Name on Aircraft Side
 

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

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.

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

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 :}

MoD Name Allocation System
 

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.....

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.

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

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.

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

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?

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.

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! :*

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Aircraft with Rank and Names displayed
 

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

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