder
Curtiss
SO3C
Scout
Observation Scout
Vought
OS2U
Observer
Scout Bomber
Vought
SBU-1,-2
Hartford
Vought
SB2U-l,-2, -3
Stratford
Curtiss
SBC3-4
Niagara
Curtiss
SB2C-1
Erie
Northrup
BT-1
Arrowhead
Douglas
SBD-1,-2,-3
Mohave
Brewster
SB2A
Jersey
N.A.F.
SBN
Delaware
Bomber Patrol
Douglas
BD-1
Imperial
Bomber
Consolidated
P2Y
Capistrano
Consolidated
PBY
Clemente
Consolidated
PB2Y
Coronado
Martin
PBM
Maryland
Martin
PB2M
Matapeake
Boeing
PBB
Seattle
N.A.F.
PBN
Schuylkill
Trainer
Ryan
NR
Padre
Stearman
N8,N28-1,-2, -3
Dixie
N.A.F.
N3N-1, -3
Quaker
Spartan
NP
Sooner
Advance Trainer
Curtiss
SNC
Yankee
North American
NJ, SNJ
Bruin.
Cdr. Durgin
3 June 1941
"If scientists and inventors who develop disease cures and useful technologies don't get lifetime royalties, I'd like to know what fucking rationale you have for some guy getting lifetime royalties for writing an episode of Full House." - Mike Wong
"The present air situation in the Pacific is entirely the result of fighting a fifth rate air power." - U.S. Navy Memo - 24 July 1944
