Forum: F-35 Lightning II

I honestly don't like any of the above names, so I vote "none of the above".

My personal preference for the F-35 nickname would be Raven.

The EF-111 is now retired, so the name has been freed up. Raven just sounds good. And the names Raptor and Raven sound good together. Considering the two aircraft will compliment each other, it would be a perfect fit. I would much prefer that be the nickname than any other suggestion I've heard so far.

And last but not least, Raven is simple and sounds "cool".

Yup, that'd be my pick.

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Fox1 wrote:

My personal preference for the F-35 nickname would be Raven.

The EF-111 is now retired, so the name has been freed up. Raven just sounds good. And the names Raptor and Raven sound good together. Considering the two aircraft will compliment each other, it would be a perfect fit. I would much prefer that be the nickname than any other suggestion I've heard so far.

You mean Raven II right? Just because the EF-111 is now retired doesn't mean that name Raven can be used again. It's like naming the F-35 Mustang, it can't work being that the name has taken by the P-51, even though it's retired, it would still have to be called Mustang II. It's unfortunate, but that's how naming aircraft goes...

Safetystick wrote:

It's a UK heritage thing.

Kestral was the name of the prototype aircraft that would eventually become the Harrier. As a bird its also renowned for hovering whilst it looks for prey.

See, all makes sense (given a small knowledge of UK aerospace and ornithology )

Now that I think of it, I guess Kestrel could work out to be a excellent name for the F-35B, because it's VTOL capability does match with the ability the kestrel has of hovering while looking for prey, so Safetystick, you do have a good point. However the name wouldn't work for the other JSF variants. So now I also hope that each JSF variant will have seperate names. As of now these are my choices of names that I believe each variant should have:

USAF F-35A: Razorback
UK F-35B: Kestrel
USN F-35C: ???

Note: These names are just my opinion of what I think each variant should be called.

EDIT: Yay, this is my 250th post, I'm now a Veteran. Very Happy

agilefalcon16, Ive said that many times, but no one seems to make note of it.

My ideas were:

USAF F-35A Razorback
USMC F-35B Bulldog
USN F-35C Wasp
UK F-35 Kestrel

I hear the UK may take F-35C if they use "cats" for there new carriers.

I threw in for Ranger... it'd work for the American side. Let the r.o.w. deal with the name however they want. Biggest problem with 'ranger' would be on the battlefield to say "3 rangers comin' in hot", there could be confusion if they were talking about the F-35 or Army Rangers.... so now I wish I could take my vote back. Oh well, Ranger is still the best of this lot of names...

I don't mind them calling it Joint Strike Fighter with no other nickname, because we can acronym it and just say "Josef."

Yikes, Josef Stalin a good idea? Please take some history lessons. Bulldog: Sorry, allready taken by the Scottish Aviation Bulldog, a piston-engined training aircraft which was used by the RAF.

Wasp: also used by the Westland Wasp (naval) light helicopter and the 40,000 ton Wasp-class LandingshipHelicopter currently used by the USMC, one of the ships is named USS Wasp.

Ranger: the name of a US aircraft carrier.

Maybe, Cyclone or Whirlwind can be an alternative?

The best nicknames are those given by other communities... mocking the plane.

It's a Lockheed product, it should be a Celestial name. Smile

Lawnmower, since it'll be flying low. *grins*

Trying to keep this short and not waste space in this topic, but still not letting an insult stand. <a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-676.html">The other thread</a> should be used more for discussion on names I think.

@ locum:

I've been taking 'history lessons' for.... 6 years collegiately, now. If you'd read <a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-676.html">the other thread</a> on nicknames, you'd see I brought up and discussed Josef there, and how one flaw would be people's association with Stalin. So in spelling it would be more likely "Joseph" the American way. There are more "Josefs" or "Josephs" in the world than Stalin. I chose to spell it with F just for the sake of the acronym.

If the name Joint Strike Fighter is the officially chosen name, people (especially military) have a tendency to acronym and then pronounce the acronym as a word. So, it'll more than likely happen.

F-35 Thunderchief II

It's got similar looking intakes to the original and it's likely going to surpass it as the heaviest single-engine fighter of all time. I don't mean that as a slam because even the "Lightweight" F-16 is damn near there at 52k gross. And they could even refer to it as the "Thud 2.0" Republic is gone so it's not like they'd argue.

Forum Veteran Joined: Dec 25, 2003 - 10:03 PM Posts: 679

As a Ford Mustang fan I think it'd be insulting to refer to any plane as a Mustang II. That car was wrong like speedos. It's funny you refer to republic, they're here on the island, or were, many of the buildings are almost falling to the ground. But I don't know, I've always been a fan of abandoned buildings.. Now wtf is Arbalest.

I personally like Kestrel for the name. It just sounds cool

ar·ba·lest also ar·ba·list ( P ) Pronunciation Key (ärb-lst)
n.
A medieval missile launcher designed on the principle of the crossbow
Thank Dictionary.com for that one.

I personally think Kestrel sounds funny. Like some mentally challenged bird flying around not knowing what its doing. Just kidding. As for Phoenix, that would means it would need to get shot down first so it could rise from it's own ashes. Personally, I think it needs a far more bad@$$ name like wraith. Maybe I've played to many games, but that name just sounds cooler than that others. Twisted Evil

Remember this isn't a UK product, it's US and Kestrel was a British name already. How about the F-35 "Why the heck did this bomb land on my head?" Razz

Last edited by agilefalcon16 on Aug 15, 2005 - 12:54 PM; edited 1 time in total

I'm still convinced that the ultimate name for the USAF F-35 would be "Razorback". Just take a look at this image:

I don't know about you guys, but I just don't see how names like "Phoenix" or "Waith" would fit the appearance of this bulky aircraft. Even though the names do sound cool, I believe the name should match the aircraft, as the name "Raptor"(Defined as either bird of prey or Velociraptor) perfectly matchs the capabilities of the F/A-22. I believe "Razorback" would be the best choice for the USAF F-35A because the JSF is given the the A2G work, or the "Dirty jobs". Likewise, pigs are well know for being very dirty animals. I also think the airframe shape would match the name excellently.

Like I mentioned earlier, I also believe that each variant should receive it's own name. Kestrel would be a great name the the VTOL F-35B as, like the aircraft, kestrels are well known for hovering. Even though the name doesn't fit the aircraft's looks, the name does match the F-35B's VTOL ability. However, this name probably shouldn't be used for the non-VTOL F-35 variants.

Just my Two Cents

worth.

How about dog breeds? I voted for griffon. I like F-35 BOXER or, F-35 RIDGEBACK as well.
Dogs...hmmmm. Don`t think F-35 PORTUGUESE WATER DOG would cut it as a ground attack aircraft!!!!!

Characteristics of a Ridgeback, endurance and speed. Character of a Boxer, fearlesness......

Forum: F-35 Lightning II

F-35 Joint Strike Fighter nickname poll