F-35 Joint Strike Fighter nickname poll

EriktheF-16462 took the initiative earlier on with a poll but, as promised, we've made a new one with more names in it. All posts from that previous 'mocassin' topic have been moved to the <a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-676.html">F-35 name assumptions</a> thread.

As lamoey wrote, "Reading the USAF web site makes me think they have named it. The name is simply F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, but as with the F-16 Fighting Falcon, the users then later gave it a suitable nickname, i.e. Viper. So what we're in reality discussing here then is its <b>future nickname</b>..."

Anyway, I have gone trough all the posts in that <a href="f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-676.html">F-35 name assumptions</a> thread and listed the ones which made most sense. Feel free to come up with new suggestions. We can always have another poll after this one with the top five names + another five new names.

Let's start voting!

I like the name Phoenix..Id like to see them stick with a bird..also just think its a sweet name for the plane..cant really say why

I like diamondback (last name is Diamond!)

Problem with it being "Joint" is that you will have all the services arguing. Since the Navy is prime on the contract they will probably get the rights. Since they have shown affinity for Cat names maybe they will call it the PoleCat. If the USAF Academy is allowed to choose it will probably be something like the Turkey Buzzard because they would never let it have a better name than the Raptor. Sadly there is no such bird as a Raptor - it is a class of predatory birds. That's what happens when you let college kids (read officers) pick the names. You get one no real person likes or understands. I say call the F-35 "Be Nice or Die"

The arbalest one always makes me laugh.

I actually like Cougar now. Aggressive, yet stealthy. Aggressive describes the forward view of the F-35. Stealthy, well... you all know.

Anyone think Hunter or Wraith is good enough to be put on the poll? How would we actually get names into the official list?

I'm thinkin' Kestrel is the best name. Razorback isn't bad but thats a pig and pigs dont fly so good. Phoenix is just too...girly. Mustang II wouldn't be bad

desmo wrote:Anyone think Hunter or Wraith is good enough to be put on the poll?

I would say not, being that those names are too cool for the F-35's chunky looks.

Razorback isn't bad but thats a pig and pigs dont fly so good.

Yeah, but remember, Tomcats (The F-14's name) don't fly so well either.

Phoenix is just too...girly.

I definitly agree with you there...

I hope the RN/RAF get to give it a seperate name. Currently the RAF are (seemingly) using the late Hawker WWII aircraft as the naming basis so after Tornado (swing wing strike aircraft) Typhoon (Eurofighter) the next logical one is Tempest.

So, I imagine, in RAF/RN use the F-35B (American name) would be FA Mk 1 Tempest.

But out of the names presented, Kestral seems the most logical for the F-35B. Avenger would be nice for the US Navy F-35C (it is C isn't it? But then you have the A-12 legacy to worry about....) So Tiger or Cougar would come a close second (Seeming as you have little in the way of Lockheed US Navy fighters).

Let's nickname it: Lance(r) Armstrong, a real survivor and a real winner. But will the F-35 be a 'strong arm'?.

All I have to say is the V-22 should be called the dragonfly and the F-35C should be the osprey. It makes a lot more flippin' sence

Safetystick wrote:But out of the names presented, Kestral seems the most logical for the F-35B.

I don't see how Kestrel would be the most logical for the F-35, after all, a kestrel (The bird) is a small member of the falcon family, so it would make more sence to give that name to a smaller and lighter aircraft. The T-50 would actually have been the perfect candidate for the name Kestrel because the T-50 is considered by many, to be smaller variant of the F-16.

Raptorman wrote: All I have to say is the V-22 should be called the dragonfly and the F-35C should be the osprey. It makes a lot more flippin' sence.

Osprey would have been a good name for the Navy's F-35, but like you said, the name's been taken by the V-22. As far as renaming the V-22 to be called Dragonfly goes, it wouldn't work because the A-37 has been already been designated that name.

agilefalcon16 wrote:

Safetystick wrote:But out of the names presented, Kestral seems the most logical for the F-35B.

I don't see how Kestral would be the most logical for the F-35, after all, a kestral (The bird) is a small member of the falcon family, so it would make more sence to give that name to a smaller and lighter aircraft. The T-50 would actually have been the prefect candidate for the name Kestral because the T-50 is considered by many, to be smaller variant of the F-16.

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 )

There's been a small movement in the UK popular press to get the UK variant to be called Kestral. Personally I prefer Tempest but I've always been a sucker for the late WWII Hawker airframes

Silly Britons, Triks are for kids