Why don't Americans use the names of their planes?
Discussion
We usually refer to aircraft with their names such as Spitfire, Phantom, Dakota, Mustang, Starfighter, Galaxy etc.
I wonder why the Americans stick with the rather bland type designations when talking about their planes. They've had some great names for aircraft over the years but prefer to stick to talking about the F-104, or C-5, or P-51 or C-47 etc., etc.
I guess if you want to be specific about a particular model of aircraft (eg: B17G, F15E etc.), it makes sense, but otherwise I prefer to stick to the name.
Did we actually give one or two of them their names (Dakota springs to mind)?
I wonder why the Americans stick with the rather bland type designations when talking about their planes. They've had some great names for aircraft over the years but prefer to stick to talking about the F-104, or C-5, or P-51 or C-47 etc., etc.
I guess if you want to be specific about a particular model of aircraft (eg: B17G, F15E etc.), it makes sense, but otherwise I prefer to stick to the name.
Did we actually give one or two of them their names (Dakota springs to mind)?
Yes, Dakota was a name given to the military versions of the DC-3 by the RAF.
In fact, the RAF named quite a few American aircraft when they adopted them for their own use -
the North American T-6 became the Harvard
the Grumman F4F became the Martlet
the Boeing B-29 became the Washington
the Douglas A-20 became the Boston
I think it is a cultural thing. Also, in the US, some aircraft were given different designations and names by the services that were using it. For example, in the US Navy, the Douglas DC-3 was known as the R4D Skytrain. In the US Army it was the C-47. The RAF Harvard was the T-6 in US Army service and the SNJ in US Navy service.
In fact, the RAF named quite a few American aircraft when they adopted them for their own use -
the North American T-6 became the Harvard
the Grumman F4F became the Martlet
the Boeing B-29 became the Washington
the Douglas A-20 became the Boston
I think it is a cultural thing. Also, in the US, some aircraft were given different designations and names by the services that were using it. For example, in the US Navy, the Douglas DC-3 was known as the R4D Skytrain. In the US Army it was the C-47. The RAF Harvard was the T-6 in US Army service and the SNJ in US Navy service.
The origional designations were set by the US Army.
When the US Air Force was formed in 1947, some of them were changed e.g. P (for Pursuit) became F (for Fighter).
The US Navy used a very different system using a three letter designator denoting manufacturer and the role opf the aircraft. That is why the Catalina was called the PBY in US Navy service and the Harvard the SNJ.
In 1962, the two old systems were abolished and the unified one in use today instigated which meant that the US Navy and Air Force now use common designators. Aircraft already in service in 1962 were largely (but not completely) redesignated. For instance, the F4H Phantom became the F-4 Phantom. Under the old system, the US Air Force were planning on calling the Phantom the F-110.
When the US Air Force was formed in 1947, some of them were changed e.g. P (for Pursuit) became F (for Fighter).
The US Navy used a very different system using a three letter designator denoting manufacturer and the role opf the aircraft. That is why the Catalina was called the PBY in US Navy service and the Harvard the SNJ.
In 1962, the two old systems were abolished and the unified one in use today instigated which meant that the US Navy and Air Force now use common designators. Aircraft already in service in 1962 were largely (but not completely) redesignated. For instance, the F4H Phantom became the F-4 Phantom. Under the old system, the US Air Force were planning on calling the Phantom the F-110.
My other half was in the USAF, she's said that throughout training and your career, aircraft and weapons are always referred to by just their designations, and although you will be taught the nickname because you never use it unless you make an effort you may not even remember it. She for instance doesn't know almost any of the aircraft nicknames for the ones she worked with, but she knows all the designations.
There are "Nicknames" and "proper names".
The B-1 was officially the Lancer but was always referred to as "The Bone".
The A-7 was the Corsair but usually referred to as the SLUFF
The B-52 is the Suoperfortress but is usually called the BUFF.
My favourite nickname was the one given to the B-26 Marauder, It was nicknamed "The Baltimore w
e" - because it didn't seem to have any visible means of support (It was built by Martin at their Baltimore factory and had a very high wing loading for its time).
The B-1 was officially the Lancer but was always referred to as "The Bone".
The A-7 was the Corsair but usually referred to as the SLUFF
The B-52 is the Suoperfortress but is usually called the BUFF.
My favourite nickname was the one given to the B-26 Marauder, It was nicknamed "The Baltimore w
e" - because it didn't seem to have any visible means of support (It was built by Martin at their Baltimore factory and had a very high wing loading for its time).Eric Mc said:
My favourite nickname was the one given to the B-26 Marauder, It was nicknamed "The Baltimore we" - because it didn't seem to have any visible means of support (It was built by Martin at their Baltimore factory and had a very high wing loading for its time).
e" - because it didn't seem to have any visible means of support (It was built by Martin at their Baltimore factory and had a very high wing loading for its time).
never heard that beforeSimpo Two said:
Well I never knew that. Any more? The only ones I can add are P-47 'Jug' and F-105 'Thud'.
BUFF - Big Ugly Fat fkerSLUF - Short Little Ugly f
kerJug was short for Juggernaught but that was a Spam nickname, the RAF called it the T-Bolt.
Thud was (I think) a shortened b
disation of Thunderchief.The C-47 was often called the "Gooney Bird" or just the "Gooney".
The C-130 Hercules was known as "Fat Albert".
The AC-47 gunship derivative of the C-47 was called "Puff the Magic Dragon".
The Cessna T-37 and A-37 was called the "Tweety Bird" or "Tweety". or "Tweet".
The U-2 was called "Dragon Lady".
The F-102 Delta Dagger was refered to as the "Deuce".
The C-130 Hercules was known as "Fat Albert".
The AC-47 gunship derivative of the C-47 was called "Puff the Magic Dragon".
The Cessna T-37 and A-37 was called the "Tweety Bird" or "Tweety". or "Tweet".
The U-2 was called "Dragon Lady".
The F-102 Delta Dagger was refered to as the "Deuce".
TheEnd said:
I thought Fat Albert was the nickname of just the Blue angels support plane, and named after some American cartoon.
The Blue Angels support a/c is certainly named 'Fat Albert' and it is true that the name comes from a US Comic character. However it was the RAF as first coined the phrase.Generally, when I was on Hercs, we referred to him as 'Albert'.
The tradition was that, upon arriving at the a/c on crew-in, we would greet the a/c with a 'Morning/Afternoon/Evening Albert'.
It's a tradition difficult to overcome and, even today when I see a Herc, I'll wave and say 'Morning/Afternoon/Evening Albert'.
Here's the full list, quite a few have names
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_airc...
I'll take a Blackbird please (SR71)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_military_airc...
I'll take a Blackbird please (SR71)
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