Fighter aircraft nicknames

[VinFlyer]

I got a question from someone which I hope some of you here could probably answer.
I work at an Aviation Museum at the Netherlands and soon we'll be getting a freshly painted F-4E Phantom II (I'll soon post some pictures of that here later). Now we got a question from a visitor why the F-4 was also called "Phantom". I know the F-4 was named after the first "Phantom" the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom. But why do military (fighter) planes have a second name (Mustang, Eagle, Falcon, Lightning etc)? Is it tradition and where / when did it start? Anyone who knows a bit more about this subject?

 

[Tom Clayton]

I don't think it's any different from auto makers naming their products. I just wish they could come up with more original names for the current inventory. In my not so humble opinion, there's only one Lightning, ane one of its props turned backward!

What about "Warlock" for the next fighter, or "Kestrel " for a ground attack bird?

 

[gaucho_59]

Nicknames...

I got a question from someone which I hope some of you here could probably answer.

I work at an Aviation Museum at the Netherlands and soon we'll be getting a freshly painted F-4E Phantom II (I'll soon post some pictures of that here later). Now we got a question from a visitor why the F-4 was also called "Phantom". I know the F-4 was named after the first "Phantom" the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom. But why do military (fighter) planes have a second name (Mustang, Eagle, Falcon, Lightning etc)? Is it tradition and where / when did it start? Anyone who knows a bit more about this subject?

These so called "nicknames" are really only those like "Thud" (P-47) .... The official factory nomenclature "nicknames" started in the early 30s... a lot of aircraft got catchy "official" builder names such as the Curtiss SBDs... (eg: Helldiver, Dauntless), Noth American B-25 "Mitchell"...etc...) which apparently were meant to promote a certain distinctive aura particular to either the aircraft itself or its mission "P-38 Lightning" and perhaps enhance popularity amongst customers or be a tribute to someone...like the B-25 Mitchell... [after Gen. Billy Mitchell the pioneer of air bombardment..] Such names in turn would engender "sequels" like Phantom II... etc. in future products as you mentioned.

A second source - still quite "official" would come with products made for foreign markets... like the P-51 [which initially, as a project for British consumption... was designated "Mustang I through III" [ such names were often assigned by customer preference or factory PR people]F
Finally, there were true nicknames popular with either the crews or ground personnel, such as "Willy Fudd"... "Spad"..."Thud", etc. that gained popularity by word of mouth... and were never mentioned in official reports or correspondence...

In essence, the first two sources should be considered more names than "nicknames" in the actual asseption of the word... while the third type are the ones that can really be called "nicknames"... For example... the Bell helicopter Huey... is a name.... which was also officially known as Huey "Iraquois" (Bell helicopters followed Indian Nation names... Mohawk...Apache...[however... the Huey Cobra... departs from that and invokes the sting of a venomous snake...] ... Others like a Huey "Slick" (unarmed assault helicopter) [often used in official circles when I was in the war in Viet Nam in 1969] are a combination thereof... So you see, there is really not a "neat" package explanation for "nicknames"... In sum... a sort of similar language corruption exists with proper names... Once upon a time Joe... was a nickname for Joseph... Frank for Francis... etc. but nowadays.. especially down South... some folk officially name their kids like Billy... and that is what appears on the birth certificate...
Col. "Billy" Michell... was in fact... William Mitchell...
I hope this throws some light on the subject...

 

[Railrunner130]

I think originally nicknames were given by the manufacturer in an effort to generate interest in their aircraft. A marketing tool, per se.

Then, politics got involved and military services began naming aircraft. The F-16 was named the Fighting Falcon, probably by a "Zoomie" USAF Academy graduate. The B-2 picked up Spirit instead of the popular Stingray. The A-10 became Thunderbolt II after the manufacturer's previous P-47 Thunderbolt. Raptor was adopted for the F-22, even though it probably should have been something cellestial in order to fit the Lockheed tradition. Although I must agree that the F-35 Lightning II was a good, international choice. It fits for both the P-38 and the English Electric Lightning. I'm sure they'll both be unofficially renamed.

Over time, crews gave aircraft nicknames, seperate from the official nickname. Aardvark comes to mind for the F-111, along with Sparkvark for the EF model. The F-16 picked up Viper for the chine that looks like a Viper's hood. The A-10 picked up Warthog, because it looks like one.

In the current era of political correctness, a lot of really good names have and will continue to go by the wayside.

 

[Ferry_vO]

McDonnell had a line of 'ghostly' named fighters; Banshee, Demon, Voodoo and Phantom but those are official names, not nicknames.

My best guess is those names make it easier to identify aircraft for the public and of course a 'cool' name sticks better.
Most people will know the Spitfire, Blackbird or Phantom but not all of them will know the manufacturer or exact type.

 

[Sopwith Chameleon]

.........When R J Mitchell was told his new Fighter was to be called "Spitfire" by Vickers, he is reported to have said " That's just the sort of Bloody silly name they would give it " ................

 

[TARPSBird]

I can't speak for the USAF but in the Navy/Marine aviation community aircraft are hardly ever referred to by their official names, i.e. Phantom, Orion, Skyhawk, etc. More often it's the model number (F-4, F-8) or whatever nickname (affectionate or otherwise) the plane has picked up. For example, most of the old airdales here will back me up when I say that I never heard an aviator or mech refer to an A-4 as a "Skyhawk" in conversation, it was always "A-4" or "Scooter". An A-1 was always an "AD" or "Spad", never a "Skyraider". P-3's have always been just P-3's and never "Orions". If the VP guys have their own nickname(s) for the plane I never heard them used. The manufacturer's or Defense Department's official names look good on advertising brochures and PowerPoint briefings but in the fleet nobody cares.

 

[stansdds]

Grumman used feline based names for their fighters. I guess it just became tradition for Grumman.

Wildcat
Hellcat
Tigercat
Bearcat
Panther
Cougar
Jaguar
Tiger
Tomcat

 

[gaucho_59]

I got a question from someone which I hope some of you here could probably answer.
I work at an Aviation Museum at the Netherlands and soon we'll be getting a freshly painted F-4E Phantom II (I'll soon post some pictures of that here later). Now we got a question from a visitor why the F-4 was also called "Phantom". I know the F-4 was named after the first "Phantom" the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom. But why do military (fighter) planes have a second name (Mustang, Eagle, Falcon, Lightning etc)? Is it tradition and where / when did it start? Anyone who knows a bit more about this subject?

To further clarify... some aircraft such as the AC-47 gunship conversion... acquired "double or multiple" identities... [ i.e.: it was dubbed "Puff the Magic Dragon" by ground troops and crews (unofficial)... aka "Spooky" (this one an official code name... just as in WW2, aircraft like the Mitsubishi Zero-sen were given a specific code name...: Zeke (indicating a distinct variant... [or Mark as british would call variants... Mk 1, 2, etc)...with clipped wingtips.]
Code names (officially sanctioned) used in aircraft recognition charts (Dinah, Val -for Valerie-, etc.) seem to have been the whim of whoever produced the recognition charts... or sometimes... as in the case of a type Zero-sen (Zeke) they invoked the initial letter..."Z"
Notwithstanding, the final verdict is still that there is no one-valid logic to these appellations... As someone pointed out... Grumman skunkwork products received feline monikers clear from the cats of the 40s to our latter days Tomcat... (that is indeed a tradition with the manufacturer... and offically sanctioned at that too)
Even the phonetic alphabet used to clarify radio communications has undergone changes over the years... the old Able, Baker, Charlie of WW2 and Korea... became Alpha, Bravo, Charlie started back in 1959 when I first came upon the military scene as a young draftee... Before and during WW2, Germans used proper names to distinguish variants of a type... like Bf 109s variants: Gustav for the G model, Emil for the Es, etc. Even the plane type itself Bf 109... 110, etc. (for Bayerische Fluzeug Werke) was also known as the Me 109, 110, etc. (for Willy Messerschmitt).
The purpose of my discourse is to throw some light on the subject (at the risk of sounding pedantic) in terms of its origins (very diffuse...) rather than to express a personal opinion about "Academy grads" etc. ... (as we all know... opinions are like anal orifices... everyone is entitled to one... but they remain holes nonetheless... lol)

While on the subject... my wife who has just returned from Afghanistan (medical type)...cited in one of her blogs that the SAW (S-quad A-utomatic W-eapon replacing the M-60 MG which in turn replaced the old BAR of my days) was so nicknamed because it could cut a guy in half... and so she was told by the SF guys she treated and treated her to firing it on the range... Well.. as explained above.. SAW is an official nomenclature...that refers to its purpose... whereas the BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle).. also offical appellative refers to its manufacturer...
So... as we see... there are no hard and fast rules on "nicknames"...

View attachment 45931

 

[huub vink]

It is typically a foreign habit! A fokker C-X was just called Sé-teen (its Dutch of course) and a D-XXI Dé-éénentwintig (Don't know how tho write this phonetic).

It a pity we Dutch drop this habit of not giving name to aircraft and followed the rest. The F27 was named Friendship, Troopship or Maritime and the F28 was named Fellowship. Luckily this weird habit seems to disappear again. Or is there an official name for a Boeing 737-800?

Cheers,
Huub

 

[Tom Clayton]

Or is there an official name for a Boeing 737-800?

Cheers,
Huub

Blowdrier? I don't think Boeing has ever given their planes anything but a number until the 787, which is the Dreamliner. But then subsequent Boeings have been (mistakenly?) given that same moniker due to Boeing using the same stripes/waves theme on other planes.

 

[CWOJackson]

Blowdrier? I don't think Boeing has ever given their planes anything but a number until the 787, which is the Dreamliner. But then subsequent Boeings have been (mistakenly?) given that same moniker due to Boeing using the same stripes/waves theme on other planes.

Yes, even the epitome of Pan Am's once great clipper fleet was simply called the Boeing Model 319. A romantic aircraft with an uninspiring name.

 

[Wild Bill Kelso]

...A fokker C-X was just called Sé-teen (its Dutch of course) and a D-XXI Dé-éénentwintig.

Thanks to the resemblance of our native languages, these terms make perfect sense in my ears!
éénentwintig = Einundzwanzig = 21
Simple as that!

Cheers,
Markus.

 

[gaucho_59]

Beg to differ...

Blowdrier? I don't think Boeing has ever given their planes anything but a number until the 787, which is the Dreamliner. But then subsequent Boeings have been (mistakenly?) given that same moniker due to Boeing using the same stripes/waves theme on other planes.

Boeing DID officially name some of its products... To wit: B-17 "Flying Fortress"
and B-29 "Superfortress"... just to name a couple of them....
One MUST remember to express one's opinions as SUCH... Facts are facts and are irrefutable... opinions... often err albeit having been sincerely expressed in one's belief of "knowing" the truth...
Which reminds me... once I bet my wife the name of that famous NYC crime victim... was Kathy Genovese... needless to say... I lost the bet... for IT WAS KITTY Genovese as she asserted... (but I was so sure I had read Kathy... mmmm)

So, one should not lose sight of the original question by our curious Dutch museum guide or curator... (he wanted to know what the tradition to give nicknames to aircraft came from...) If one does not remember the question... it might remain unanswered.... and a myth can be created in the process...and like Goebbels once said... if one repeast a falsehood enough times... it becomes the truth... Food for thought....

 

[pfflyers]

Just to add a little trivia to a subject that's probably been beat to death:

The policy of giving Indian Tribe names to helicopters has nothing to do with Bell. All US Army (and Air Force?) helicopters have had Indian names going back at least to the old S-55 (H-19) 'Chickasaw', and continuing to the present 'Blackhawk' and 'Apache'.

The helicopters that were in use during my time in the Army were the OH-6 'Cayuse', OH-58 'Kiowa', UH-1 'Iraquois', CH-47 'Chinook', CH-54 'Tarhe', and of course the exception, the AH-1 'Cobra'.

I think the reason the AH-1 got a pass is because when it originated it was not a new program, but rather a development or derivative of UH-1. Officially they were both part of the H-1 'family'. You often see the AH-1 referred to as the 'HueyCobra', which in itself is a rather official aknowledgment of the fact that the name 'Huey' was pretty much the common nomenclature for the UH-1.

 

[gaucho_59]

Again...

Just to add a little trivia to a subject that's probably been beat to death:

The policy of giving Indian Tribe names to helicopters has nothing to do with Bell. All US Army (and Air Force?) helicopters have had Indian names going back at least to the old S-55 (H-19) 'Chickasaw', and continuing to the present 'Blackhawk' and 'Apache'.

The helicopters that were in use during my time in the Army were the OH-6 'Cayuse', OH-58 'Kiowa', UH-1 'Iraquois', CH-47 'Chinook', CH-54 'Tarhe', and of course the exception, the AH-1 'Cobra'.

I think the reason the AH-1 got a pass is because when it originated it was not a new program, but rather a development or derivative of UH-1. Officially they were both part of the H-1 'family'. You often see the AH-1 referred to as the 'HueyCobra', which in itself is a rather official aknowledgment of the fact that the name 'Huey' was pretty much the common nomenclature for the UH-1.

You are right!!! Bell did not use the Indian Nation names.... the Army did... However... There is no such thing as a POLICY in naming aircraft... only a tradition! [proven by the fact that the Cobra was named such AND THERE ARE NO COBRA INDIANS ANYWHERE...LOL]
... ergo... NO POLICY] ( I spent 23 years in the US Army, fought in Viet Nam as a CPT.... and retired in 1985... I think I should knowd my Army nomenclature)
I quote for you: "Bell's model 204 formed the basis for one of the most successful series of helicopters ever built. Flown for the first time in October 1956, it was designated XH-40 by Bell, then HU-1 by the US Army (WHO CALLED IT HUEY) before a designation change to HU-1A Iraquois... later the designation was changed to UH-1...."
"...the OH-58 Kiowa... deisgnated TH-67 Sea Ranger by the Navy..."
As one can see... the naming of aircraft is often capricious and devoid of any actual official POLICY... only traditional ways of naming things.... and not always followed through...
Remember the question that started this thread... the man who queried us "self-styled experts" just wanted to know how to answer a question by a museum visitor..
The answer is very simple: THERE IS NO ONE TRADITION OR WAY... sometimes the manufacturer puts a name on it (like Flying Fortress) sometimes the individual service or country does it... and sometimes folks do it...
I may be wrong... but I think the thread was started by a curious observer... who probably got more than he wanted... and might no yet have the answer he sought!!!

 

[VinFlyer]

I may be wrong... but I think the thread was started by a curious observer... who probably got more than he wanted... and might no yet have the answer he sought!!!

Well, not more than I wanted but rather more than I'd hoped for. But thank you guys, this has been very informative already. It's an interesting subject I might investigate further on. But for now I at least have some kind of answer for the visitor who came up with this question

 

[Blackbird686]

What about "Warlock" for the next fighter, or "Kestrel " for a ground attack bird?

"Kestrel" was the original name given to the British "Harrier". Don't know why the name "Harrier" was selected... but it is, in itself, an original name.

I often thought that "Velociraptor" would have been a good name for the F-22, which was originally going to be called the "Lightning II". Like the pre-historic animal, you never see the plane until the pilot is looking you in the eye, you never hear it until it's too late.

BB686:USA-flag:

 

[stiz]

i know the RAF had names to refer to planes, if i remember rightly the pby was called catalina by the RAF and it stuck, i think the b24 got "liberator" from the RAF as well. Not sure how many got their names from the RAF but it does explain some of the names.

 

[AndyG43]

"Kestrel" was the original name given to the British "Harrier". Don't know why the name "Harrier" was selected... but it is, in itself, an original name.

It's a bird of prey not dissimilar to the kestrel; a noted part of it's behaviour, as with many small raptor's, is it's ability to virtualy hover when hunting for prey - hence the name selection. Strictly speaking the Kestrel FGA1 (or XV-6A) was the name given to the the improved version of the P1127, which was used with the tripartite evaluation squadron (it's often forgotten West Germany was involved at this stage) - the further improved (necessary after the cancellation of P1154) P1127 RAF became the Harrier.

And ref the "tradition" of naming US Army helicopters after Indian tribes, don't forget the most recent addition, the UH-72 Lakota.

British naming had some near misses - the Spitfire was very nearly the Shrew (both references are drawn from Shakespeare), the Meteor was going to be called the Thunderbolt at one point (but I believe there may have been an American fighter called something similar) and the Vampire was originally known as the Spider Crab.