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FLEET AIR ARM - INFORMATION SOUGHT ABOUT AIRCRAFT NICKNAMES

Throughout the history of the Fleet Air Arm, the various aircraft that have been operated have been given nicknames based upon their character, susceptibility to malfunction, events they have been involved in, ships they have been operated from and personnel they have been operated by. "Christine", "Aces High", "The Hog", "The Rattler", "Desmond" and "Wilson" are just a few of the names that aircraft have worn over the years, an example of the pride and character of the personnel who both maintained and operated them.

It is important that these nicknames shouldn't be lost due to the passage of time. In order to preserve this unique history it is proposed to formally record these names that the aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm have famously (or infamously) worn over the last 60 years. The aim is to publish them in book form, a permanent record of the special bond between man and machine these names represent.

If you know any of the nicknames aircraft have worn over the years your assistance in recording them would be appreciated. Submissions should including the following information where possible:

Aircraft Type
Aircraft Tail Number
Aircraft Nickname
Description of event/s that lead to the nickname
Rough dates during which the nickname was held (where possible) if name was not permanent
Any related photographs, either of the aircraft, flight crew or maintainers, especially ones showing any cartoons or identifying marks relating to the nickname. This includes mascots, flight patches or aircraft paint designs.

For more information or to forward any submissions, contact:

Lieutenant Alex Binns, RAN
Fleet Aviation Engineering Unit
Aviation Force Element Group
HMAS ALBATROSS
NOWRA HILL NSW 2540
Email: alex.binns@defence.gov.au
Phone: (02) 4424 1762
Fax: (02) 4424 2313

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