Re: Unofficial Plane Names?


Jack G wrote:
How common was the name "Rhino" for the Phantom? and aside from the well
known BUFF, Scooter, Zipper, and SLUF what were some of the other
unofficial names for various airplanes? I think the F-100 was called the
"Hun".

(In the Air Force computer world where I spent my 4 years, we knew airplanes
by the two letter type code i.e.. TE = T-37; TF = T-38; etc)

Seapig for the SH-3, Jolly for the HH-3/H-52

Kaman Coffin for the H-2 (only front line aircraft to have production
line reopened after 25 years due to heavy losses for the type while in
service)

S-3 Viking = known as Hoover to every person who ever heard it!

EA-6B Prowler = "Prowler" when its next to land on the CV, in all other
cases, it was called a "Queer". Loudest a/c on deck and quite painful
to the ears.

A-3D Skywarrior = All Three Dead

going back aways...

SB2C = known as the Beast to its pilots, or "Sumbitch 2nd Class" to
deck crews as its service designation looks quite similar to an
enlisted Navy rank

SBD = Slow But Deadly

TBD = To Be Destroyed

Vindicator = Wind Indicator (due to it slow speed)

Dumbo = any rescue aircraft in WWII (Dumbo was the brevity code word
for such a/c)

v/r
Gordon

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