Author Topic: US Navy using French terminology? (Read 432 times)

Kirin · « **on:** December 04, 2004, 06:05:17 AM »

Greetings aces

I found a thread on the Pacific Fighters BBS where they discussed what the "VMF" in the squad designation stands for. It's quite interesting how many different ideas came up.

Well, if following is the truth you better start buying baquettes again...

Quote

On 17 July 1920, the Secretary of the Navy prescribed a standard nomenclature for types and classes of naval vessels, including aircraft, in which lighterthan-air craft were identified by the type “Z” and heavier-than-air craft by the letter “V”. Class letters assigned within the Z type were R, N and K for rigid dirigibles, non-rigid dirigibles and kite balloons respectively, while F, O, S, P, T and G were established for fighter, observation, scouting, patrol, torpedo and bombing, and Fleet planes as classes within the V type. The use of the “V” designation with fix-wing heavier-than-air squadron designations has been a question of debate since the 1920s. However, no conclusive evidence has been found to identify why the letter “V” was chosen.
It is generally believed the “V” was in reference to the French word volplane. As a verb, the word means to glide or soar.

SAW pour la victoir!

Kirin · « **Reply #1 on:** December 04, 2004, 06:06:32 AM »

oh forgot the link

Gunslinger · « **Reply #2 on:** December 04, 2004, 10:04:41 AM »

I recall once being told that the V in VMF is "Vectoring" DOn't know if its true or not BUT

Vectoring
Marine
Fighter

Navy is just VF

Most of todays Marine Harrier squadrons are VMA for attack

Nefarious · « **Reply #3 on:** December 04, 2004, 11:18:41 AM »

Yea Hes Right, V Is heavier than Air. I don't know if it's based on a French Word though.

I don't know where he got G for bombing, I always thought it was B for Bombing in WW2, and later switched to A for Attack.

SFRT - Frenchy · « **Reply #4 on:** December 04, 2004, 12:52:42 PM »

Humm ... volplane is not really used nowadays, except when you describe sliding on something and ending up falling on your but in a spectacular fashion.

Appart from the designation, I would not be surprise for the Navy and the Air Force to be using a lot French words.

ASTAC · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2004, 11:26:42 PM »

In Navy terminology the "V" is for "Fixed wing" "H" for rotary wing

VA= Fixed wing attack

VF=Fixed wing fighter

and so on...

VMF=Fixed wing Marine Fighter

Holden McGroin · « **Reply #6 on:** December 05, 2004, 01:18:49 AM »

Any navy who calls them 'port holes' uses French terminology.

Henry VI (England) had a French shipwright who first put cannon behind doors in the hull instead of shooting over the gunwales.

He installed 'portes' or doors in the hull. They became portholes.

bunch · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2004, 03:15:20 AM »

V stands for "Vulching"

BUG_EAF322 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2004, 04:35:20 AM »

How a bout Chevrolet a from origin french guy who made famous american cars.

straffo · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2004, 04:57:32 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by BUG_EAF322
How a bout Chevrolet a from origin french guy who made famous american cars.

and Cadillac

Gunslinger · « **Reply #10 on:** December 05, 2004, 10:52:16 AM »

I think we got this from the french as well:

sorry I rarely french bash and I figured if I didn't say something someone else would