Aircraft Nicknames – The 100+ Most Creative Ones With Explanations

Welcome to the ultimate collection of unofficial aircraft nicknames! From the witty and ingenious names given by pilots and ground crew, to legendary monikers that have stuck through history, this page unveils over 100 of the most creative nicknames for both military and civilian aircraft.

Military Aircraft Nicknames

US Military Aircraft Nicknames

Dive into the world of official and often humorous unofficial nicknames given to U.S. military combat, transport, and bomber aircraft. Discover how legendary planes earned their distinctive monikers, frequently inspired by their appearance or their characteristics in flight and battle.

B-1 Lancer – Bone, lengthened form of “B-1” (“B-one”)

B-2 Spirit – Beak, reference to its sharp nose, Voron (Russian for “hawk”), Boomerang reference to its shape

A-7 Corsair II – SLUF (Short Little Ugly Feller)

C-17 Globemaster III – Barney

A-1 Skyraider – Able Dog, reference to its original “AD” (Attack aircraft, Douglas) designation, Zorro, Spad, Fat Face (A-1E), Sandy

A-6 Intruder – Drumstick, Pregnant Guppy, Whale (KA-6)

B-52 Stratofortress – BUFF, Big Ugly Fat F****r – The iconic B-52 Stratofortress earned its notorious unofficial nickname ‘BUFF’, short for ‘Big Ugly Fat F****r’, due to its immense size, robust appearance, and long-standing presence in the U.S. Air Force.

C-121 Constellation – Connie, short form of “Constellation”

C-124 Globemaster II – Shakey. If you ever flew aboard one you’d quickly understand why. Aluminium Overcast, as well.

F-4 Phantom II – Double ugly, Eisensau (German for “iron pig”), Fliegende Ziegelstein (German for “flying brick”), Luftverteidigungsdiesel (German for “air defense diesel”)

U-2 – Dragon Lady, Angel

O-2 Skymaster – Cessna suck-blow, reference to the pusher and puller engine arrangement, The duck, Mixmaster, Oscar Deuce, long form of the “O-2” designation, Pushmepullyou

F-16 Fighting Falcon – Electric jet, reference to its “fly by wire” operation

H-21 Shawnee – Flying banana, reference to its shape

F-104 Starfighter – Flying coffin, reference to the number of Luftwaffe crashes, Zipper, Missile With A Man In It, Sled, Widowmaker (in the Luftwaffe), Erdnagel (tent pegs) – The F-104 Starfighter was infamously nicknamed ‘Flying Coffin’ and ‘Widowmaker’ (especially in the Luftwaffe) due to its high accident rate and challenging flight characteristics. This supersonic interceptor was known for its powerful engine but also for its unforgiving nature, leading to significant concerns about pilot safety during its service life in various air forces.

C-5 Galaxy – Aluminum Overcast, Cumulus Aluminus, Big Mac, Fat Albert, FRED (Foolishly Ridiculous Economic Disaster), Linda Lovelace, Queer (every time it kneels, it blows something) – The nickname ‘Queer‘ for the C-5 Galaxy humorously refers to its unique hydraulic system that allows it to ‘kneel’ for easier cargo loading. The joke implies that ‘every time it kneels, it blows something’ – a playful jab.

CH-46 Sea Knight – Frog

KC-135 Stratotanker – Strato-Bladder, Steam Jet, Fanbird (R version)

F-15 Eagle – Flying tennis court, reference to the size of the wings, Big Bird

F-15E Strike Eagle – Beagle (Bomber Eagle)

A-4 Skyhawk – Heinemann’s hot rod, reference to the designer Ed Heinemann. The A-4 was also lovingly referred to as the Scooter by pilots and crews. Bantam Bomber

F-117 Nighthawk – Hopeless diamond, a play on “Hope diamond” because of its unairworthy-looking shape, Wobblin’ Goblin, reference to its supposed instability in flight, BatPlane, Cockroach, Roach (they only come out at night)

UH-1 Iroquois – Huey, derived from its original “Hu-1” designation, Teppichklopfer (German for “carpet beater”)

E-2 Hawkeye – Hummer

F-100 Super Sabre – Hun, short for “hundred”, a reference to its designation. Also called Lead sled.

AC-47 ‘Spooky’ gunship – Puff the Magic Dragon, Night Dragon Lady – The AC-47 gunship earned its memorable nickname ‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ (and ‘Night Dragon Lady’) from its unique operational characteristic: firing streams of 7.62×51 mini-gun tracer rounds at night. The glowing red tracers, especially from its three 6-barrel miniguns, created a visual effect reminiscent of a dragon breathing fire, strikingly similar to the popular song’s imagery.

AT-6 Texan – The pilot maker, Awful Terrible Six

S-2 Tracker – Stoof

F-105 Thunderchief – Thud, Nickle

A-10 Thunderbolt II – Warthog, Hog – The A-10 Thunderbolt II is universally known as the ‘Warthog’ or simply ‘Hog’. This nickname comes from its distinctive, rugged appearance, including its flat, wide nose (resembling a warthog’s snout) and its formidable GAU-8 Avenger Gatling gun, making it look tough and aggressive, much like its namesake.

XF-84H – ground crews nicknamed it “Thunderscreech” because the plane was so loud. The XF-84H remains the loudest aircraft ever produced.

A-37 Dragonfly – Dog Whistle, Converter (jet fuel into noise)

F-14 Tomcat – Turkey, Bombcat (bomb capable version), Peeping Tom (equipped w/TARPS), Tomturkey

Douglas F4D Skyray – Ford

Chance-Vought F7U Cutlass – Gutless (It was underpowered)

Douglas A3D Skywarrior – All Three Dead

Convair B-36 Peacemaker – Aluminium Overcast, Big Stick, Six Turning Four Burning

McDonnell F2H Banshee – Banjo

Lockheed C-130 Hercules – Bleed-Air Blimp

McDonnell XF-85 Goblin – Bumble Bee

Russian Military Aircraft Nicknames

Russian military aircraft also boast their own unique and often imaginative nicknames. From the Soviet era to the modern day, these names were frequently inspired by animals, the aircraft’s shape, or its performance, giving them a special character.

Su-27 was nicknamed the Zhuravlik (Crane) and sometimes Sushka

MiG-29 was called, well, Fulcrum in Russian service. Apparently, their crews thought the name to be rather fitting.

Su-25 – Grach (Rook). Su-25 was sometimes called the Russian word for Comb (Raschoska) because of the many pylons on each wing, it looked like a comb in plain view.

Tu-160 – Biyeliy Lebed (White Swan)

Tu-22 (Blinder) was the Russian word for Awl (Shilo) as in the leather punch. This nickname was given due to its distinctive pointed nose and sleek, elongated fuselage, which visually resembled the piercing tool used for leatherwork.”

Mi-24 is invariable – Krokodil

Su-9 and Su-11 supposedly were nicknamed Balalaika because of their shape

Two-seat trainers like MiG-21UM, Mig-23UB, and others are called Sparka which is a slang designation of something that is paired

Mig-23 was called Chiboraska (a popular Russian TV cartoon) in some units. In GDR units the Mig-23 was called “The Piper” due high noise of its engine

Dove of Peace – Golub Mira was the humorous nickname for any early MiG or Su fighters that did not have a built-in cannon

WWII World War 2 Nicknames

World War II was a time of incredible aviation innovation, and many of these legendary aircraft earned memorable nicknames. This section compiles the most famous WWII airplane nicknames, often born from the experiences of pilots and ground crews.

UC-78 Bobcat – Boxkite, Brasshat, Rhapsody in Glue, Useless-78, a play on the UC-78 designation, Wichita Wobbler

F4U Corsair – Bent wing bird, reference to its gull-wing design. Ensign Eliminator (a handful for inexperienced pilots)

North American B-25 Mitchell – Billy’s Bomber

Beech C-45 Expeditor – Bug Smasher

Martin B-26 Marauder – Widowmaker, Baltimore Wh**e (small wings = “No visible means of support”)

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt – Jug

F6F Hellcat – Ace Maker, reference to its success in battle

Douglas SBD Dauntless – Slow But Deadly, long form of the “SBD” designation. Barge

P-39 Airacobra – Britchik, Russian for “Little shaver“

SB2C Helldiver – Son of a B**ch, 2nd Class, long form of the “SB2C” designation, Beast

Grumman Avenger – Tarpon, early British designation

Consolidated C-109 – C-One-oh-BOOM

Vultee BT-13 Valiant – Bee Tee

Fairey Swordfish – Blackfish

Curtiss XP-55 Ascender – Ass-Ender

C-46 Commando – The Whale

SB2C Helldiver – The Beast

UC-78 Bobcat – Bamboo bomber

C-47 Skytrain – Gooney bird

PT-22 Recruit – Maytag Messerschmitt

F3F – Flying barrel, reference to its shape

V-1 – Buzz Bomb

WWI World War 1 Nicknames

Even the pioneering aircraft of World War I, with their unique designs and early technology, acquired distinctive nicknames. Explore how these early flying machines were named in the dawn of aviation.

Handley Page 0/400 – Bloody Paraliser

Bristol F.2B – Biff, Brisfit

Civilian Aircraft Nicknames

It’s not just military planes that get nicknames; civilian aircraft also have their witty and recognizable appellations. From large passenger jets to smaller private planes, uncover how popular commercial aircraft earned their unofficial monikers.

A318 – Nanobus

A319 – Microbus

A320 – MiniBus, NintendoJet, ScareBus, Chainsaw, Toulouse Grasscutter, A320 is known as ‘The John Wayne‘ because they ‘Chop down trees, move mountains…’

A380 – Double Decker Bus, Megabus

BAC 111 – Pocket rocket

BAe146 – Viscount 900, Smurfjet with 5 APU’s, Bumble-et, BabyJumbo, Bring Another Engine, 1-4-Sick, Tonka Toy, 4 oil leaks connected by an electrical fault, TheQuadra-Puff, Lead Sled, Mini Galaxy, Sky Dozer, Fisher Price 747, “1 aeroplane, 4engines, needs 6”

Beech 18 – Flying snag

Beech 99 – 99-Liner