Identifying plane types
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 210
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From: Brighton
Identifying plane types
Hi Guys
I am not new to aviation as such but when I am in airports I am always trying to id aircraft types - like from a distance how would one tell an A320 from a 737-500? Or a 757 from a 767? or an A300 from a A330? The smaller types like 146s, ATRs, Fokkers are easy.
Its because I am not around planes much I'm not used to it. Is there anything I can look at for easy identification (not the manufacturer name!!) - i.e cockpit/nose design, winglets, tailfin, engines, window/door layouts etc
Thanks
I am not new to aviation as such but when I am in airports I am always trying to id aircraft types - like from a distance how would one tell an A320 from a 737-500? Or a 757 from a 767? or an A300 from a A330? The smaller types like 146s, ATRs, Fokkers are easy.
Its because I am not around planes much I'm not used to it. Is there anything I can look at for easy identification (not the manufacturer name!!) - i.e cockpit/nose design, winglets, tailfin, engines, window/door layouts etc
Thanks
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Dublin, Ireland
The aviation hobby shop at LGW would be a good bet, if you're passing through. It's on the 4th floor of the south terminal, on the observation deck.
There's a Janes book on aircraft recognition which would probably be ideal for you.
There's a Janes book on aircraft recognition which would probably be ideal for you.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 71
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From: SW, UK
look at the wing tips, tail and relative body diameter.
generally Airbuses have wing fences or the A330 has raked wing tips. 737's have do not have a straight front edge to the tail fin.
etc etc
also 6 wheels per bogey on a twin fan is a 777
best find the books mentioned if you get stuck in.
FS
generally Airbuses have wing fences or the A330 has raked wing tips. 737's have do not have a straight front edge to the tail fin.
etc etc
also 6 wheels per bogey on a twin fan is a 777
best find the books mentioned if you get stuck in.
FS
You can buy it from Man of the Marsh
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 253
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From: LGW
Irishwingz, all the above is undoubtedly sound advice. With so many similar configurations around, I venture to suggest that many of us who actually fly the kit for a living have trouble making a precise ID on certain types from a distance, these days!
During WW2 the Royal Observer Corps, who recruited from amongst the local population, used an acronym in their training, W E N T --- Wings Engines Nose Tail. Not an infallible system, according to the number of allied aircrew who were fired upon by their own side
, but a good systematic process in general.
My Dad taught me this when I was a kid and the skies were occupied by a handful of jets and a plethora of props. Still seems to work well for me today, though.
If you are near an airport, you could add a U for Undercarriage (N.Am: Landing Gear).
During WW2 the Royal Observer Corps, who recruited from amongst the local population, used an acronym in their training, W E N T --- Wings Engines Nose Tail. Not an infallible system, according to the number of allied aircrew who were fired upon by their own side
, but a good systematic process in general.My Dad taught me this when I was a kid and the skies were occupied by a handful of jets and a plethora of props. Still seems to work well for me today, though.
If you are near an airport, you could add a U for Undercarriage (N.Am: Landing Gear).
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: the dark side of the moon!
If it looks and sounds like a big bag of !!!!! then it's probably an Antonov or an Illuyshin,
If it's REALLY noisy it's Concorde,
If it skims the hedge/peri fence it's an ATP,
If it smokes like hell and makes alot of racket its a 737-200,
3 engines and looks like the middle one on the tail was an afterthough it's a DC-10,
3 engines and looks gorgeous its a Tristar,
If the engine cowls look like they've suffered a wheels up landing its a 737-300/400/500
Bent wing tips and 2 engines that don't look man enough for the job it's an A330,
Bent wing tips and 4 engines that don't look man enough for the job and some silly spare wheels under the fuselage its an A340,
High tail, high wing and 4 hair dryers under the wings, it's a Bae146/RJ,
..........what you really want is a dirty, noisy, grey coloured thing with 2 engines that spit dirty great sheets of flame on demand, wings that move backwards and forwards, and 2 seats that if all goes pear shaped will catapult you out into the 600knot breeze before your sphincter has even thought about twitching, and the best bit......you can blow !!!!! up with it too!!! Check these out at an airbase near you today!!!!
(OOP'S - how many pilots have I just offended?!!)
If it's REALLY noisy it's Concorde,
If it skims the hedge/peri fence it's an ATP,
If it smokes like hell and makes alot of racket its a 737-200,
3 engines and looks like the middle one on the tail was an afterthough it's a DC-10,
3 engines and looks gorgeous its a Tristar,
If the engine cowls look like they've suffered a wheels up landing its a 737-300/400/500
Bent wing tips and 2 engines that don't look man enough for the job it's an A330,
Bent wing tips and 4 engines that don't look man enough for the job and some silly spare wheels under the fuselage its an A340,
High tail, high wing and 4 hair dryers under the wings, it's a Bae146/RJ,
..........what you really want is a dirty, noisy, grey coloured thing with 2 engines that spit dirty great sheets of flame on demand, wings that move backwards and forwards, and 2 seats that if all goes pear shaped will catapult you out into the 600knot breeze before your sphincter has even thought about twitching, and the best bit......you can blow !!!!! up with it too!!! Check these out at an airbase near you today!!!!
(OOP'S - how many pilots have I just offended?!!)
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,627
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From: UTC +8
Photos of Airliners ...you could easily lose yourself in spending an entire week looking at over 340,000 photos of civil transport category jets. 
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: STN and HPN
This is the guide OpsChic is referring to. It's very easy to use and gives a couple of tips on each of the major Boeing and Airbus aircraft (also MD).Details of where to get it can be fund online HERE
OPSCHIC: I look nothing like
- today I'm more like 
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 210
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From: Brighton
Opschic, Drsyn, BAE, eng, Becks, Irish lads and the rest, thanks for that info. I found the anti Airbus digs funny even though I dont understand the difference and NO I dont want to start that kind of thread
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is great, i will probably get that book allright. looks cool.
Cheers and keep uo the posts
!!!!!!!!!!!!!! is great, i will probably get that book allright. looks cool.
Cheers and keep uo the posts
