Name For A400m

[philrigger]

;)

Aviation, Defense and Space News, Jobs, Conferences by AVIATION WEEK (http://www.aviationweek.com)

Antonio Rodríguez-Barberán, Airbus Military's new vice-president commercial, is a man with a sense of humor. During his first presentation to a trade media briefing in Seville, southern Spain, on the site of the A400M's final assembly line, Rodríguez-Barberán was touting the merits of the aircraft's refueling capacities.

He was explaining that it “can not only refuel male or female fighter aircraft (for those equipped with receptacle equipped receivers and those equipped with probe-equipment receivers), but it can also be refueled itself! Well, this plane is a hermaphrodite,” he concluded. The comment was met with a gale of laughter and immediate understanding amongst those present that the plane now has a name!

Any guesses as to what the name of the A400M will/should be ?

My nomination is HERMES.

Edited by Philrigger to add name suggestion.

[MostlyHarmless]

"Bob", naturally.

[Ivan Rogov]

Chas .

[Roadster280]

MUFF=Medium Ugly Fat F***er

[pma 32dd]

Wogan

After his Eurovision commentary

Or maybe Norton for its male/female refuelling!

:)

[Mick Strigg]

NAGATH of course....................................

Not As Good As The Hercules!

[Sospan]

How about TSR3?

[John Farley]

Roadster has it.

MUFF is perfect because some Muffs are also lovely

[Rocket2]

How about Latte? (sounds posh)

[Pontius Navigator]

Alphonso? or Fat Alphonso

[Green Flash]

A moment of brilliance from Roadster and the usual sage words from John Farley.

Does that mean para drops will be known as MUFF diving and TALO will be known as 'going down'?? :ok::};)

[TEEEJ]

Atlas.

TJ

[Runaway Gun]

IBIWISI

I'll Believe It When I See It

[barnstormer1968]

MUFF sounds great.

Multiple Use Force Flyer.


Or, simply becuause the project has been a complete C***

The Euros can call theirs whatever they like (as per Eurofighter), but as all RAF aircraft leak on a constant basis, then the thought of being told to stop the muffs dripping on the apron is worth it just for that alone.

Look at the size of the flaps on that MUFF etc!

Apparently, some folks see the word MUFF as a sexual term, but I cant see how:E

Of course it could also be called 'Grenadier'
It is photographed often...Looks well presented...Has a long history....Costs a lot to fund....But also seldom moves!

[BBadanov]

Bel-slow - oh, that's been used. Eurotruck!

[GICASI]

I thought it was 'The Bristol Bureaucrat'.

[merlinxx]

Nearly compitent Sh*gnasty:ugh:

[NutLoose]

Call it the Kentish.................

Why?

Well the A400 IS Kentish Town Rd :O

A400 Kentish Town Road | Photos of Road | Pics by Oxyman | UpMyStreet (http://local.upmystreet.com/picture-of-a400-kentish-town-road-id-473532.html)

OR even reminisce because it could also we called the Fortress or the Junction........ all are parts of the A400

Junction Road (designated the A400) is a road in north London (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London) between Archway tube station (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archway_tube_station) (at the top of Holloway Road (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holloway_Road)) and Tufnell Park tube station (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tufnell_Park_tube_station) (where the A400 continues southwards as Fortess Road).

Probably will be apt, as they both have been a struggle to get to the end off :E


Or how about HMS Queen Elizabeth that might appease the navy when the funds from that project are diverted to pay for them :ok:

[dead_pan]

What about Lionel? C'est tres jolie, n'est ce pas? Doubters could take the cockney translation.

[Vapor]

Toad

or

ToadLifter




Ribbitt......

[brakedwell]

Thunderbox :cool:

[ORAC]

Ahem, he was actually discussing the A330 MRTT (http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/blogs/defense/index.jsp?plckController=Blog&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&newspaperUserId=27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7&plckPostId=Blog%3a27ec4a53-dcc8-42d0-bd3a-01329aef79a7Post%3a217dc027-6192-40e9-84aa-99b81149a712&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest), not the A400M.

Not being possessed of a boom, the A400M is definitely of the female gender. A momma grizzly bear. ;)

[Blacksheep]

The Poirot. The French name that follows Hercules.

[TurningFinals]

ABBA - A Bloody Big Airlifter.

[ORAC]

Obelix (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelix) :ok:

[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

By "tradition", transport Types in Royal Air Force service were named after a town/city. I don't believe we've had one called the Scunthorpe yet. Although if it also has a tanker capability, it might invite the question; if Airbus put the T for tanker in A400M, who put the ........

[brakedwell]

How about the Airbus Abingdon?

[chopper2004]

MJP C.1

MJP as in

Marie-José Pérec - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie-Jos%C3%A9_P%C3%A9rec)

she won the 400m race in 96 :):cool::8

[Neptunus Rex]

Blacksheep

Poirot is not French, he's Belgian.
(Name three famous Belgians.)

[Seldomfitforpurpose]

Eddy Merckx, Audrey Hepburn and Jean Claude van Damme will do for starters :ok:

[c130jbloke]

The weird ginger cousin you only see at weddings ?

I know its not ginger.....

[dead_pan]

Napoleon

He was short and fat

[Windy Militant]

Poirot is not French, he's Belgian.
(Name three famous Belgians.)

I can only think of one but it fits
Bertrand well they are made of Plastic! ;)

[indie cent]

TFL

or TFE

or just TFD.

[Flugplatz]

'EURO-CREPE'?

Alternatively: 'COLLABORATOR'

Mind you, I like that 'OBELIX'

Flug :8

[Rigga]

ELEPHANT - then you'll all stop talking about it.

[billynospares]

The euro shirtlifter seems fitting or the Nemesis planet lifter for the american market :ok:

[Squirrel 41]

If JSF is Dave, then A400M should be Mabel.

[Always a Sapper]

Philrigger:
Any guesses as to what the name of the A400M will/should be ?

My nomination is HERMES.

Nearly Phil, nearly.... But a slight change to HERPES may be better..... :E

[barnstormer1968]

It can't be Mabel, and some folks don't like the name Dave either, as apparently aircraft are not to be known by nick names............Oh, and it can't be strike mouse either :E:E (see what I did there).

[racedo]

BIGGLES

Better it gets going less enemy smirk

or

GINGER

Goes in never gets exit route

or

ALGY

A Long Good Yawn

[racedo]

****HOT

Special High Impact Transport Hopefully On Time

[old-timer]

White Elephant or maybe, Dodo (a bit unfair to Elephants & Dodos though !)

;)

final thought; how about Brabazon III ? :D


Before I get shot down I checked, there was already a Brab' II :- :cool:

Mark II
In 1946 it was decided to make the second prototype based on the Bristol Coupled Proteus turboprop engines - eight paired turboprops driving 4-bladed screws through a common gearbox..[2] This would increase cruising speed from 260 to 330 mph (420–530 km/h) and ceiling while reducing the empty weight by about 10,000 lb (4,540 kg). This Brabazon Mark II, would be able to cross the Atlantic (London-New York) in a reduced time of 12 hours.

Although the Proteus was slimmer than the Centaurus, the wing thickness was not to be reduced in the Mark II but the leading edge would be extended around the engines.

Changes to the wheel arrangement planned for the Mark II would have allowed it to use most runways on both the North Atlantic and Empire routes.

[HopelessDiamond]

Hi all,
This my first post.

I suggest 'Camulos' the Romano-Celtic god of war or Epona the goddess of horses.

[NutLoose]

Welcome to the Forum Hopeless......




Call it the Anus, after all it will only end up hauling crap about......... :p

[Air Brake]

Gordon, fat, ugly and useless!

[philrigger]

;)

ORAC

O.K. Guilty as charged in your post #23. I put my hand up. I obviously did not read the article correctly. However my question still stands -

What name for the A400M?

[Madbob]

What about AIRTRUCK? We've already got the AIRBUS for pax, so AIRTRUCK must be ok to describe a freighter....

Just my 2 cents......

MB

[BEagle]

Re. A400M, it seems that 'Loadmaster' was originally intended to be the name....:\

However, although I suggested 'Bristol Bureaucrat' a while ago - and the crews call it 'Grizzly', of the names suggested here, I reckon 'Obelix' is the best. Or perhaps 'Obélix' in the French Air Force?

[sisemen]

How about "Cancelled" ?

[ColdCollation]

How about 'Bill'?

Builds on the pprune tradition of 'Dave'.

And no-one can deny that the A400m has turned out to be pricey...

:hmm:

[Jig Peter]

Remembering the Air Force's apparent liking for alliteratively-named aircraft types, I've been thinking of pleading for the designation "A400M" to be retained. "Abingdon" makes me publicise my wish ...
Of course it could also be called the "Accrington", in which case it'd be popularly known as "Stanley" ... and then there's "Aylesbury" for southern suburbanites, or "Ashford" for out-of-towners. 'Averfordwest might do as a far-out monicker???
Seriously, and Pur-leeze, people, let's leave it as it is, pur-leeze ...

PS. "Grizzly" ?????:E:E

[brakedwell]

I chose Abingdon because Blackburn Beverleys were based there for many years. Worthy predecessors of the A400M.

[Jig Peter]

The Beverley ... "Built like a catherdral, and about as fast", as a fellow transportee remarked as we droned for what seemed like years between Singapore and Labuan, to get our hands on "our" Canberras ... There's just not that much to look at over the South China Sea ... How the "Bev" crews stood it I just didn't know, it must have required some very special talents.
Once was e-nuff foe me, Ta very much!

The A400M sounds good as it passes nearly overhead, is clearly faster, and will no doubt be much quieter inside, too. If it sells to Oz, perhaps they'll call it the Amberley ???

[Tester07]

The name which follows the finest traditions of mythological names for transport aircraft is highly appropriate............and also alliterative.................Airbus ATLAS.

[Donkey497]

Hmmmmmm,

It's Big,

It's Grey,

It's Heavy,


It Flies - eventually..............after a lot of encouragement.


It's got a couple of big round things high up, either side of its nose.



What else can you call it, apart from DUMBO?

Donkey:)

[Squirrel 41]

Tester07 -

Like it - not least because Atlas attempted to trick Hercules into holding up the sky whilst he buggered off.....

A vote for Airbus Atlas C. Mk 1, then.

S41

[GreenKnight121]

Tester07, Squirrel 41... they don't look much the same...

http://wapedia.mobi/thumb/d40014752/en/max/470/360/Armstrong_Whitworth_Atlas_Mk.1_ExCC.jpg?format=jpg%2Cpng%2Cg if

Armstrong Whitworth Atlas Mk.1



This looks a bit closer... and was also "froggy-built "... and actually might give "Atlas" a chance... The dual-engined transport aircraft Nord 2501 "Noratlas", with over an eight ton freight capacity, was regarded as the standard transport model for the armed forces of France, Germany and Israel for three decades. A few aircrafts were supplied to Portugal.
208 French, 186 German (most sold off in the 1970s, to various African nations & Israel)
The Armée de l'Air only retired the last of theirs in 1989.

EADS N.V. - Nord Aviation Nord 2501-Noratlas (http://classic.eads.net/1024/en/eads/history/airhist/1950_1959/nordaviation_2501_1951.html)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Nord_Aviation_N_2501D_Noratlas.jpg/800px-Nord_Aviation_N_2501D_Noratlas.jpg

[4mastacker]

The "Fergie".............because it never has enough money.

[vecvechookattack]

and some folks don't like the name Dave either

They may not like it but the JSF is going to be called Dave... So why not Mabel ?

[ZH875]

The Aborted.



Cos it might be.

[BEagle]

They may not like it but the JSF is going to be called Dave...

Only by spotters and nerds :8. The same people who think that the Buccaneer was known as the 'Brick' by its crews and that the RAF flew something termed the 'Phantom F Mk 3'*....:rolleyes:


It was actually the F-4J(UK) and was flown exclusively by 74(F) Sqn.

[minigundiplomat]

How about 'Artists Impression' or 'Future Large Aircraft', but my particular favourite......

The Airbus Industries ' tard.

[vecvechookattack]

It was actually the F-4J(UK) and was flown exclusively by 74(F) Sqn.


Careful bEagle.... That sounds like
Only by spotters and nerds

[galaxy flyer]

The C-17 is nicknamed the "Buddha" because it is fat, doesn't move and everyone worships it. So, maybe, the Mini-Buddha?

GF
Couldn't be FRED, already taken by the original FRED, but it is one.

[Motleycallsign]

I'm suprised that Airbus called it A400M in the first place and not the 'EuroFreighter'.

[MartinCh]

Motleycallsign I'm suprised that Airbus called it A400M in the first place and not the 'EuroFreighter'.

Sometimes the best solutions are the simple and too obvious to notice.. Nice.

[NutLoose]

Quote:
Motleycallsign I'm suprised that Airbus called it A400M in the first place and not the 'EuroFreighter'.
Sometimes the best solutions are the simple and too obvious to notice.. Nice.

I believe the Airbus A300B4 is referred to as Eurofreighters hence why it has not been used.

[Hardly Worth it]

Wasn't Stella Artois a famous Belgian ? :ok:

[Royalistflyer]

'Ere Nutloose - I used to live in Fortess Road - wot a liberty!

I like the Airbus Amberley - sounds alright - seriously. The Australians would like it too.

[Evanelpus]

My suggestion is Cash Cow

[mtoroshanga]

What about the Insh'Allah??Its about the only way its going to get airborne!!

[NutLoose]

Royalistflyer 'Ere Nutloose - I used to live in Fortess Road - wot a liberty!


I can see it now, a blue plaque mounted on the wall outside yer old ex abode....

'Ere lived Royalistflyer, we named a plane after the street he once lived in.

:E

[Royalistflyer]

Hmmmm... I like the idea of a blue plaque recording me ....

[Old Fella]

Please tell me the RAAF are not in the least interested in the A400M. After fifty two years of service from the "Lockheed Legends", in four different models, why on earth would the RAAF look at the Airbus product. Massively expensive and, to date, totally unproven.

[Runaway Gun]

Expensive and unproven? It's not stopped the RAAF before.

The F-111 turned out alright :ok:

[Old Fella]

Certainly, the F111 did eventually turn out to be a great aircraft, albiet very much later than anticipated. The "Wing carry-through box" problems took a long time to overcome before the RAAF took delivery. My point is that the C130, from the original "A" model through the "E" and "H" to the current "J" model have all served the RAAF extremely well in all sorts of roles and environments. With the C17 already in service, and the C130 still in production and available if required, what is the point in the RAAF leaving a proven performer for one yet to be proven?

[Rengineer]

Sure, do you wanna use them another 40 years?

The thing is, when you want something new, it's usually unproven at first - until it's proven. Of course Oz can wait another 20 years or so and then take a number of Grizzlys (that appears to be the name Airbus engineers chose for it). Upon reflection, I'd call it the Westminster, though... :8

[larssnowpharter]

Obese Albert

[VX275]

I remember the time when the Australians would have happily walked away from the C-130J but the UK was so desperate we talked the Australians into staying with the project.
The problem common to both the A400M and the C-130J is the concept of building and certifying them as civil transports before turning them into military aircraft; it don't work, the manufacturers are clueless on how to do it and it certainly aint cheap.

BTW I like the sound of Atlas C Mk 1

[Squirrel 41]

VX275 - excellent!

So, a motion that this house bestows Atlas C. Mk. 1 as the official appellation to the A400M - which is actually to be known as Mabel?

S41

[NutLoose]

Although Atlas C Mk1 sounds great, by the time the defense budget has been hacked about it will be lucky to arrive as the Roadmap C Mk1.

[Old Fella]

VX275. Just when and why did the RAAF wish to "walk away" from the C130J and why would the UK be so desperate that they needed to talk the Australian government to stick with the C130J? We only ordered the traditional 12 of model. (12 C130A - E - H previously)

The RAAF were the first non-American operator of the C130 when the C130A entered RAAF service in late 1958. I doubt that anything the UK had to say would influence the RAAF decision on whether or not to procure the C130J. The C130 is the ONLY military aircraft still in production, albiet much modified, after more than 50 years of service so I guess, Rengineer, that is one good reason to continue with the type even for another 40 years. The A400M may well eventually be shown to be a very good aircraft, if it survives in production for long enough. With fewer than 200 ordered, almost all by European operators, the future of the A400M is hardly assured.

[surely not]

Old Fella if you took away the large orders from the US military for the original C130, it probably didn't have too many orders at the same stage of life the A400M is now.........and in the days when the C130 was young, orders for military aircraft were not cut to the bone as they are now.

Atlas C Mk 1 dies have a nice ring to it.............

[Old Fella]

Point taken surely not, however there has been only one other aircraft of similar size and performance which has come even anywhere near the C130 for longevity in operation and production and that is the Russian AN-12 with a total 1200 odd produced between Russia and China.

The A400M is probably too near in payload capability to the C17 to be a viable RAAF asset. What we really need urgently is a replacement for the DH Canada Caribou.

[Jig Peter]

The esteemed gentleman from EADS/CASA happily jests about the "dual role" capability of the A330 MRTT, as well he might - I wonder what the Spanish for "Lucky Pierre, in ze middle again" is ... :D:):D


Just passing through ...


PS. For those who favour "Atlas" for the A400M's name, don't forget the US has a very useful rocket of that name ... "Euratlas" might "do", or "Eurolifter"perhaps, but the
"Eur-" bit would frighten off the UKIP-inclined among us. Surely, with all the cuts on their way, the members of the MoD's Aeroplane Naming Committee must be quivering in their boots at the prospect of a sudden redundancy anyway???

[Blacksheep]

Name three famous BelgiansEr, King Bedouin (or was it Boudoire?), Jean-Paul Keyers and Stella Artois. There. Got them all.

[philrigger]

;)

3 more famous Belgians

Eddy Merckx - World Champion Cyclist (5 times winner of Tour de France)

Tin Tin - Comic Strip Cartoon

Hercule Poirot - Fictional Detective


Philrigger.

[ian16th]

The Manneken Pis!

Manneken Pis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis)

[Mal Drop]

RMS Titanic?

[GreenKnight121]

The Manneken Pis!

Manneken Pis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manneken_Pis)

On occasion, the statue is hooked up to a keg of beer. Cups will be filled up with the beer flowing from the statue and given out to people passing by.


And served in the RAF mess?

[Mechta]

The Pit Pony

Hauling all that carbon around and may never see the light of day...

[Abbeville]

Mr Blobby

Overweight, over budget and overly late.

[Bunker Mentality]

I think 'Alas' C Mk1 would be a rather unfortunate name.

I suggest we go back to the tradition of naming ac after British towns and cities - think Hastings or Beverly.

What about Scunthorpe?

[NutLoose]

I think 'Alas' C Mk1 would be a rather unfortunate name.

I suggest we go back to the tradition of naming ac after British towns and cities - think Hastings or Beverly.

What about Scunthorpe?


In that case I propose the Bognor Mk1

or

the Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch MK1

[Bunker Mentality]

A very interesting suggestion, Nutloose, which contains many excellent letters.

But is Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch big enough to be considered a town or city?