What does the "P" in P-51 and P-38 stand for?

Question

Just like F is for fighter, B for Bomber, C for cargo (I think), and all of the ther ones.

Answer 1

P = Pursuit

B = Bomber

C = Cargo

PT = Primary Trainer

BT = Basic Trainer

AT = Advanced Trainer

CG =Combat Glider

There were others, the WWII USN system was much more complicated; giving the job, model and manufacuter by a series of codes.

SBD = Scout, Bomber, Douglas Aircraft

SB2C = Scout, Bomber, 2nd model from, Curtiss Aircraft

F4F = Figher, 4th model from, Grumman

FM-2 = Figher, General Motors, 2nd iteration of same model (the difference here is, for the most part, the F4F and FM-2 were the same airplane built by two different manufacturers under license)

Answer 2

Pursuit

Answer 3

I got here too late. They already got it, about the Pursuit thing. During WW II, the Air Force was actually a branch of the Army. Not until after the war did the Air Force become its own branch of military. This is when the P was dropped in favor of F for Fighter.It was both the German and American public that used the name "Fighter" all the time in place of "Pursuit" during the war.

Answer 4

Pursuit, they were the fastest of the fast planes of there day.

Answer 5

Pursuit.