Just for Fun: Nicknames of Aircraft
01-28-2013, 10:18 AM
#62
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,839
Nice job.
Because McDonnell had already named a previous aircraft the Phantom, the F-4 became the "Phantom II." In a display of self-deprecating affection, we often called it "Double Ugly."
We also called it "The Rhino," supposedly because it had a thick hide impervious to attack, could run really fast, and didn't turn worth a damn (just like the animal).
This was decades before the F-18E/F crowd called their jet the Rhino. (We have first dibbs).
I flew the F-4G, or Wild Weasel variant. We often referred to it as a "Geasel." (Pronounced with a soft-G or 'J' sound).
Because McDonnell had already named a previous aircraft the Phantom, the F-4 became the "Phantom II." In a display of self-deprecating affection, we often called it "Double Ugly."
We also called it "The Rhino," supposedly because it had a thick hide impervious to attack, could run really fast, and didn't turn worth a damn (just like the animal).
This was decades before the F-18E/F crowd called their jet the Rhino. (We have first dibbs).
I flew the F-4G, or Wild Weasel variant. We often referred to it as a "Geasel." (Pronounced with a soft-G or 'J' sound).
Would 'Rhino II' make you feel better?
(Btw - I don't where the Super Hornt guys came up with that name. Maybe someone in th know will speak up - BDGERJMN?)
My first time learning of the 'Rhino' moniker was when I was with some old crews from VMFP-3 (last active duty unit flying RF-4Bs)
01-28-2013, 10:48 AM
#63
Runs with scissors
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Position: Going to hell in a bucket, but enjoying the ride .
Posts: 7,730
Nice job.
Because McDonnell had already named a previous aircraft the Phantom, the F-4 became the "Phantom II." In a display of self-deprecating affection, we often called it "Double Ugly."
We also called it "The Rhino," supposedly because it had a thick hide impervious to attack, could run really fast, and didn't turn worth a damn (just like the animal).
This was decades before the F-18E/F crowd called their jet the Rhino. (We have first dibbs).
I flew the F-4G, or Wild Weasel variant. We often referred to it as a "Geasel." (Pronounced with a soft-G or 'J' sound).
Because McDonnell had already named a previous aircraft the Phantom, the F-4 became the "Phantom II." In a display of self-deprecating affection, we often called it "Double Ugly."
We also called it "The Rhino," supposedly because it had a thick hide impervious to attack, could run really fast, and didn't turn worth a damn (just like the animal).
This was decades before the F-18E/F crowd called their jet the Rhino. (We have first dibbs).
I flew the F-4G, or Wild Weasel variant. We often referred to it as a "Geasel." (Pronounced with a soft-G or 'J' sound).
Reminds me of the joke one of our UPT instructors told us;
"They say if you put a big enough engine on it, you can make anything fly...but they had to put two of them on the F4."
01-28-2013, 12:18 PM
#65
Moderate Moderator
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: Curator at Static Display
Posts: 5,681
Hey now UAL - you can't be mad at the new 'Rhino' guys if the beloved Phantom didn't even have first dibbs on the its' own name
Would 'Rhino II' make you feel better?
(Btw - I don't where the Super Hornet guys came up with that name. Maybe someone in the know will speak up - BDGERJMN?)
My first time learning of the 'Rhino' moniker was when I was with some old crews from VMFP-3 (last active duty unit flying RF-4Bs)
Would 'Rhino II' make you feel better?
(Btw - I don't where the Super Hornet guys came up with that name. Maybe someone in the know will speak up - BDGERJMN?)
My first time learning of the 'Rhino' moniker was when I was with some old crews from VMFP-3 (last active duty unit flying RF-4Bs)
But if so, the Super Bug guys would be "Rhino III."
I wondered if the Super Hornet guys used 'Rhino' because both the F-4 and Super Hornet display a classic McDonnell fix to an aerodynamic problem: they have a saw-tooth leading edge. That is, the leading edge of the outboard wing panels (outboard of the wing-fold) has about another 5-6 inches of chord.
It's a way to keep the boundary layer attached at high AOA and minimize wing-rock.
01-29-2013, 06:09 AM
#66
Get's Every Day Off
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: Retired
Posts: 1,860
01-30-2013, 07:25 PM
#68
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Position: Sleeping in the black swan’s nest.
Posts: 5,725
The DC-8 is the cable car.
At UAL the 747 is the whale, the 777 is bigfoot and the 737 was the guppy. Much to disappointment of come of our L-Cal brethren and sisters who so desperately seek to find insult in calling the 737 a guppy. It is nothing more than a reference to the whale, biggest and smallest of the fleet, evil empire stuff like that.
At UAL the 747 is the whale, the 777 is bigfoot and the 737 was the guppy. Much to disappointment of come of our L-Cal brethren and sisters who so desperately seek to find insult in calling the 737 a guppy. It is nothing more than a reference to the whale, biggest and smallest of the fleet, evil empire stuff like that.
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