'Mallard' Callsign
'Mallard' Callsign
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 428
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From: R4808E
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: England
...agree with WhichWay, what have they done ?
Apart from convenience, callsigns are used to disguise military movements (ie. Sqn ops) from hostile ears....although a few spotters have noted them and publish.
'Mallard' has been used for ages, so it shouldn't be hard for you to find out.
Apart from convenience, callsigns are used to disguise military movements (ie. Sqn ops) from hostile ears....although a few spotters have noted them and publish.
'Mallard' has been used for ages, so it shouldn't be hard for you to find out.
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: preston
mallard
how can a callsign be used to disguise military movements? you call up and say mallard x number of aircraft type and bingo youve blown it. and you put it on a flight plan so why the need for acting as if its the holy grail?
Moderator
Joined: Jul 1997
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 3,231
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From: Europe
More than a little out of date ........ but probably still used by Menwith Hill 
http://mir.irisz.hu/cucc/misc/Csign.txt
http://mir.irisz.hu/cucc/misc/Csign.txt
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
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From: Peripatetic
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: England
Canberra:
Because, for example, 'Saxon' calling up and stating they're a bunch of tornadoes doesn't give away their Sqn and role - ok, so you probably know who 'mallard' are but that's the nature of their callsign - type specific, with a limited No of operators.
as for being the holy grail, it's not, but equally broadcasting it to all and sundry isn't a great idea....unless they're spotters !
Because, for example, 'Saxon' calling up and stating they're a bunch of tornadoes doesn't give away their Sqn and role - ok, so you probably know who 'mallard' are but that's the nature of their callsign - type specific, with a limited No of operators.
as for being the holy grail, it's not, but equally broadcasting it to all and sundry isn't a great idea....unless they're spotters !
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Military (Retired)
Posts: 353
Likes: 7
From: It's a secret
Thats because Guy Gibsons dog was called 'Nygger', indeed I used to be O i/c Nyggers grave when I was a first tourist on the Sqn. It really pisses me off the the mamby pamby pc brigade have had the film 'The Dambusters' edited so that the dog is now called 'Boy' just in case historical fact should upset some delicate flower!!!!!!!!
PS I had to incorrectly spell it because even PPrune censors historical fact
PS I had to incorrectly spell it because even PPrune censors historical fact
Joined: May 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATP+Mil
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From: Quite near 'An aerodrome somewhere in England'
With reference to the 'Dambusters' movie, originally the correct name was used. Later crude attempts to eradicate the real name of the dog were very clumsy. First they tried to dub it over as 'Digger', then erasing the soundtrack whenever the name of Gibson's dog was mentioned. That was a bit obvious, so they just cut bits out. Hence when the codeword for the breach of the Moehne Dam is sent by Gibson's wireless operator and is received at Scampton, nowadays you just see an operator yelling "It's gone" - in a heavily censored cut from the original film.
It is a matter of historical fact that Guy Gibson's black labrador had a name. He was killed on the eve of the raid and his name was used as the codeword for the breach of the Moehne Dam. Does anyone really think that the name Gibson chose was a deliberate affront to anyone?
When Speccers and I were at Sunny Scampton, certainly there was an (artificial) grave outside the 617th's building dedicated to the memory of Gibson's dog. It wasn't, in fact, the real site of the grave, but a memorial. Well looked after by 617 (and regularly peed upon by 35 Sqn). I didn't check whether it was still there when I was at Scampton doing my CFS course - it was bad enough just to have to be flying little Learning Command aeroplanes from a base which used to echo to the thunder of our V-bombers 15 years earlier........
I hardly think that he would have chosen the name you suggest, S-u-L!
It is a matter of historical fact that Guy Gibson's black labrador had a name. He was killed on the eve of the raid and his name was used as the codeword for the breach of the Moehne Dam. Does anyone really think that the name Gibson chose was a deliberate affront to anyone?
When Speccers and I were at Sunny Scampton, certainly there was an (artificial) grave outside the 617th's building dedicated to the memory of Gibson's dog. It wasn't, in fact, the real site of the grave, but a memorial. Well looked after by 617 (and regularly peed upon by 35 Sqn). I didn't check whether it was still there when I was at Scampton doing my CFS course - it was bad enough just to have to be flying little Learning Command aeroplanes from a base which used to echo to the thunder of our V-bombers 15 years earlier........
I hardly think that he would have chosen the name you suggest, S-u-L!
Last edited by BEagle; 18th August 2002 at 10:29.