Military Aircraft Identification Guide
When it comes to military aircraft, a stunning world unfolds above our heads, shrouded in secrecy and marvel. Countless aircraft soar through the skies, carrying out missions shrouded in mystery and serving as guardians of nations. However, for most of us, deciphering one aircraft from another can feel as daunting as decrypting ancient hieroglyphics. Fear not, for we have crafted the ultimate Military Aircraft Identification Guide, bridging the gap between puzzlement and knowledge. Embark on an adventure through the captivating realm of supersonic jets, stealth bombers, and nimble helicopters, as we decode the enigmatic world of military aviation, one aircraft at a time. Whether you are an aviation enthusiast, historian, or simply a curious bystander, unlock the vault of information and embark on a journey that will unveil the secrets hidden within the captivating world of military aircraft. Get ready to soar high, spread your wings, and unravel the beauty that lies within the captivating tapestry of military aviation.
Idiot’s guide to identifying modern jet fighters
Not a fighter and not on this list, just here as a tease.
Woken up drunk in air combat with no idea who the enemy is? It’s happened to all of us, now thanks to this handy guide you will be able to tell your ‘Flankers’ from your Gripens, and avoid the embarrassment and social stigma of fratricide.
Canard deltas
Some fighters look like a triangle with another smaller triangle in front, these are canard deltas.
Dassault Rafale
A box that looks like a packet of tin-foil near the top of the tail. A big bent ‘walking stick’ near the front. And the ‘mouth’ is in two parts (on either side of the lower body) each shaped like a kidney. The front triangles (or canards) are close to the back triangles (the wings).
Relatively rare. Can be seen in France or in hot countries with poor human rights.
Eurofighter Typhoon
Notice how the little front triangles are further from the main triangle than the Rafale.
A big mouth like a VCR player (gen Z and Gen Alpha readers will need to Google this). Sausage-like pods on the extreme wingtips – never missiles. A lop-sided frog eye on one side near the window bit. The front triangle is a little further from the back triangle than the others.
Pretty common, can be seen in five European countries or hot countries with poor human rights.
Note the lop-sided frog eye bit, video mouth and absence of tinfoil box on the tail.
Saab JAS-39 Gripen
Only one engine (the bum-hole at the back) and the little triangle is sharply swept. The mouths look like they could suck up a standing suitcase. It’s also smaller and more svelte than the other and has a pinched waist like it’s wearing a corset.
Relatively rare, can be seen in Central/Eastern European countries popular for stag-dos, Sweden and some other popular holiday destinations.
Chengdu J-10
One bum-hole..is that the Gripen? Nope- it’s the J-10. Note the rounded wingtips and two little fins on the bottom near the back. Has a mouth like a small VCR player. Also, like the Rafale has a walking stick bit sticking out the front near the window.
Not a Gripen! Bigger front triangles, round raked-back wingtips and little fins on the underside of the rear body.
Common…if you’re in mainland China, otherwise extremely unlikely to see.
Grumpy mouth and little tinfoil packet on the fin? Later model J-10B or C.
Letterbox mouth and clean vertical fin: early J-10
Chengdu J-20 
Should be an easy one to spot. It’s MASSIVE. Has two vertical tails (unlike any other canard delta aircraft). Two bum-holes. Weird boat-like hull shaped body (like an F-22 or F-35). The wings are relatively small compared to the main body and the little triangles are extremely far from the big triangles. Like the J-10, it has little fins on the rear underside of the body. Looks like a cool futuristic baddy plane (bit like Firefox).
Rare unless you’re in mainland China, which as you’re reading this on the open internet, I assume you’re not.
The twin-tails
These all have twin vertical tails (those big vertical fin things at the back on the top).
These guys have a big triangle at the front at a little triangle at the back, which looks more traditional.
Lockheed Martin F-22 Lightning II
The Raptor is big and loud and the cockpit canopy (the big glass window) reflects with a weird gold sheen (like that of the Rafale and F-35 it contains gold I think). The wings and tail are weirdly angular as if designed by a nerd with a ruler. Stealthy fighters look a bit like they haven’t been taken out of their packaging yet. The bum-holes look like zig-zaggy paddles or the vizor on a Gothic suit of armour. Zigzagged panel lines are there to help aircraft hide from radar, so are seen on stealthy designs like the F-22, F-35, J-20 and to a lesser extent, Rafale.
Rare, even in America.
If an aircraft’s main body (the fancy word for this is ‘fuselage’) looks like a rounded off diamond from the front, it is probably designed to hide from radars; this is the case for the F-22
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Credit: militarymachines
Is that an F-22? Nooooooooooo. Similar look, but whereas the Raptor looks like a perky athletic Alsatian guard dog with alert eyes and tail high, the F-35 looks like a fatter hound drooping from exhaustion. F-35 has one bum-hole and smaller less swept wings. The F-35 is also smaller. The Chinese J-31 looks like it but hasn’t entered service yet, so let’s ignore it for now.
Reasonably common in the US, and in small communities around the world in rich countries. Sound cool by calling it by its US nickname of ‘Panther’.
Credit: F-16.net
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1. “Taking Flight: A Comprehensive Military Aircraft Identification Guide”
Get ready to soar through the skies and discover the fascinating world of military aircraft with our comprehensive identification guide. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a history buff, or just curious about the incredible machines that dominate the sky, this guide is your ultimate companion.
In this all-encompassing resource, we’ve meticulously compiled and classified a vast array of military aircraft from various nations and eras. From iconic fighters to nimble reconnaissance planes, each entry provides a wealth of information, including detailed specifications, historical significance, and stunning photographs that capture the essence of these magnificent flying beasts.
- Immerse yourself in the rich diversity of aircraft types, from bombers to helicopters.
- Explore the evolution of technology and design that has shaped the modern military aviation landscape.
- Gain a deeper understanding of the strategic roles these aircraft play in defense systems worldwide.
With our user-friendly interface and intuitive search capabilities, dive into the marvels of military aircraft, unleashing your inner aviation aficionado. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned aircraft spotter, this guide empowers you to unravel the mysteries of military aviation and appreciate the countless hours of innovation and ingenuity that have gone into creating
2. “Eyes to the Skies: Your Essential Companion to Military Aircraft Recognition
Early development of skills[edit]
In the United Kingdom, The Royal Observer Corps (ROC) was formed as a defence warning organisation with civilians trained in aircraft recognition and operated primarily as such between 1925 and 1957. Aircraft recognition was first developed between the First and Second World wars when aerial warfare was first recognised as a future threat, after 208 Zeppelin and 435 aircraft raids over London during the First World War. In 1917 Germany had started using fixed-wing bombers, and the number of airship raids diminished rapidly.
To answer this new threat, Major General Edward Bailey Ashmore,[1] a First World War pilot who had later been in command of an artillery division in Belgium, was appointed to devise improved systems of detection, communication and control. The Metropolitan Observation Service was created, covering the London area, known as the London Air Defence Area, and was soon extended to the coasts of Kent and Essex. This led to the establishment of the Observer Corps in 1925.
It was the creed of the British War Department and the Air Ministry, at the start of the war, that accurate recognition of high-flying and fast-moving aircraft was not possible. The sparetime volunteers of the Observer Corps disagreed and between 1938 and 1939 they started developing the skills and training materials to achieve it, on an unofficial basis.
Local units began to band together and form spotting clubs caller Hearker clubs that eventually combined in April 1941 as The Royal Observer Corps Club and prepared early aircraft type silhouette cards for both allied and German types, mostly made by tracing photographs from The Aeroplane magazine, with some made by enlarging silhouettes from commercially produced 1930s cigarette card sets. Technical editor of The Aeroplane, Peter Masefield, who was also a member of the Corps, travelled the length of Britain giving lectures and training sessions.
The club also produced a fortnightly magazine, The Aeroplane Spotter, with the help of The Aeroplane‘s printers, that was eventually distributed to every unit in the Corps. Large wall posters were produced that showed every known type of aircraft. The WEFT (Wingshape, Engine configuration, Fuselage shape and Tail type) system of recognition was first developed by Chief Observer C.H. Gibbs-Smith of Watford Group’s Delta 3 post and a member of Hearker Club No. 3.[2]
Recognition competitions were organised locally, regionally and nationally and by the start of World War II the Corps had trained nearly 30,000 volunteers to accurately recognise all types of current aircraft. The unofficial Aeroplane Spotter magazine was later renamed as The Journal of the Royal Observer Corps Club before being adopted as an official publication and renamed as The Royal Observer Corps Journal published by HMSO and distributed to every observer at a price of one shilling (5 new pence).
In April 1942 the club initiated recognition proficiency tests, later adopted officially by the ROC, with three levels:
- 3rd Class level (later renamed Basic level) – 50% correct
- 2nd Class level (later renamed Intermediate level) – 70% correct
- 1st Class level (later renamed Master level) – 90% or more correct
In September 1942 the government recognised the usefulness and effectiveness of the systems developed by the sparetime observers and first published Aircraft Recognition: The Inter-services Recognition Journal with early content copied from previous editions of Aeroplane Spotter and The Royal Observer Corps Journal. Featured tests included Airborne Headaches and Amuse and Confuse.
With official recognition by HQ Royal Observer Corps and the Air Ministry that accurate recognition of aircraft was achievable, the systems developed by the volunteers were adopted as official training. The Royal Observer Corps Club disbanded in the autumn of 1942. In December 1943 the annual Master Test of aircraft recognition was introduced as a compulsory test for all observers and a basic level pass was mandatory for continued membership of the ROC. In the first year those observers who had achieved a club pass at 3rd class level were declared exempt from the basic test requirement.
The Royal Observer Corps established an annual four-man recognition team, with keen competition amongst observers for selection. The team continued to compete annually in the UK’s Joint Services Aircraft Recognition Competition and in international competitions with other NATO countries until 1991, despite aircraft recognition being dropped as an operational role for the Corps in 1957. There was also a hard-fought annual competition with the Luftmeldekorpsett, the Danish Ground Observer Corps.
