Best and Worst Aircraft Nicknames

How do the names given to fighters usually stack up to what they are called by the troops and what are the best and worst nicknames a plane could have. I know the F-111 was called the Lawndart because of the shape. What brought about the F-16 being called Viper? How well the the AF names of things fit their intended role?

Here's what the Russian call their planes, at least a short list of it. http://aeroweb.lucia.it/~agretch/RAFAQ/Prozvischa.html

And here are some American ones. http://www.coastcomp.com/av/fltline2/nickname.htm

LordOfBunnies wrote: I know the F-111 was called the Lawndart because of the shape.

Are you sure you mean the F-111? The only aircraft I've ever heard of to use that name was the F-16, and it was pretty much used only by non-Viper pilots in the early days of the F-16, when it had a high crash rate.

I think it was based on the really long nose of the F-111. I'm not sure and got it from an unreliable source I can't find again. As always I could be wrong, though I'm going to go find that link again if I can.

Oops, hahaha I was wrong. Ok here's the link I was talking about http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/gustin_military/nickname.html. Now I feel dumb . Anyway, have fun with that.

The Mig-15 Faggot seemed rather unfortunate! That was its NATO codename.
No offence intended to anyone.

Buff and Bone!
Why?Why?

Actually it's...

BUFF (in all caps) standing for "Big Ugly Fat F*cker"

BONE (alson in caps) standing for B-1 (One). Take the B, and put it next to ONE and you have BONE.
Ah, what the heck, BONE sounds better than Lancer (its given name).

From BUFF came SLUF for the A-7. SLUF = "Short Little Ugly F*cker".

The F-111's nickname was Aardvark, because of the nose.

Oh yeah, and the MiG-15 was the Fagot, not Faggot.

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Worst Aircraft Nickname = Spirit for the B-2. They could've come up with something better.

Best Aircraft Nickname = Rhino, for the F-4.

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

TC Wrote
Oh yeah, and the MiG-15 was the Fagot, not Faggot.

OOPPPPSSS!!!! I swear if you google my spelling you will get a Mig-15!
A faggot is actually some kind of food!!!!

LordOfBunnies wrote:Oops, hahaha I was wrong. Ok here's the link I was talking about http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~pettypi/elevon/gustin_military/nickname.html.

That's definitly one neat website you've found there LordOfBunnies, I had no idea "Little Hummer" was another nickname for the F-16 (Though, I don't know why). I also found it interesting that "Habu" is one of the nicknames of the SR-71.

My favorite is still the Huskie's "Flying Sh!thouse"

How in the world did it get that name? Did it suck that much or what?

snypa777 wrote:A faggot is actually some kind of food!

I don't think I want to eat it. George Michael might.

Some other a/c nicknames I really like...

Thud, Nickel, Ultra Hog, and Ultra Lead Sled = F-105

Six, and The Ultimate Interceptor = F-106

Mudhen, and Dark Grey = F-15E

Habu = SR-71 (It was perfect! Look at the chines. Just like the snake!)

T-Bird = T-33 (NOBODY called it "Shooting Star")

Leapin' Heap = AV-8B

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Actually the best a/c nickname of all time though would have to be a nickname that is so much associated with its aircraft that it is often confused as being the actual name of the aircraft. Now, the actual given name of the Bell Model 204 helicopter is "Iroquois".

You know it better as the UH-1 "Huey".

Beers and MiGs were made to be pounded!

TC, I'm quite disappointed in you that you didn't mention...what else...the "MiG Master"...none other than the F-8, hence your usual end quote there.

TC wrote:Actually it's...

BUFF (in all caps) standing for "Big Ugly Fat F*cker"

Always thought that one was kind of a slight misnomer... BU_ F it might be, but with that long, high aspect ratio fuselage, the BUFF ain't fat!

Before the B-1 became "Lancer" officially, someone thought up "Excalibur" - until it was pointed out that was also a well known brand of Prophylactic!

My vote for the B-2 was "Boomerang" - looks somewhat like one and returns to the user, unlike missiles

Aardvark was ok but Sparkvark (EF-111) was better!

agilefalcon16 wrote: I also found it interesting that "Habu" is one of the nicknames of the SR-71.

Ya don't say....

There's a very good reason that name was picked though.