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Aircraft Nicknames

A

Aardvark General Dynamics F-111
  • Because of its long nose.
    • Able Dog Douglas AD Skyraider
  • For AD.
    • Aerobee Aerojet General X-8
    All Three Dead Douglas A3D Skywarrier
  • There was virtually no escape possibility for the three-man crew in case of a crash.
    • Aluminium Overcast Convair B-36 Peacemaker
    Aluminium Overcast Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
    Aluminium Overcast Douglas C-124 Globemaster
  • Often used for large aircraft.
    • Ambar ("Barn") Beriev MBR-2
  • For MBR.
    • Angel Lockheed U-2
  • Because it flies so high. Also, 'Angel' is a height unit.
    • Anton Messerschmitt Bf 109A
  • German phonetic alphabet: A-Anton.
    • Anushka Antonov An-2
    Anushka Polikarpov Po-2
    Ass-Ender Curtiss XP-55 Ascender
  • This was an experimental fighter with a pusher engine and canards.
    • Awful Terrible Six North American AT-6 Texan
  • A trainer which wasn't too easy to fly.

    • B

    Baltimore Whore Martin B-26 Marauder
  • A play on its small wings: It had 'no visible means of support'.
    • Bamboo Bomber Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
    Banjo McDonnell F2H Banshee
    Bantam Bomber Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
  • A lightweight attack aircraft.
    • Barge Douglas SBD Dauntless
    Bat Plane Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
    Beast Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
  • Because of its nasty flying characteristics.
    • Beast Brewster SB2A Buccaneer
    Bee Tee Vultee BT-13 Valiant
    Bent-Wing Bird Vought F4U Corsair
  • Had an inverse gull-wing.
    • Beule (Boil) Messerschmitt Bf 109G
  • This model of the Bf 109 had two large 'boils' on the engine cowling, covering the cowl gun mechanisms.
    • Blackfish Fairey Swordfish
  • If built by Blackburn.
    • Black Shark Kamov Ka-50
    Blechesel Junkers J I
  • Tin Donkey. One of the first all-metal combat aircraft.
    • Bloody Paraliser Handley Page 0/400
  • Largest British bomber of WWI.
    • Biff Bristol F.2B
  • Short for 'Bristol Fighter'.
    • Big Bird McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
    Big Stick Convair B-36 Peacemaker
  • President Theodore Roosevelt's famous advice for foreign politics: 'Speak softly, but carry a big stick.' The B-36 was the main bomber of SAC. Also, its fuselage is long and cylindrical.
    • Billy's Bomber North American B-25 Mitchell
  • Named in honour of Billy Mitchell.
    • Blackbird Lockheed SR-71
  • Because of the black (or very dark blue) paint.
    • Black Jet Lockheed F-117
  • Because of the black paint, but also a 'black' (secret) development program.
    • Bleed-Air Blimp Lockheed C-130 Hercules
    Bob Hopes V-2
    Bone Rockwell B-1 Lancer
  • "B-one".
    • Boomerang Northrop B-2 Spirit
  • A flying wing design.
    • Brisfit Bristol F2B
  • Short for "Bristol Fighter".
    • Britschik Bell P-39 Airacobra
  • "Little Shaver"
    • Bruno Messerschmitt Bf 109B
  • German phonetic alphabet: B-Bruno
    • Bucon Hispano HA 1112K
    Budget Bomber Northrop B-2 Spirit
  • Because of its high cost.
    • Buff Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
  • Big, Ugly Fat F*****.
    • Buff Sikorsky H-53 Stallion
  • Big, ugly Friendly Fellow
    • Bug Smasher Beech C-45 Expeditor
    Bumble Bee McDonnell XF-85 Goblin
  • Because of its small size, egg-shaped fuselage, and small flying surfaces.
    • Buzz Bomb V-1
  • Refers to the noise of its pulse jet engine.

    • C

    Cadillac Northrop M2
  • This was a lifting body prototype with 'tailfins' just like an old car.
    • Cadillac Boeing B-52H Stratofortress
  • The B-52H with its TF33 turbofan engine was quieter than earlier models.
    • Caesar Messerschmitt Bf 109C
  • German phonetic alphabet: C-Caesar
    • Canuck Curtiss JN-4D
    Catfish Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk
    Cee One-Oh-Boom Consolidated C-109 Liberator
    Centipede Tupolev Tu-142 'Bear-F'
  • The first batch of Tu-142s had twelve-wheel main gear bogies for operations from dirt strips. Later batches reverted to four-wheel bogies.
    • Chaika (Gull) Beriev Be-12 'Mail'
  • Gull wing.
    • Chaika (Gull) Polikarpov I-153
  • Gull wing.
    • Chickenhawk Cessna T-41 Mescalero
    Chipmunk Boeing RC-135C
  • This model has large "cheek" bulges for its radars.
    • Clunk Douglas SBD Dauntless
    Coconutknocker Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
  • It was assumed that because of its poor bombing accuracy, most bombs hit (coconut?) trees. Also 'Monkeyknocker'.
    • Connie Lockheed Constellation
    Convertor Cessna T-37
    Cradle Fairchild PT-19
    Cranberry Martin B-57 Canberra
    Crane Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe
  • A flying crane helicopter.
    • Crapaud de Havilland Vampire
  • Nickname in French service.
    • Crash Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk
  • Because of a series of crashes in its early career, due to a failing stabilator.
    • Crouze Vought F-8 Crusader
  • Nickname of the F-8 in French service.
    • Crowd Killer Fairchild C-87 Packet
    Crowd Killer Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar

    D

    Dagger Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
    Dakelton Douglas DC-3
  • After the SAAF retired its Shackletons, a number of Dakotas were used in the maritime patrol role.
    • Dart Convair F-106 Delta Dart
    Delta Queen Convair B-58 Hustler
  • Large delta-wing bomber.
    • Deuce Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
    Deuce Sikorsky CH-37C Mojave
    Dinosaur Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar
    Dogship Grumman A-6 Intruder
    Dollar Nineteen Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
    Doodlebug V-1
    Dora Messerschmitt Bf 109D
  • German phonetic alphabet: D-Dora
    • Dorito MDD A-12
    Double-Breasted Cub Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
    Double Ugly McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
    Double Ugly Grumman EA-6B Prowler
  • Even uglier than the basic A-6, and with twice the crew.
    • Dowager Ducchess Douglas C-47 Dakota
    Dragon Lady Lockheed U-2
    Dreamboat Boeing B-29 Superfortress
    Dreifinger Junkers Ju 88
  • "Three fingers". Sleek fuselage and two long engine nacelles.
    • Droop Snoot Lockheed P-38 Lightning version
  • Version of the P-38 with a 'glass' nose, wich bulged downwards. Used as bombardment lead aircraft.
    • Drut Douglas F3D Skyknight
    Duck Cessna O-2

    E

    Egg Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
  • Shape of its fuselage.
    • Electric Jet General Dynamics F-16
  • It has fly-by-wire controls.
    • Elephant Joyeux Sikorsky H-19
  • Happy Elephant.
    • Emil Messerschmitt Bf 109E
    Ensign Eliminator Vought F4U Corsair
    Etagere NC.1071
  • "Elevator". A rather ugly and clumsy twin-engined, twin-tail aircraft.

    • F

    Faithfull Annie Avro Anson
    Fat Albert Lockheed C-130 Hercules
    Fertile Myrtle Grumman AF-2W Guardian
  • The W version looked 'pregnant' because of its radar radome.
    • Fifi Grumman F3F
    Fliegende Auge Focke-Wulf Fw 189
  • Flying Eye. The tactical reconaissance aircraft of the Luftwaffe. Maybe also because of its 'insect eye' cockpit glazing.
    • Fliegender Bleistift Dornier Do 17
  • Flying Pencil. Because of the small cross-section of its fuselage.
    • Fliegendes Stachelschwein Short Sunderland
  • Flying Porcupine. Allegedly because of its heavy defensive armament.
    • Flying Banana Vertol CH-21 Workhorse
  • Tandem-rotor helicopter.
    • Flying Barn Door Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
  • Because it very much looked like one... A very angular design.
    • Flying Bathtub Northrop M2F
  • Experimental flying body.
    • Flying Bedstead Rolls-Royce TMR
  • Experimental VTOL, just an open frame with jet engines and a seat.
    • Flying Carrot Westland Lysander
  • The shape of its fuselage.
    • Flying Chainsaw Piaggio P.166 Albtross
  • Because of the noise it makes.
    • Flying Cigar Mitsubishi G4M 'Betty'
  • Because of the shape of the fuselage and its inflammability.
    • Flying Coffin Airspeed Horsa
  • Wooden construction.
    • Flying Coffin Lockheed PV-1 Ventura
  • A number of accidents early in its career.
    • Flying Dump Truck Douglas AD Skyraider
    Flying Edsel General Dynamics F-111
  • After a not very successful car made by Ford. The early career of the F-111 was inauspicious.
    • Flying Eggbeater Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly
  • Early helicopter.
    • Flying Gas Station Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
  • Standard USAF tanker aircraft for many years.
    • Flying Panhandle Handley Page Hampden
  • Had a very deep front fuselage and a slender tailboom.
    • Flying Pencil Dornier Do 17
  • Because of its sleek lines.
    • Flying Prostitute Northrop T-38 Talon
    Flying Prostitute Martin B-26 Marauder
  • A play on its small wings: It had 'no visible means of support'.
    • Flying Potato Martin-Marietta X-24A
  • Experimental lifting-body aircraft in its first configuration...
    • Flying Flatiron Martin-Marietta X-24B
  • ...and in its later one, with a flat lower fuselage.
    • Flying Shithouse Kaman HH-43 Huskie
  • This helicopter had a box-like fuselage.
    • Flying Suitcase Handley Page Hampden
  • Had a narrow, very deep front fuselage.
    • Flying Speed Brake Lockheed Constellation
    Flying Washboard Ford Trimotor
  • Corrugated metal construction.
    • FOD Vacuum Northrop F-89 Scorpion
  • FOD = Foreign object damage. It seems that the F-89 was prone to suck objects on the runway into its jet intakes.
    • Ford Douglas F4D Skyray
  • F-four-D.
    • Fork-tailed Devil Lockheed P-38 Lightning
  • The type was called 'Gabelschwanzteufel' by the Germans, referring to its twin-tail configuration.
    • FRED Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
  • Fantastic Ridiculous Economic Disaster.
    • Fritz Messerschmitt Bf 109F
    Frog Martin P5M Mariner
    Frustrated Palm Tree Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly
  • Early helicopter.

    • G

    Gabelschwanzteufel Lockheed P-38 Lightning
  • Fork-tailed devil.
    • Gator Boeing T-43
    Gator Vought F8U Crusader
    Geometric Giant Vickers Wellington
  • Because of the geodetic construction, designed by Barnes Wallis.
    • Go Get Him Fido AIM-120 AMRAAM
  • Active radar-homing missile.
    • Ghost Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
  • 'Stealth' attack aircraft.
    • Ginnie Vickers Virginia
    Gipsy Rose Lee Curtiss P-40L Warhawk
  • The P-40L was a 'stripped', lightweight version, with reduced armour. G.R.L. was a striptease dancer.
    • Gliding Electric Show Grumman EA-6B Prowler
  • An ECM aircraft loaded with enormous amount of electronics.
    • GLOB Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
  • Ground Loving Old Bastard.
    • Gooney Bird Douglas C-47 Dakota
  • After a hypothetical species of bird, claimed to fly backwards so that it can see where it came from.
    • Gorbatyi Ilyushin Il-2
  • "Hunchback".
    • Grach Suchoi Su-25
    Grand Old Lady Douglas C-47 Dakota
    Ground Gripper De Havilland Trident
  • A bit underpowered, especially during take-off.
    • Ground Loving Whore Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
    Guppy Grumman AF-2W Guardian
    Gustav Messerschmitt Bf 109G
    Gutless Cutlass Vought F7U Cutlass
  • Dismissed by a senior US Navy official as 'The F7U was dangerous, period.'

    • H

    Habu Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
  • After a snake.
    • Halibag Handley Page Halifax
    Heinneman's Hot Rod Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
  • Designed by Heinemann.
    • Helldiver Curtiss F8C
  • Used as dive bomber.
    • Herk Lockheed C-130 Hercules
    Hog Republic F-84 Thunderjet
    Hog Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
    Hog Lockheed C-130 Hercules
    Hog Bell UH-1 Iroquois
    Hog Nose Boeing RC-135M
    Hoodoo Plane Lockheed P-38 Lightning
  • From a newspaper article on the crash of the prototype.
    • Hook Boeing CH-47 Chinook
    Hookey Tooky Kaman HU2K Seasprite
    Hoover Lockheed S-3 Viking
  • Becuase of the noise of its TF34 engines.
    • Hudoy Messerschmitt Bf 109
  • "Lean", Russian name for the Bf 109.
    • Huey Bell UH-1 Iroquois
    Huey Cobra Bell AH-1 Cobra
  • Derivative of the UH-1.
    • HUM Tacit Blue
  • Highly Unstable Mother
    • Hummer Cessna T-37
    Hummer Grumman E-2 Hawkeye
    Hun North American F-100 Super Sabre
  • "Hundred".

    • I

    Imp Aermacchi MB.326 Impala
    Iron Annie Junkers Ju 52
    Iron Butterfly Republic F-105 Thunderchief
    Ironworks Grumman
  • Because of the enormous structural strength of Grumman's products.
    • Ishak Polikarpov I-16
  • "Jackass".

    • J

    Jenny Curtiss JN
    Jolly Green Giant Sikorksy HH-3
  • Rescue helicopter.
    • Jug Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
  • Shorthand for 'Juggernaut'. Also referring to the shape of the fuselage.
    • Juggernaut Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
  • An unstoppable vehicle. (Actually a carriage that in ceremonies ritually crushed some of the followers of a religion.)
    • Jump Jet BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier
  • VTOL aircraft.

    • K

    Kaasjager North American F-86K Sabre
  • Cheese fighter, nickname of the aircraft in Dutch service. Because of the letter K, and the association of cheese with the Netherlands.
    • Katy Payen Pa 49
    Katyusha Tupolev SB-2
    Kanonenvogel Junkers Ju 87G
  • Cannon bird. Armed with two 37mm anti-tank cannon.
    • Kobry Bell P-39 Airacobra
  • Cobra.
    • Kraft Ei Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
  • Power egg. Small rocket powered fighter.
    • Kurfuerst Messerschmitt Bf 109K
  • German phonetic alphabet: K-Kurfuerst
    • Kukuruznik Antonov An-2
  • Little Hayseed. Because of its use in agriculture.

    • L

    Lanc Avro Lancaster
    Lapotnik Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
  • "Booter", because of it fixed landing gear. Also transliterated as "Lapetznhik". "Lapti" are birch shoes, as worn by Russian peasants.
    • Lawn Dart General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
    Lawn Dart Rockwell B-1 Lancer
    Lawn Dart Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk
  • "Lawn dart" is generally used for crash-prone aircraft.
    • Lead Sled McDonnell F3H Demon
    Lead Sled Republic F-84 Thunderjet
    Lead Sled Republic F-105 Thunderchief
    Lead Sled Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
    Lead Sled Boeing RC-135U
  • 'Lead Sled' refers to an unmanoeuvrable aircraft, possibly with a poor climb performance.
    • Lieutenant Eater Republic F-84 Thunderjet
  • Difficult to fly for a unexperienced pilot.
    • Linda Lovelace Lockheed C-5
    Little Hummer General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
    Little Bird Hughes OH-6, MH-6, AH-6
    Little Hummer Douglas A-26 Invader
    Lizzie Westland Lysander
    Loach Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
  • Derived from the project name LOH, Light Observation Helicopter.

    • M

    Magnesium Overcast Convair B-36 Peacemaker
  • Variation on 'Aluminium Overcast.'
    • Malenkii Tu Tupolev Tu-124
  • Little Tu.
    • Man-Eater LTV A-7 Corsair II
    Mattel Messerschmitt Hughes TH-55 Cayuse
    Maytag Messerschmitt Ryan PT-22 Recruit
    Meatbox Gloster Meteor
    Mezek Avia S-199
  • Mule. This Czech version of the Bf 109 was powered by a not really suitable Junkers Jumo engine, and had poor handling qualities.
    • MiG Master Vought F8U Crusader
    Mighty Iron Hardware Republic F-105 Thunderchief
    Mighty Mite Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
    Monkeyknocker Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
  • It was assumed that because of its poor bombing accuracy, the only victims were innocent monkeys. Also 'Coconutknocker'.
    • Mos Neata I.A.R. 39
  • Geezer
    • Mosca Polikarpov I-16
  • Fly
    • Mossie de Havilland Mosquito

    N

    Nighthawk Lockheed F-117
    Ninak De Havilland D.H.9A
    North American Safety Jet North American T-2 Buckeye

    O

    Ol'Dumbo Curtiss C-46 Commando
    Old Metuselah Douglas C-47 Dakota
    Old Shaky Douglas C-124 Globemaster
    Old Smokey McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
  • The J79 engine had bad smoke trails.
    • Olive on a toothpick Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
  • Layout of egg-shaped fuselage and slender tail boom.
    • One-Oh-Wonder McDonnell F-101 Voodoo
    Overcast North American B-70 Valkyrie

    P

    Panzerknacker Junkers Ju 87G
  • Anti-tank version of the Ju 87.
    • Pave Pig Sikorsky MH-3
  • Nickname given to the MH-3 when it was being replaced by MH-53J Pave Low and the MH-60G Pave Hawk.
    • Peacemaker Convair B-36
    Pea Shooter Boeing P-26
    Peter Dash Flash North American P-51 Mustang
    Phrog Boeing Vertol CH-46E
    Pinball Bell RP-63 Kingcobra
  • A manned aerial target version of the RP-63, with a reinforced skin. When it was hit (with special, frangible bullets) lights flashed...
    • Placid Plodder Douglas C-47 Dakota
    Plastic Bug McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet
    Polecat Grumman X-29
    Porker Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
    Pregnant Beast Grumman TBF Avenger
    Puff, the Magic Dragon Douglas AC-47
    Pylly Walteri Brewster B-239 Buffalo
  • Bustling Walter. Nickname in Finland.

    • Q

    Queen Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
    Q-bird Grumman EA-6B Prowler
  • The letter Q is used by the USN to identify electronic warfare squadrons.
    • Queer Grumman EA-6B Prowler

    R

    Radial Interceptor Beech T-34 Mentor
    Rhapsody in Glue Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
    Rhino McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
    Rodan McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle

    S

    Sabre Dog North American F-86D Sabre
    Scarier BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier
    Scooter Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
    Scrapper Grumman AF-2S Guardian
    Seven Balls Two Convair XF-92
    Shagbat Supermarine Walrus
    Shar BAe Sea Harrier
    Shithook Boeing CH-47 Chinook
    Silber Messerschmitt Me 262
  • Silver.
    • Silver Bullet Convair XP-81
    Silver Dollar North American F-100 Super Sabre
    Silver Sow Boeing C-135
    Six Convair F-106 Delta Dart
    Six Douglas DC-6
    Six Shooter Convair F-106 Delta Dart
  • This was the codename for the installation of the six-barrel 20mm Vulcan cannon in the F-106. It was later applied to the converted aircraft as well.
    • Skooter Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
    Skunk Works Lockheed's Burbank plant
  • After a 'factory' from a comic strip, and because its first location was in a smelly place.
    • Skycrane Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe
  • A crane helicopter.
    • Skyhog Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
    SLAT Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
  • Slow, Low Aerial Target.
    • Sled Lockheed SR-71
    Slick Bell UH-1 Iroquois
    Slick Chick North American RF-100A
  • Unarmed, high-speed photo-reconaissance version of the F-100.
    • Slow But Deadly Douglas SBD Dauntless
    Slow Navy Bomber Beech SNB Kansan
    Sluf LTV A-7 Corsair II
  • Short, little ugly fellah.
    • Snake Bell AH-1 Cobra
    Snake Lockheed P2V Neptune
    Son of a Bitch 2nd Class Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
    Spad Douglas A-1 Skyraider
    Spam Can North American P-51 Mustang
  • Because of a structure which was a bit too light and weak to resist the stress of combat. Too many were lost when flown outside design limits, also because of control problems.
    • Sparkvark Grumman EF-111 Raven
  • An electronic warfare version of the 'Aardvark'.
    • Speedy Three Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless
  • Because it was very, very slow...
    • Spit Supermarine Spitfire
    Spooky Douglas AC-47
  • Often used as callsign
    • Squash Bomber Republic F-105 Thunderchief
    Squirt Saro SR.A/1
  • Flying boat jet fighter.
    • Staggerwing Beech 17
  • Biplane with notable backstagger, i.e. the upper wing was set a bit behind the lower wing.
    • Superbolt Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
  • The version with 'bubble' cockpit.
    • Super Hoover Lockheed S-3 Viking
  • Because of the noise of its TF34 engines.
    • Super Jolly Green Giant Sikorksy HH-53
  • Rescue helicopter that replaced the HH-3 "Jolly Green Giant".
    • Stanley Steamer Northrop F-89 Scorpion
    Star Lizard Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
    Steam Chicken Supermarine Walrus
    Sterile Arrow Grumman EA-6B Prowler
  • "Sterile" because it was an unarmed version of the A-6.
    • Stoof Grumman S-2 Tracker
  • The original designation was S2F.
    • Stoof with a Roof Grumman E-1 Tracer
  • A derivative of the S-2 "Stoof" with a large radar dome on top. The name seems to have stuck to the E-2 Hawkeye as well.
    • Strat Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
    Stratobladder Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
    Strike Pig Boeing T-43
    Stringbag Fairey Swordfish
    Stuka Junkers Ju-87
  • 'Sturzkampfflugzeug', a generic German term for dive-bomber.
    • Super Bee Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
    Super Hog Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
  • A development (sort of) of the F-84 'Hog'.
    • Super Shitter Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
    Swinger General Dynamics F-111
  • Refers to its variable geometry wing.
    • Switchblade General Dynamics F-111
  • Refers to its variable geometry wing.
    • Swoose Goose Vultee XP-54

    T

    Tadpole Grumman A-6 Intruder
  • Because it looks like one: blunt front fuselage, slender tail.
    • Taivaan Helmi Brewster B-239 Buffalo
  • "Sky Pearl." Finnish.
    • Tank Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
    Tante Ju Junkers Ju 52/3m
    Tausendfussler Arado Ar 232
  • Centipede. Because of the low multi-wheel gear that it used for (un)loading.
    • T-bird Lockheed T-33
    T-bolt Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
    Tennis Court McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
  • Because of its generous upper surface, and its enormous RCS (radar cross section).
    • Thud Republic F-105 Thunderchief
    Thunder Piglet Fairchild Republic T-46A
  • The latest product of Republic, which traditionally gave aircraft names starting with 'Thunder'.
    • Thunderscreech Republic XF-84H
  • A Thunderstreak (F-84F) derivative with an extremely noisy turboprop engine.
    • Tin Goose Ford Trimotor
  • One of the first all-metal transport aircraft.
    • Tinker Toy Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
    Tin Mossie Vickers 432
  • Looked like the de Havilland Mosquito, but was of all-metal construction.
    • Torbeau Bristol Beaufighter TF.X
  • This version of the Beaufighter could carry a torpedo.
    • Tripehound Sopwith Triplane
    Triple Threat Republic F-105 Thunderchief
  • It could bomb you, it could shoot you, and it could fall on you...
    • Tsetse De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.XVIII
  • A Mosquito with a larger cannon.
    • T-tailed Mountain Magnet Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
    Tub Convair TF-102 Delta Dagger
    Turkey Grumman F-14 Tomcat
    Turkey Grumman TBF Avenger
    Tweet Cessna T-37
  • Refers to whistling noise of its engines.
    • Tweety Bird Cessna T-37
  • Refers to whistling noise of its engines.

    • U

    <
    Ubiytsa Yakovlev Yak-3U
  • Killer. Popular interpretation of the version letter of this later version of the Yak-3.
    • Ultra Hog Republic F-105 Thunderchief
  • The F-84 was the Hog, the F-84F the Super Hog.
    • Useless 78 Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
    Useless Deuce Lockheed U-2

    V

    Velcro Hawk Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
  • Because of the large number of add-ons.
    • Vercse Yakovlev Yak-9P
  • "Hawk". Name of the Yak-9P in Hungarian service.
    • Vibrator Vultee BT-13 Valiant
    Vibrator Vought SB2U Vindicator
    Viper General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
  • By reference to the spacefighters of the SF-series "Battlestar Galactica."
    • Vomit Comet Douglas DC-3
    Voting Member F-16 pilot
  • Because the computers can override his commands, if they are outside the design envelope.

    • W

    War Hoover Lockheed S-3 Viking
  • Because of the noise of its TF34 engines.
    • Warthog Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
  • It is ugly and a 'mud-mover', i.e. a ground support aircraft.
    • Weenie Wagon Douglas C-133
  • Because of the shape of its fuselage.
    • Whale Douglas F3D Skynight
    Whale Douglas A3D Skywarrior
    Whispering Death Bristol Beaufighter
  • Because of the typical sound of its sleeve-valve radial engines, less noisy than poppet-valve engines.
    • Whistling Death Vought F4U Corsair
  • Because of the whistling sound caused by its wing leading edge radiators. The name is attributed to the Japanese, but might as well be a propaganda effort.
    • Whistling Shitcan BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier
    Whistling Shitcan Douglas A3D Skywarrior
    White Rocket Northrp T-38 Talon
    Widow-Maker Martin B-26 Marauder
  • Because of a series of accidents in its early career. Pilots were not used to its high wing loading.
    • Willie the Whale Tacit Blue
  • Because of its inverted bath-tub fuselage shape and dorsal air intake.
    • Willy Fudd Grumman W2F
    Wimpey Vickers Wellington
  • After the comic strip figure J. Wellington Wimpey.
    • Wind Indicator Vought SB2U Vindicator
    Wobblin' Goblin Lockheed F-117
    Wooden Wonder de Havilland Mosquito
  • Because of its wooden construction and its high performance.
    • World's Largest Dog Whistle Cessna T-37
  • Refers to whistling noise of its engines.

    • Y

    Yastreb Polikarpov I-16
  • "Hawk."
    • Yastrebok Polikarpov I-16,
  • "Little Hawk." Also for other fighters.
    • Yellow Peril Stearman N2S / PT-17 Kaydet
  • Yellow was a normal color for US training aircraft during WWII.

    • Military Aircraft Database . Index

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