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Re: Aircraft names

Posted by Joe S on Sat Jan 25, 2003 09:43:07 AM

In reply top Aircraft names posted by Tony C on Fri Jan 24, 2003 10:06:23 AM

As you know the Mustang was named by the BPC, and the follow on American version was known as "Apache". The Mustang name was ultimatly better and all subsequent fighter planes were called Mustang, here and there. The purchasing commission buying 459 of the new Martin model 179 named them "Marauder". Martin company proposed "Martian". As for the A-26, I am sure the British came up with that too. US Navy aircraft have normally had names, and Phantom was a US incarnation. The process of naming new USAF aircraft for the air force took a dissapointing turn back in the 80's and names for aircraft like the F-16, A-10, F-22 and who knows what else being poor. A callsign I heard recently was "Gucci". Guess what thats for? The name being the manufacturer of an expensive ladies handbag. Most expensive cargoplane? Yep C-17! Who says they have no sense of humor.

While they seemed far better than their American counterparts naming aircraft, why did the Wildcat become a Martlet?

Joe

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