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Whats in a name?

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  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Canada / Czech Republic
Whats in a name?
Posted by upnorth on Thursday, April 3, 2003 11:45 AM
In a recent thread I got started regarding Mirage aircraft, we got strted talking about the name of the aircraft as a marketing tool.

Every aircraft has to have a name, but most have an entire collection of names, the one the manufacturer gives it and a gaggle of nicknames (flattering and not so) that it gets from those who work with it in its service career.

What do you know about your favorite aircraft types names and nicknames and how they came into being? Some interesting stories to be told here I'm sure Smile [:)]

For those wondering what this might have to do with modeling, its really simple: If you attend model shows and competitions, every model has a name tag describing what it is, you can call it by its official name that the manufacturer or government gave it, or you can give it one of those real interesting nicknames that it got in service that make people wonder where the name came from. Its a good way to get conversation flowing and liven up shows a bit. The nicknames are always more attention getting and will in turn keep someone looking at the model for longer than they might otherwise, trying to figure out from appearances what might have lead to the nickname.

The only rule before you post anything, and this should go without saying, is KEEP IT CLEAN! We all know what BUFF and SLUFF really translate into. I can think of an unmentionable nickname I heard for the Chinook helicopter once too. Certainly there's enough clean (and still interesting) nicknames out there that we don't need to bring the more "colorful" ones into view here.

I'll start with one of my favorite aircraft, the F-111. Official name, Aardvark. Great name for intimidation purposes, assuming your adversary is a termite colony and nothing else. The real aardvark is a fairly docile creature in nature and the only real commonality between the plane and its namesake is that they're both largely noctournal.

The Australian nickname for the F-111 is "The Pig" A good descriptive in consideration of its low level operational prowess and a pig can actually be pushed to aggression much easier than an aardvark can anyway.Wink [;)]

Whats your favorite aircraft ? whats its name and why? :-)
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 3, 2003 12:09 PM
"Tomcat", the perfect image for Naval Avation, pilots and A/C. Comes home dirty and beat-up after an night of prowling the neighborhood looking for trouble. Evil [}:)]

USN aircraft usually have the coolest names. Intruder, Hellcat, Prowler, Crusader, Hornet, Corsair, though Skyhawk was a little too USAF if you ask me.

Falcon and Eagle are very nice names but just a little to clean and pretty for combat jets.
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 3, 2003 1:26 PM
During my time at NTC, we had A-10's flying support for the BLUFOR units (simulating the air to ground support). Having experienced many fly overs by A-10s (many coming in very, very low), I sure would hate to worry about these in a real conflict. You don't know they're coming until after they have flown past. By then it would be too late.

Anyways, I can't find anything on the Internet to back me up on this, but if I recall correctly, during my time at the NTC the old-timers, who had been in for a long time and done border patrols in Germany, said that the Soviets referred to the A-10 as the Iron Cross or something like the "Cross of Death". Has anyone else heard anything similiar?
  • Member since
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  • From: Oak Harbor, WA
Posted by Kolja94 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 1:50 PM
All I know is if they really do call the EA-18G the Growler, I'm going to be pretty unhappy.... where I come from a "Growler" means something else entirely, and isn't something you should go naming a plane after!! [:0]

Karl

  • Member since
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  • From: Iowa- USA
Posted by toadwbg on Thursday, April 3, 2003 2:02 PM
That's actually quite funny about the A-10 "Cross of Death". I always thought the A-10 should have been named the "Stuka" (after the WWII Ju-87) as it performs much of the same roles.

Of course this isn't politically correct in our sanitized world today but neither is a 30mm cannon opening up on your tank ;)

"I love modeling- it keeps me in the cool, dark, and damp basement where I belong" Current Projects: 1/48th Hasegawa F-14D- 25% 1/48th Tamiya Spitfire- 25%
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  • From: Lyons Colorado, USA
Posted by Ray Marotta on Thursday, April 3, 2003 2:09 PM
The Martin B-26 Official name: Marauder---unofficial---Baltimore Prostitute
The short wings gave it "No visible means of support"

 ]

 

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Joisey
Posted by John P on Thursday, April 3, 2003 3:03 PM
The official name of the F-16 is, of course "Fighting Falcon." But the pilots think that's wussy. They call it the "Viper."
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  • Member since
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  • From: Oak Harbor, WA
Posted by Kolja94 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 3:08 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by John P

The official name of the F-16 is, of course "Fighting Falcon." But the pilots think that's wussy. They call it the "Viper."


... or "Lawn Dart"

Karl

  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: NE Georgia
Posted by Keyworth on Thursday, April 3, 2003 4:07 PM
They also called the B-26 Marauder "the widowmaker" in its earliest guise :)
"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"
  • Member since
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  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 4:12 PM
Names have always been a synopsis of power and action. Take Republic with their "Thunder" series of aircraft. It signifies power. You want find an aircraft named after a non-action or non-power eneity. It just doesn't fit our image. Can you imigine if we named them after flowers or some other item? I can just see the combat report of a future mission.

"We took off in our Buttercups to escort a flight of Sea Shells on a bombing mission. Prior to entering the target area we were bounced by a flight of Tuxedoes. My Buttercup was damaged and I had to eject. I was picked out of the water by a SAR Potato"

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

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Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 3, 2003 4:53 PM
How about the Grumman S-2f known officially as the "Tracker" but more commonly called the "Stoof"...( S-TWO-F)

While we're in the ASW neighborhood, I always thought the name "Neptune" for the Lockheed P2 was appropriate.."the Ruler of the Seas"

Oh and can't forget another good one............the B1 "Bone", NOT Lancer!Wink [;)]
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 3, 2003 4:53 PM
Berny13,
Luckily the Buttercups got to be named Sabres. Sorry Berny, I am really a huge Sabre fan but I couldn't pass it up.

Funny post, though.

The thing I could never get about aircraft naming was how the U.S. gave its adversary's aircraft comical, foolish names like Frogfoot and Nancy. But the adversaries of the U.S. gave American A/C intimidating names, didn't the Japanese call the F-4U "whistling death" or something like that. I can't imagine wanting to give an enemy's A/C such a fearsome name.

N.
  • Member since
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  • From: Pominville, NY
Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 6:43 PM
Upnorth mentioned the F-111 and the Australian nickname, the "Pig". Such an inglorious label! I always thought that the name was in reference to the Vark being a gaz-guzzler, though. But the direct comparison to an actual hog makes sense as well.

The F-16 was mentioned, official and one or two unofficial names. Another rather over-used unofficial tag for the Falcon is the "Electric Jet".

The Iranian F-14's were known as "Ali-Cats". Also, USN Toms have been referred to as "Turkeys". Similarly, TBF/TBM Avengers were also known as "Turkeys". This is/was in reference to the look of each bird on approach. They both look like big-'ole turkeys, if you catch them at the right angle.

The F-4 has been subject to much re-naming, some of it unfair at times. My favorite is "Rhino".

The A-10 was mentioned, and the "Cross of Death" may very well have been a Soviet nickname for it. I dunno about that for sure, the only place I've seen that name in print was in a Clancy novel. I like just plain-'ole "Hog".

While we're talking about the Thunderbolt II, why not the first 'Bolt? The P-47 was referred to as the "Jug". This could be interpreted in two ways. The "semi-official" reason was that it was viewed as a juggernaut. Another is that the fuselage looked like a bottle of milk.

If I'm going on too long, tell me! (Excluding Berny! LOL) Also, sorry If I duplicate some of these already mentioned...

The F-8 (one of my fave fighters) was known as the "MiG-Master" as well as the "Mutha", though I prefer the former.

The B-1 is known as the "Bone".

The F-105 was known, as most of you might know, as the "Thud". Another was "The Triple Threat". First it would bomb you, then it would strafe you and, finally, it would fall on you.

The F-100 was called the "Hun".

The F-101 was also known as the "One-O-Wonder".


Fade to Black...
  • Member since
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  • From: Panama City, Florida, Hurricane Alley
Posted by berny13 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 7:37 PM
The F-111 was also called the "Wonder Eleven" It's a wonder you could the the thing in the air. Smile [:)]

B-wolf. You're taking up too much space and talking too much. Wink [;)]

Berny

 Phormer Phantom Phixer

On the bench

TF-102A Delta Dagger, 32nd FIS, 54-1370, 1/48 scale. Monogram Pro Modeler with C&H conversion.  

Revell F-4E Phantom II 33rd TFW, 58th TFS, 69-260, 1/32 scale. 

Tamiya F-4D Phantom II, 13th TFS, 66-8711, 1/32 scale.  F-4 Phantom Group Build. 

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 3, 2003 7:41 PM
whistling death, thats a pretty cool way to have your plane described. I guess it came from the noise that the air made rushing through the oil coolers. That must have been a scary noise to hear . I also like the Avenger, that name says it all...no nonsense.

Darren
  • Member since
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  • From: Pominville, NY
Posted by BlackWolf3945 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 8:41 PM
Yeah Berny, I know. Shy [8)] I've always been a writer since a young age and once I start, sometimes I just can't stop... Tongue [:P]

Fade to Black...
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Oak Harbor, WA
Posted by Kolja94 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 8:54 PM
be careful not confuse "Whistling Death" with "Whistling Trashcan of Death" which I've heard used to describe both the CH-46 and the E-2C. [:0]

In fairness, my own beloved Prowler has been known as the Roaring Skypig...

Karl

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: USA
Posted by woody0369 on Thursday, April 3, 2003 9:11 PM
During my time in the AF, we used to refer to the visiting F4's and F111's as Hogs, because of the puddles of hydraulic fluid left under them. Really nasty beasts!
  • Member since
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  • From: New Zealand
Posted by nzgunnie on Thursday, April 3, 2003 10:06 PM
Talking about the enemy giving fearsome names to aircraft, during the Falklands conflict the Argentinians nicknamed the Sea Harrier 'le merte negra' (not sure I spelt that quite right..) Which means Black Death, due to most of them being painted extra dark sea grey.

The A4 skyhawk in RNZAF service was called the 'Squawk', and the BAC Strikemaster was called the Blunty.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 4, 2003 2:07 AM
Viet Cong refered to the B-52 as "The Silent Death"
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  • From: Lyons Colorado, USA
Posted by Ray Marotta on Friday, April 4, 2003 8:38 AM
Back to the ASW community---Lockheed P-3 Orion---The Hunter

 ]

 

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Canada / Czech Republic
Posted by upnorth on Friday, April 4, 2003 10:02 AM
On the matter of the A-10 nicknames, didn't the Iraqis call it the "Black Gun" during the first Gulf War? As I recall A-10s still were all in their European wrap around camoflage at the time and could be seen a mile away as big black spots in the sky, because of this, the fleet got painted in low vis grey after that conflict. What I do recall is the term "Black Gun of Baghdad" being tossed around as a reference to the A-10 for a while after the conflict.

Canadian Sea King helicopters have, due to years of growing maintenance problems become known by some as "Sea Pigs"

During Canada's Voodoo years, crew members wore "One-Oh-Wonder" patches on their flightsuits.

"Widowmaker" and "Flying Coffin" are nearly generic terms for aircraft prone to accidents. For Canada, the "Widowmaker" will always be the CF-104 Starfighter, though there was a small spat of accidents in quick succession during our early years with the CF-18 Hornet that had some folks thinking of calling it the "Widowmaker II" Thankfully that didn't stick.

A couple of other notable "Widowmaker" types: As I understand it, the Mirage III was invaloved in quite a few crashes in its Australian service. In later service years, the Czechs came to call the MiG-21 "The Killer" as age was taking its toll on those birds and some were being flown past their airframe clockout limits and a number of fatal accidents resulted.

Returning to the F-111, I've heard that it got itself the nickname of "Whispering Death" during Vietnam due to it being a fairly quiet aircraft. I've seen an F-111 on approach and I can't say that I'd call it quiet. Can anyone confirm that nickname?

A few of my favorite aircraft nicknames are:
"5000 pound dog whistle" (Cessna T-37 Tweet)
"Flying Flatiron" (Gloster Javelin)
"Clunk" (Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck"
"Iron Triangle" (Avro Vulcan)
"Frisbee" (Boeing E-3 Sentry)
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 4, 2003 10:16 AM
F4U Corair aka Bent-wing bird, Hog, Ensign Eliminator
P-38 Lightning was called "Der Gabelschwanz Tuffel"(sp?) -The Fork-tailed devil.
F-117 "Nighthawk" aka "Woblin Goblin"
A-10 was also called the "Flying Tank"
F-102 "Starfighter" aka "Missile with a Man"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 4, 2003 10:49 AM
Armstrong Whitworth Argosy: the whistling wheelbarrow.
Talking of widowmakers, I have also heard of the B26 being named the "Martin Murderer" by transatlantic ferry pilots.
Old Luftwaffe joke. "How do you get a Starfighter? Just buy a field and wait."
  • Member since
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 4, 2003 12:53 PM
Clay more68

The F-104 Starfighter was know as the "Missle with a man"

Now onto the rest

F-4 Flying brick
SR-71 Lead Sled or Habu
F-15 Twin Tail Titinium Tennis Court (TTTC)
C-130 Flying Dumptruck
UH-60 Crash Hawk
A-4 Scooter
EF-111 Spark Vark


  • Member since
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  • From: Canada / Czech Republic
Posted by upnorth on Friday, April 4, 2003 1:59 PM
Its interesting to see the F-104 and B-26 come up repeatedly, not surprizing though. Both aircraft required a significant learning curve to be able to fly them in a fairly safe fashion.

The F-104 was said to be increadibly unforgiving in snap rolls and overly sharp turns, while the B-26's difficult landing characteristics made it very unforgiving at probably one of the most critical points in any aircraft's flight envelope, bringing it down safe.

In response to Claymore 68's German nomenclature of the P-38, lets also not forget what they called the Shorts Sunderland flying boat "Schtackelschwien" (please forgive the spelling) Or porcupine in English, they were very nearly impossible to bring down because of excellent placement of their defensive gun stations and they could keep up a fight longer as they had the space and lifting power to carry more ammunition for those guns. It took team efforts from the Luftwaffe to bring Sunderlands down.
  • Member since
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  • From: Oak Harbor, WA
Posted by Kolja94 on Friday, April 4, 2003 2:06 PM
Hey upnorth's use of the phase "fly in a safe fashion" reminds me of another name/ nickname thing, but not for an airplane per se. This one regards the Navy's NATOPS program...

Officially, it means "Naval Aivation Training and Operating Procedures Standardization".

I had an instructor who said it meant "Navy's Attempt to Operate Planes Safely" and "Not Applicable to Our Present Situation."

Cool [8D]

Karl

  • Member since
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  • From: Salina, Kansas USA
Posted by arnie on Friday, April 4, 2003 4:03 PM
My favorite? HABU!! The SR-71 was once based in Okinawa which is also the home of the Habu cobra snake. When the Blackbird was landing, the Okinawan's claimed the "hooded" appearance of the plane made it look like the Habu snake.

"There is a fine line between 'hobby' and 'mental illness'."---- Dave Barry

"Giggity"      -------------------------------------------------------------       Glenn Quagmire

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, April 4, 2003 4:21 PM
OOPS! Yeah it should be F-104. I fat fingered the num pad.
"Moonbat" (XP-67 I think)
Helldiver was called the "Big Tailed Bird"
"Flying Boxcar", C-?
C-117 "Skytrooper"
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Canada / Czech Republic
Posted by upnorth on Friday, April 4, 2003 6:01 PM
Flying Boxcar was the C-119

I think the Helldiver was also called "The Beast"

Then of course there's the U-2 "Dragon Lady"

I heard a aircraft refered to once as "The Flying Steak Knife" but I can't remember what aircraft it was, the F-104 came to mind but I can't remember for sure.
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