Name on Aircraft Side

[SNicholas]

Hello all,

Just a quick question for no other reason than curiosity. On fighter jets you nearly always see a name and rank written on the port side of the fuselage, just under the canopy. I've always wondered is that the pilot's name, or is it an officer who is responsible for the aircraft? Hopefully someone can shed some light on this matter for me.

Cheers

[PingDit]

Yes, it usually is the pilot's name. This is to help the pilot find his aircraft when there are lots of them that look the same parked together.
;)

[Wader2]

Yes, it usually is the pilot's name. This is to help the pilot find his aircraft when there are lots of them that look the same parked together.
;)

Nonsense, it is a security thing.

As an individual aircraft is rarely available for any particular flight the name does not relate to the pilot's real name.

When allocated Fg Off Prune's aircraft the pilot will draw the appropriate name badge and rank tabs for his flying suit. In the unfortunate event that he is shot down or interviewed by the press then that is the 'legend' that he will use.

[gareth herts]

I think in reality they are names of pilots serving on the squadron, and pilots do not neccessarily fly their "own" aircraft.

Certainly in USAF their would be a Crew Chief (ground crew) who looked after one particular plane but I have no idea whether that is true in the RAF or not - although you do see ground crews names on them too - on gear doors and such like.

I thought pilots found their plane by seeing which key worked in the ignition :}
G

[Wader2]

I thought pilots found their plane by seeing which key worked in the ignition :} G

Very true, but as Vulcan crews kept losing key you could buy a spare at Halfords.

FA501

I have no idea how many FA501 Lincoln Halfords sold over the years but it must have been hundreds :}

[Lytham Lifeboat]

Wader2 almost hit the nail on the head. The truth of the matter is that each (RAF) Squadron is allocated a series of names. The names such as Ben Dover, Hugh Jardon, Albert O'Balsam,Peter File etc are used to confuse the enemy in the event of loss in hostile territory. The names are allocated to aircraft, much in the same way that trains and civil aircraft are given names. Some aircrew choose to use spurious aircrew name badges as a further subterfuge.
Interestingly, the Army choose to put black masking tape over the eyes of certain soldiers on operations to hide their identity, the RAF tried this but lost 2 Tornados and a Harrier as a result. The RAF then chose to disguise identities by using the spurious name allocation system, which you have quite correctly noticed on certain aircraft. Fast Jets only, but that's another story.....

[forget]

Very true, but as Vulcan crews kept losing key you could buy a spare at Halfords.

That's a fact. The ignition key to my '58 Ford Zodiac fitted every aircraft. If Bruntingthorpe ever lose theirs the Ford code number was FP301.

[tonker]

I flew with an ex RAF captain last week who found an Airfix model of a lightning with his name on it!

[ZH875]

There were two Vulcan keys, the FA501 fitted most, and IIRC the ex Blue Steel aircraft used the other key.

As most aircraft were getting old, just about anything would open them in the end, I used to use the small key from my treader and wiggle it until the barrel unlocked.

[forget]

ZH875, You and I need to take a rest! Remembering a five digit key code from the 1960's is slightly 'odd'. :confused:

[Wigan Warrior]

Tonker, that’s uncanny, the same happened to my mate Jim Revell last year.
He was in a model shop on the Totenham Court Road and noticed that his name appeared on numeous aircraft, EVEN ONES HE’D NEVER FLOWN. I wonder if anyone else has had this happen to them? I wonder if there's any chance of making a few bob by asking for royalties?

[The Helpful Stacker]

which you have quite correctly noticed on certain aircraft. Fast Jets only, but that's another story.....

Ah but less pointy folk also placed names on aircraft.

72 Sqn used to have Flt Lt Sunshine (shortened to 'Sunshine' for operational reasons) on the side of a mighty Wessex in their care. Don't tell anyone though as its still a bit hush-hush.

[BeefyBoy]

During the mid 70's at Cranwell all the JP's were blessed with Instructors names and also a member of we 'Line-Swine'.

I think the idea was to improve morale. Oh how happy we became! :}

One other drawback was that you suddenly found people who you always tried to avoid found out where you were located. Should have banned landaways! :*

[whowhenwhy]

I was always under the impression that the problem with using a different key in "ya modern fast jet" was that the anti-intruder devide kicks in after a while activating the engine immobiliser. This is a particular problem on the Typhoon as the ac climbs so quickly it's at FL nose bleed before the immobiliser has chance to activate, thereby leaving our brave heroes stranded. :E

[Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!]

Actually it's to indicate sponsorship. The pilot agrees to have a certain amount of money docked out of his paycheck and once it's passed a certain level, then he gets his name painted on the side of his chosen aircraft. It's a way for the government to reduce crippling defence costs.

You also noticed the rank painted there, That really indicates the level of contribution and was chosen as it seemed so much more professional than using Silver, Gold, Platinum etc.

[Yellow Sun]

During the mid 70's at Cranwell all the JP's were blessed with Instructors names and also a member of we 'Line-Swine'.


Not between 1973-77, I think I would have remembered that. Maybe the Poachers aircraft did, but those would have been the only ones.

YS

[Dunhovrin]

Tonker, that’s uncanny, the same happened to my mate Jim Revell last year.
He was in a model shop on the Totenham Court Road and noticed that his name appeared on numeous aircraft, EVEN ONES HE’D NEVER FLOWN. I wonder if anyone else has had this happen to them?
Yes, my mate Horatio Before-Flight also noticed his name cropping up on tags on aircraft calling for his dismissal. He started to get a persecution complex.

[Pontius Navigator]

Actually it's to indicate sponsorship. The pilot agrees to have a certain amount of money docked out of his paycheck and once it's passed a certain level, then he gets his name painted on the side of his chosen aircraft. It's a way for the government to reduce crippling defence costs.

You also noticed the rank painted there, That really indicates the level of contribution and was chosen as it seemed so much more professional than using Silver, Gold, Platinum etc.

I believe for extra cash you can also have your pennant painted on too.

Of course for landaways if the named pilot is not on board the operating pilot had to carry a can of the appropriate coloured spray paint to hide the fact that he is not actually 4* CAS. They did try stickon magnetic star plates but fortunately these fell off the plastic jet otherwise they might have upset the compass system.

[camlobe]

Hello SNicholas.
On proper, real mens aircraft, the Rank and name displayed below the port front window referred to Captains who had that particular aircraft allocated to them. On occasions, they would even fly 'their' aircraft if they were serviceable/available/not detached.
It was quite easy to spot 'real mens aircraft'. They were allocated to a Squadron where the number of crews almost equaled the number of aircraft. The aircraft were also equiped with the tailwheel attached to the proper end of the aircraft. The Squadron was also historically a Fighter Squadron. And, of course, the Squadron flying crews were all...men.
The only, late 20th Century example of 'real mens aircraft' that comes to mind was 'Real Eight' (as opposed to 'Eight South') who operated that fine British stalwart, the Avro Shackleton AEWII.

And for those doubters, I have WL756's nose outside my office. And it still has Flt Lt M****n H*****s name on it.

camlobe

[BeefyBoy]

Yellow Sun

I stand corrected. Used the term mid 70's as I was unsure when they did it. In answer to the 'Poachers' aircraft, I can safely say that no names were applied on any of the aircraft during the seasons. I was a member of the Poachers Groundcrew during the 75-76 seasons. Most times I flew with Dave Webley or Martin Stoner.

I was a JPH 'Liney' from 73-79 so therefore I am pretty sure I must had strapped you in at some time.

Regards

[Flatright]

While on an F3 sqn in the early 1990's, the bosses new ac had his name applied under the front cockpit 'Wg Cdr Bloggs' (name changed to protect the guilty). XO nav was mighty miffed that his name didn't appear under the rear cockpit. After several weeks of badgering SEngO, his wish was finally granted. Even more miiffed to find the ac then marked 'Wg Cdr Bloggs' and 'Wg Cdr Blogg's Nav'!

[4fitter]

For those who know me they will recall our trip to Australia and myself being Brent Sinclair, whilst everybody else was slave to Brent, pimp to Brent, photographer to Brent etc. Oh happy days and nights :E

[petermcleland]

This was mine :)

http://www.petermcleland.com/misc/myhunter9.jpg

[ShyTorque]

Nice one Pete. What rank did you achieve when you grew up?

One disadvantage of having your name painted on an aircraft.... I went back to my old squadron and noticed "my" aircraft wasn't out on the line. I asked the GCs where it was. They looked at each other and one of them quietly showed me a sad looking pile of wreckage in the corner of the hangar!

Someone, who shall remain nameless, forgot to select fuel to "both" before takeoff on a summer camp. :(

[Bob Viking]

Mine is sitting in a dusty hangar at Cosford (if it's not already being torn to pieces by engineering trainees!). It makes me feel old!
I never even got a chance to fly it whilst my moniker was adorned on the side (Jengo and Sengo I still haven't forgiven you!).
BV:{

[petermcleland]

>Nice one Pete. What rank did you achieve when you grew up?<

Well I was only in for 12 years and never got beyond Flight Lieutennant...I then served 22 years in B.E.A./B.A. and retired as a Senior Captain.

BTW...That is my son in the cockpit and he is now 53! :eek:

[Load Toad]

Health and Safety will want a quiet word if he's been in that cockpit all that time.

[stiknruda]

Posts 24 & 27 have had me laughing out loud!

Well done chaps.

Stik

[glum]

S'not just the fast and pointy ones, the Tristar used to thave GE's names on the nose doors.

Can't afford the stickers these days...

[Flatus Veteranus]

Pete. Lovely pic! I was lucky enough to be a flight commander on 208 in the fifties and had my very own aeroplane - Meteor FR9 WX962 "Queenie" (with the bright yellow nose and chequered yellow and black fin). She had all the bells and knobs - "deep breathers", spring tabs, clear-view canopy etc. And I adored her. Her fitter's and riggers's names were under mine. Of course she had to be flown by others, but I was able to be selective about who flew her. I still wonder what happened to her her after I left early in 1957. I hope to see you at the dinner on 27 Oct when I shall be boring everyone stupid as guest speaker. My pics of the times are not as sharp as yours and the colour has not lasted well. Otherwise I might post the odd one (if I knew how!)

[forget]

WX962 Meteor FR9 d/d 23/05/1952, sold as scrap 07/01/1958 at No.12 MU Kirkbride to Aluminium Refiners Ltd. Sorry :sad:

After posting this I felt a little :( so I did another search on WX962. It may be, Flat Vet, that there's a model out there of this very aircraft.

Trouble is, the web site is in German and all I can tell you is;

M 1:72 – Bausätze. FR Mk.9 RAF, 208 Sq (WX962) Q mittlerer Osten 1950 + (WX956) A Malta 1956, (WZ603) W Sharja 1960 MPM BMP-72534 22,40

Later still! Found it :ok: http://www.modellversium.de/kit/artikel.php?id=1819

[petermcleland]

>I hope to see you at the dinner on 27 Oct when I shall be boring everyone stupid as guest speaker.<

Is that a 208 Squadron reunion?

[petermcleland]

My lovely XE609 "Echo" died in an engine fire at Khormaksar, some years after I left 208 Squadron :sad:

[stickmonkeytamer]

I remember seeing "SPOTTY" for the nav/ WSO/ whatever the guy does in the back of an F3 and "WILLY" alongside the pilot on the starboard side some years ago... I think that it was either with 11 or 25 Sqn.
Maybe it was just a medical condition warning when they diverted, and not their nicknames...:E
SMT

[seac]

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd96/seac_2007/Mylit.jpg
http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd96/seac_2007/031005170239.jpg
I knew I had it somewhere, apologies to the gentleman concerned ( At least I did not put the nickname!)
The names below:
Cpl N Hyde
SAC M Loynes

[Kitbag]

Seac, just out of interest, what was the significance of the aircraft silhouettes below your name? Was that standard across Binbrook or just 5 Sqn?

[seac]

Nothing more than "Groundcrew" banter and excercise kills , and I was not the driver .
Actualy have another pic if I can find it , of the aforementioned Mr. Stevens , without his "Bone dome" covering his bone dome if you know the gentleman !!

Additional pic added above.

[The Real Slim Shady]

I alwyas liked Ray Pinchin's "Dog" which had stencilled under the canopy Flt Lt RP Pinchin DILLIGAF.

[bluetail]

Proudest day of my RAF career when they put my name on the side of a Jet, I was a Ground Eng and a Kipper mate, sadly my jet fell in Afghanistan, I had a print done for me long ago.

Still bloody proud, because I considered it a great honour.

[seac]

It was , and still is a great honour for me , the scary thing is that it's 25 years ago!!

[Flatus Veteranus]

Pete, indeed it is the annual 208 reunion. RAF Club Sat 27 Oct 1830 for 1930 Lounge suit guests welcome £36 per head. If you are interested suggest you email Hon Sec [email protected]

Forget, thanks for the info. I am glad she was scrapped and is probably now giving someone useful service as a saucepan, rather than languishing in a sadder and sadder state as a gate guardian.

I am a bit puzzled about the German model kit which shows Queenie fitted with the old-style canopy with the solid rear end. In "my ownership" she had the clear-view canopy all round. However these were a bit fragile. I had one blow out on me (not in "Queenie") cllimbing out of Khartoum for Juba, at about FL200. Back at Khartoum it was found that the perspex fragments had peppered the fin and rudder. The holes could be patched temporarily with fabric and dope but I had to wait for a replacement canopy from Abu Sueir, which was the old style canopy when it arrived. I was supposed to be weekending at Eastleigh and Khartoum was no substitute ! (bloody sh**hole). I notice that at one stage she was in 8 Sqn colours (8 subsumed our detachment at Khormaksar when 208 disbanded on Meatboxes, I believe). So maybe that was when she was fitted with the old-style canopy because clear ones were in short supply. The corgi model of "Queenie" shows her with the clear view canopy but the wrong colour scheme. MEAF aircraft were finished in aluminium paint. Thanks again for your research.