Moore, Oklahoma

130520195628-01-oklahoma-city-tornado-0520-horizontal-gallery

(CNN)

By now most of us have heard the terrible news of the massive tornado that tore through Moore, Oklahoma.   Last coverage I saw counted 37 51 dead, but we can expect that count to rise.    The devastation from such a storm is frightening down to one’s soul.  The only thing more powerful than the winds of a tornado are the waters of a coastal hurricane.

1974_Xenia_Extensive_Deb

I know some idiot is going to say, if one hasn’t already, that these storms are due to global warming.  Remember, however, that there was just such speculation when the Xenia, Ohio F-5 super-cell tornadoes that killed 34 people in April of 1974 were blamed on global COOLING.    Which was described then as scientifically irrefutable.

The only thing more certain than nature’s occasional wrath is mankind’s arrogant stupidity.   And the ideologues who exploit tragedy for their political aims.

I loved Oklahoma and found the people to be genuine and friendly in a way that New Englanders are not.   Pray for these folks.

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Mc Donnell Douglas YC-15 (part 4)

Parts 1,2 and 3.

In January 1978, the same day the AMST program ended, the C-X (cargo experimental) program began. The CX program was needed because formulation of the Pentagon’s RDF (Rapid Deployment Force) in the late 1970s. CX would serve as RDF’s airborne transport. In short CX combined the roles of strategic and tactical airlifters. Specifically, CX requirements, among others were a max takeoff weight of 580,000 lbs, max speed of Mach0.825, a range of 2400nm, a landing run requirement of 27,000ft, and all of this with a 3 person crew (2 pilots and a loadmaster)

File:C-17 test sortie.jpg

Boeing C-17 Globemaster 3

Out of the CX program came the McDonnell Douglas (Boeing after the 1996 merger) C-17 Globemaster 3. The C-17 first flight was on 15 September 1991. The C-17 was able to combine the tactical and strategic airlift roles because of its STOL characteristics. On the outside, the YC-15 and C-17 have a very similar appearance because both use EBF to achieve STOL.

3 view drawing of the YC-15

3 view drawing of the YC-15

 

3 view drawing of the C-17

3 view drawing of the C-17

The YC-15 made quite a few contributions to the C-17 program. Many of the Mc Donnell Douglas personnel that worked on the YC-15 worked on the C-17 program. During it’s development the C-17 ran into many of the same problems that the YC-15 had. There were excessive thermal, air and acoustic loads on the portions of the flaps that were directly in the jet exhaust.

This table highlights further differences between the 2 aircraft.

Incorrect predictions of airframe drag again resulted in slightly reduced range at given takeoff weights. Range\payload went from 2,400 nm at 172,000lb to 167,000lb. A few years after the C-17 entered service it gained a reputation as a somewhat “short legged” aircraft when transiting the Pacific. However by the year 2000 this was resolved by adding a fuel tank in the overhead wing\fuselage body joint.

Center wing box fuel tank on the C-17

Center wing box fuel tank on the C-17

There were also quite a few “lessons learned” that were incorporated into the C-17. Windows for a downward view were moved slightly forward in the cockpit. The YC-15’s GWS was replaced, in the C-17 by an indexed switch attached to a mission computer that calculated optimal takeoff flap settings at a given gross weight. Loading ramp “toes” were added to the C-17.  The thrust reversers were limited to idle when deployed in-flight. Flaps were not moved during the takeoff roll and improvements were made in the DLC. The VAM in the YC-15 became a HUD (Heads-Up Display) displaying far more information on approach to the pilot.

C-17 Heads Up Display

C-17 Heads Up Display

In 1998 the YC-15 was at AMARC and that year Mc Donnell Douglas contracted with AMARC to make the YC-15 again flyable. The YC-15 was to be used as a test-bed for testing defensive countermeasures and techniques for lowering the infared signature of the C-17. The process to make 875 again flyable began in April 1996. 875 was remarkably well preserved aside from many birds’ nests in the nooks and crannies of the aircraft. The JT9D engines had to be reinstalled  and 875 was given the FAA registration “N15YC.”

On 11 April 1997 YC-15 875 again took the air from Davis-Monthan AFB for a shakedown flight. The jet flew for 2 hours 1 minute and taken to 250kt at 25,000ft.  875 was flown three more times before a planned flight to Long Beach for further modification and test work, including the addition of a new paint job.

The YC-15 in its new paint scheme seen at takeoff.

The YC-15 in its new paint scheme seen at takeoff.

Again 875 was flown again on 11 July 1998 to the Edwards AFB test ranges and some approach work at Palmdale. It was during this work that the number one engine third stage LP turbine came apart. While able to land at Palmdale without incident the YC-15 languished on the ramp until money could be made to make repairs. This was to never be.

After the Boeing/McDonnell Douglas merger, the cost of repairing 875 couldn’t be justified. As of 2002, the aircraft remained at Palmdale.

There was talk of using the YC-15 as an airborne avionics test platform to support the x-32 but Boeing opted for a 737 instead. There was thought of bringing 875 back to test some concepts for the NOTAIL ATT and to test a STOL “tilt wing” concept but none of these came to fruition.

At the time of writing YC-15 72-0876 is on display of sorts at AMARC in a semi scrapped state with the engines removed. YC-15 72-0875 was moved from Palmdale to Edwards in 2008 and is on display at the west gate of Edwards AFB, just off the Century Circle.

You can learn more about the YC-15 and C-17 here and here.

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Lies, Damned Lies, and the Obama Administration

Obama and Holdersusan-rice-hillary-clinton

One cannot think back to the last thing that the Obama Administration nor any of its appointed officials have said about Benghazi, the IRS scandal, or the illegal subpoena of Associated Press phone records that has had even a shred of truth.

About Benghazi, Hillary Clinton lied.  She knew it was a terrorist attack when she talked about some internet video being the cause of a spontaneous demonstration that turned violent.  Hillary also knew it was her State Department, and not intelligence entities, that changed the talking points into a pack of lies.   Susan Rice lied by repeating those talking points when she knew they were untrue several days after the tragedy.    Barack Obama lied when he claimed he had called the Benghazi attack “terrorism”.  He very pointedly did no such thing, and apparently believes us lazy enough to not remember what he said, or stupid enough to make us think we didn’t understand his words.

The IRS scandal keeps growing, as well.  Despite assurances at the time that no such targeting of political opponents took place, it was widespread.  Not only that but even as the assurances were being given, high level White House and IRS officials knew that targeting was happening.  The tale that it was a few “low-level employees in Cincinnati” was a deliberate fabrication.   So when President Obama tells us he heard about it on the news like everyone else, he is either an imbecile, or he is lying.    Since he considers himself smart enough to lecture us on Naval strategy during a debate, I will have to choose the latter.

Now, new revelations that the illegal, secret, unconstitutional subpoena of Associated Press phone records is much broader than we were first told.   Attorney General Eric Holder’s Justice Department has been nothing short of a criminal enterprise, with this episode yet another in a long list of violations of his oath, and of the law.  (Fast and Furious,  New Black Panthers)  His Deputy Attorney General is also complicit.  James Cole has been caught in a lie.   The extent of the subpoenas is far greater than we were told.  Another deliberate falsehood.   Resignation is not sufficient.  Eric Holder is a criminal and should be behind bars.

Dempsyjayhoffa

There has been nothing that can be believed that has come out from this Administration in this first few months of a second term.  Worse, he has two people who are willing unconditionally to sell their honor and trumpet the deliberate falsehoods of this presidency.  One is a spineless political sycophant.  The other is Jay Carney.

The Obama apologists will cling to their ideas that this is either not important, or the result of some kind of media/right-wing persecution of their Dear Leader.   That the IRS scandal, the subpoenas, and Benghazi weren’t stonewalled and obfuscated until Obama was safely re-elected.  Those who assert such, and claim anyone criticizing Barack Obama (don’t be hatin’ on Brother Barack!) is either parroting Fox News or is somehow a racist are intellectually bankrupt, and seemingly incapable of serious discussion regarding the malevolence of this Administration and its statist command-economy secular socialism.

Just as a reminder, this is the Administration that wants to control dispensing of our medical care.  That believes that it is a government responsibility to care for our children.  That believes a secret star chamber of “informed government officials” determining the grounds for assassinating Americans without criminal charges, a trial by a jury of one’s peers, or conviction in court constitutes “due process” and is a legitimate power of government.   This is the Administration that wants us to surrender our firearms, our last redress against the tyranny of government, and tells us it is for our safety and protection.

And a President that tells a commencement class not to listen to voices that tell them that tyranny is around every corner.    Small wonder.

********************************

Did I mention Fast and Furious, above?  Well, seems DoJ was going great guns, pun intended, to discredit the one who blew the whistle on Holder’s criminal activity:

The former U.S. Attorney for Arizona could be disbarred, after an investigation found he lied to the Justice Department about his role in trying to discredit the federal whistle-blower who exposed the botched gun-running scheme known as Fast and Furious.

An Office of Inspector General report showed that Dennis Burke — the former chief of staff for Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appointed as U.S. Attorney for Arizona by President Obama in September 2009 — lied when asked if he leaked sensitive documents to the press meant to undermine the credibility of ATF whistle-blower John Dodson.

“The report brings into question, yet again, the treatment that whistle-blowers receive from this administration,” Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said Monday. “Instead of examining the allegations that came forward, the Justice Department almost immediately began to attack the credibility and good name of a dedicated federal agent upset with what he was ordered to do.”

I don’t agree with Chuck Grassley.  There is no question whatever of the treatment that whistle-blowers receive from this Administration.  They get the Chicago treatment.

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Filed under army, Around the web, guns, history, islam, Lybia, navy, obama, Politics, Uncategorized, veterans

Name That Plane

This one is pretty easy….

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Filed under ARMY TRAINING

Airplane Nicknames

XBRADTC’s post on hardware nicknames led me to 2 comprehensive lists airplane nicknames:

Aircraft Nicknames

       Aardvark 		    General Dynamics F-111
       Able Dog 		    Douglas AD Skyraider
       Aerobee			    Aerojet General X-8
       All Three Dead		    Douglas A3D Skywarrier
       Aluminium Overcast	    Convair B-36 Peacemaker
       Aluminium Overcast	    Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
       Aluminium Overcast	    Douglas C-124 Globemaster
       Ambar ("Barn")               Beriev MBR-2
       Angel			    Lockheed U-2
       Anushka			    Antonov An-2
       Anushka			    Polikarpov Po-2
       Ass-Ender		    Curtiss XP-55 Ascender
       Awful Terrible Six	    North American AT-6 Texan
       Baltimore Whore		    Martin B-26 Marauder
       Bamboo Bomber		    Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
       Banjo			    McDonnell F2H Banshee
       Bantam Bomber		    Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
       Barge			    Douglas SBD Dauntless
       Bat Plane                    Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
       Beast			    Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
       Bee Tee			    Vultee BT-13 Valiant
       Bent-Wing Bird		    Vought F4U Corsair
       Blackfish		    Fairey Swordfish (built by Blackburn)
       Blechesel ("Tin Donkey")	    Junkers J I
       Bloody Paraliser 	    Handley Page 0/400
       Biff			    Bristol F.2B
       Big Bird 		    McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
       Big Stick		    Convair B-36 Peacemaker
       Billy's Bomber               North American B-25 Mitchell
       Blackbird		    Lockheed SR-71
       Black Jet		    Lockheed F-117
       Bleed-Air Blimp		    Lockheed C-130 Hercules
       Bone			    Rockwell B-1 Lancer
       Boomerang                    Northrop B-2 Spirit
       Brisfit			    Bristol F2B
       Britschik ("Little Shaver")  Bell P-39 Airacobra
       Bucon			    Hispano HA 1112K
       Budget Bomber		    Northrop B-2 Spirit
       Buff			    Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
       (Big, Ugly Fat F*****)
       Bug Smasher		    Beech C-45 Expeditor
       Bumble Bee		    McDonnell XF-85 Goblin
       Buzz Bomb		    V-1
       Cadillac 		    Northrop M2
       Canuck                       Curtiss JN-4D
       Catfish			    Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk
       Cee One-Oh-Boom		    Consolidated C-109 Liberator
       Chaika (Gull)		    Beriev Be-12 'Mail'
       Chaika (Gull)		    Polikarpov I-153
       Chickenhawk		    Cessna T-41 Mescalero
       Chipmunk                     Boeing RC-135C
       Clunk			    Douglas SBD Dauntless
       Coconutknocker		    Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
       Connie			    Lockeed Constellation
       Convertor		    Cessna T-37
       Cradle                       Fairchild PT-19
       Cranberry		    Martin B-57 Canberra
       Crane			    Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe
       Crowd Killer		    Fairchild C-87 Packet
       Crowd Killer		    Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
       Dagger			    Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
       Dart			    Convair F-106 Delta Dart
       Delta Queen		    Convair B-58 Hustler
       Deuce			    Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
       Dinosaur 		    Boeing X-20 Dyna-Soar
       Dogship			    Grumman A-6 Intruder
       Dollar Nineteen		    Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
       Doodlebug		    V-1
       Dorito			    MDD A-12
       Double-Breasted Cub	    Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
       Double Ugly		    McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
       Double Ugly		    Grumman EA-6B Prowler
       Dowager Ducchess 	    Douglas C-47 Dakota
       Dragon Lady		    Lockheed U-2
       Dreifinger (Three Fingers)   Junkers Ju 88
       Droop Snoot		    Lockheed P-38 Lightning with glass nose
       Egg			    Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
       Electric Jet		    General Dynamics F-16
       Emil			    Messerschmitt Bf 109E
       Etagere (Elevator)           NC.1071
       Faithfull Annie		    Avro Anson
       Fat Albert		    Lockheed C-130 Hercules
       Fertile Myrtle		    Grumman AF-2W Guardian
       Fifi			    Grumman F3F
       Fliegendes Stachelschwein    Short Sunderland
       Flying Banana		    Vertol CH-21 Workhorse
       Flying Bathtub		    Northrop M2F
       Flying Bedstead		    Rolls-Royce TMR
       Flying Carrot		    Westland Lysander
       Flying Coffin		    Airspeed Horsa
       Flying Dump Truck            Douglas AD Skyraider
       Flying Edsel		    General Dynamics F-111
       Flying Eggbeater 	    Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly
       Flying Gas Station	    Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
       Flying Prostitute	    Martin B-26 Marauder
       Flying Potato		    Martin-Marietta X-24A
       Flying Flatiron		    Martin-Marietta X-24B
       Flying Shithouse 	    Kaman HH-43 Huskie
       Flying Suitcase              Handley Page Hampden
       Flying Speed Brake	    Lockheed Constellation
       Flying Washboard 	    Ford Trimotor
       FOD Vacuum		    Northrop F-89 Scorpion
       Ford			    Douglas F4D Skyray
       Fork-tailed Devil	    Lockheed P-38 Lightning
       FRED                         Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
       (Fantastic Ridiculous Economic Disaster)
       Fritz			    Messerschmitt Bf 109F
       Frog			    Martin P5M Mariner
       Frustrated Palm Tree	    Sikorsky R-4 Hoverfly
       Gabelschwanzteufel	    Lockheed P-38 Lightning
       (Fork-tailed devil)
       Gator			    Boeing T-43
       Go Get Him Fido              AIM-120 AMRAAM
       Ghost			    Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
       Ginnie			    Vickers Virginia
       Gipsy Rose Lee		    Curtiss P-40L Warhawk
       Gliding Electric Show	    Grumman EA-6B Prowler
       GLOB			    Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
       (Ground Loving Old Bastard)
       Gooney Bird		    Douglas C-47 Dakota
       Grach                        Suchoi Su-25
       Grand Old Lady		    Douglas C-47 Dakota
       Ground Gripper		    De Havilland Trident
       Ground Loving Whore	    Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
       Guppy			    Grumman AF-2W Guardian
       Gustav			    Messerschmitt Bf 109G
       Gutless Cutlass		    Vought F7U Cutlass
       Habu			    Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
       Halibag                      Handley Page Halifax
       Heinneman's Hot Rod          Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
       Helldiver                    Curtiss F8C
       Herk			    Lockheed C-130 Hercules
       Hog			    Republic F-84 Thunderjet
       Hog			    Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
       Hog			    Lockheed C-130 Hercules
       Hog			    Bell UH-1 Iroquois
       Hog Nose                     Boeing RC-135M
       Hook			    Boeing CH-47 Chinook
       Huey			    Bell UH-1 Iroquois
       Huey Cobra		    Bell AH-1 Cobra
       Hummer			    Cessna T-37
       Hummer			    Grumman E-2 Hawkeye
       Hun			    North American F-100 Super Sabre
       Iron Butterfly		    Republic F-105 Thunderchief
       Ironworks		    Grumman
       Ishak ("Jackass")            Polikarpov I-16
       Jenny			    Curtiss JN
       Jug			    Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
       Jump Jet 		    BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier
       Kaasjager (Cheese fighter)   North American F-86K Sabre
       Katy			    Payen Pa 49
       Katyusha 		    Tupolev SB-2
       Kanonenvogel                 Junkers Ju 87G
       Kobry ("Cobra")              Bell P-39 Airacobra
       Kraft Ei (power egg)         Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
       Kukuruznik		    Antonov An-2
       Lanc                         Avro Lancaster
       Lawn Dart		    General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
       Lawn Dart		    Rockwell B-1 Lancer
       Lead Sled		    McDonnell F3H Demon
       Lead Sled		    Republic F-84 Thunderjet
       Lead Sled		    Republic F-105 Thunderchief
       Lead Sled		    Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
       Lead Sled		    Boeing RC-135U
       Lieutenant Eater 	    Republic F-84 Thunderjet
       Little Hummer		    General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
       Little Hummer		    Douglas A-26 Invader
       Little Racer		    Douglas A-26 Invader
       Lizzie			    Westland Lysander
       Loach			    Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
       Magnesium Overcast	    Convair B-36 Peacemaker
       Man-Eater		    LTV A-7 Corsair II
       Maytag Messerschmitt	    Ryan PT-22 Recruit
       Meatbox                      Gloster Meteor
       Mezek ("Mule")               Avia S-199
       MiG Master		    Vought F8U Crusader
       Mighty Iron Hardware	    Republic F-105 Thunderchief
       Mighty Mite		    Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
       Monkeyknocker		    Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
       Mos Neata (Geezer)	    I.A.R. 39
       Mosca (Fly)		    Polikarpov I-16
       Nighthawk		    Lockheed F-117
       Ninak			    De Havilland D.H.9A
       North American Safety Jet    North American T-2 Buckeye
       Old Metuselah		    Douglas C-47 Dakota
       Old Shaky		    Douglas C-124 Globemaster
       Old Smokey		    McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
       Olive on a toothpick	    Hughes OH-6 Cayuse
       One-Oh-Wonder		    McDonnell F-101 Voodoo
       Overcast 		    North American B-70 Valkyrie
       Panzerknacker                Junkers Ju 87G
       Peacemaker		    Convair B-36
       Pea Shooter		    Boeing P-26
       Peter Dash Flash 	    North American P-51 Mustang
       Pinball			    Bell RP-63 Kingcobra
       Placid Plodder		    Douglas C-47 Dakota
       Plastic Bug                  McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet
       Polecat			    Grumman X-29
       Porker			    Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
       Pregnant Beast		    Grumman TBF Avenger
       Puff, the Magic Dragon	    Douglas AC-47
       Pylly Walteri                Brewster B-239 Buffalo (Finnish)
       (Bustling Walter)
       Queen			    Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
       Q-bird			    Grumman EA-6B Prowler
       Queer			    Grumman EA-6B Prowler
       Radial Interceptor	    Beech T-34 Mentor
       Rhapsody in Glue 	    Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
       Rhino			    McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
       Sabre Dog		    North American F-86D Sabre
       Scarier			    BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier
       Scrapper 		    Grumman AF-2S Guardian
       Seven Balls Two		    Convair XF-92
       Shagbat			    Supermarine Walrus
       Shar                         BAe Sea Harrier
       Shithook 		    Boeing CH-47 Chinook
       Silver Bullet		    Convair XP-81
       Silver Dollar		    North American F-100 Super Sabre
       Silver Sow		    Boeing C-135
       Six			    Convair F-106 Delta Dart
       Six Shooter		    Convair F-106 Delta Dart
       Skooter			    Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
       Skunk Works		    Lockheed's Burbank plant
       Skycrane 		    Sykorsky CH-54 Tarhe
       Skyhog			    Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
       SLAT			    Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
       (Slow, Low Aerial Target)
       Sled			    Lockheed SR-71
       Slick			    Bell UH-1 Iroquois
       Slick Chick		    North American RF-100A
       Slow But Deadly		    Douglas SBD Dauntless
       Slow Navy Bomber 	    Beech SNB Kansan
       Sluf			    LTV A-7 Corsair II
       (Short, little ugly fellah)
       Snake			    Bell AH-1 Cobra
       Snake			    Lockheed P2V Neptune
       Son of a Bitch 2nd Class     Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
       Spad			    Douglas A-1 Skyraider
       Spam Can 		    North American P-51 Mustang
       Sparkvark		    Grumman EF-111 Raven
       Speedy Three		    Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless
       Spit			    Supermarine Spitfire
       Squash Bomber		    Republic F-105 Thunderchief
       Staggerwing		    Beech 17
       Superbolt		    Republic P-47 Thunderbolt with 'bubble'
				    cockpit.
       Stanley Steamer		    Northrop F-89 Scorpion
       Star Lizard		    Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
       Sterile Arrow		    Grumman EA-6B Prowler
       Stoof			    Grumman S2F Tracker
       Strat			    Boeing 377 Stratocruiser
       Stratobladder		    Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
       Strike Pig		    Boeing T-43
       Stringbag		    Fairey Swordfish
       Stuka			    Junkers Ju-87
       Super Hog		    Republic F-84F Thunderstreak
       Super Shitter		    Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion
       Swinger			    General Dynamics F-111
       Switchblade		    General Dynamics F-111
       Swoose Goose		    Vultee XP-54
       Tadpole			    Grumman A-6 Intruder
       Taivaan Helmi (Sky Pearl)    Brewster B-239 Buffalo (Finnish)
       Tank			    Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
       Tante Ju 		    Junkers Ju 52/3m
       Tausendfussler		    Arado Ar 232
       T-bird			    Lockheed T-33
       T-bolt			    Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
       Tennis Court		    McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
       Thud			    Republic F-105 Thunderchief
       Thunder Piglet		    Fairchild Republic T-46A
       Thunderscreech		    Republic XF-84H
       Tin Goose		    Ford Trimotor
       Tinker Toy		    Douglas A-4 Skyhawk
       Tin Mossie		    Vickers 432
       Torbeau                      Bristol Beaufighter TF.X
       Tripehound		    Sopwith Triplane
       Triple Threat		    Republic F-105 Thunderchief
       Tsetse			    De Havilland Mosquito FB Mk.XVIII
       T-tailed Mountain Magnet     Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
       Tub			    Convair TF-102 Delta Dagger
       Turkey			    Grumman F-14 Tomcat
       Turkey			    Grumman TBF Avenger
       Tweet			    Cessna T-37
       Tweety Bird		    Cessna T-37
       Ubiytsa (Killer) 	    Yakovlev Yak-3U
       Ultra Hog		    Republic F-105 Thunderchief
       Useless 78		    Cessna UC-78 Bobcat
       Useless Deuce                Lockheed U-2
       Velcro Hawk                  Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
       Vibrator 		    Vultee BT-13 Valiant
       Viper			    General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
       Voting Member		    F-16 pilot
       Warthog			    Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II
       Whale			    Douglas F3D Skynight
       Whale			    Douglas A3D Skywarrior
       Whispering Death 	    Vought F4U Corsair (apocryphical?)
       Whispering Death 	    Bristol Beaufighter
       Whistling Shitcan	    BAe/MDD AV-8 Harrier
       White Rocket		    Northrp T-38 Talon
       Widow-Maker		    Martin B-26 Marauder
       Willy Fudd		    Grumman W2F
       Wimpy			    Vickers Wellington
       Wobblin' Goblin              Lockheed F-117
       World's Largest Dog Whistle  Cessna T-37
       Yastreb (Hawk)		    Polikarpov I-16
       Yastrebok (Little Hawk)	    Polikarpov I-16, also for other fighters
       Yellow Peril		    Stearman N2S / PT-17 Kaydet

and here too but there may be some overlap. I’m sure most are familiar to most readers. Feel free to add some in the comments that aren’t listed. 2 that I didn’t see were the Cessna 208 called the “Baja” and the Citation 1 called the “slowtation.”

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Load HEAT- Eva Mendes

Eva may not be an A-list actress, but she’s had a strong career, and she’s been kind enough to be photographed a lot.

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The Mind of the Grunt

Had a conversation tonight that included “Donkey Dick” and “Dogbone” both of which are terms universally applied in lieu of proper nomenclature for c0mmon items in the Infantry. In fact, in both cases, I  don’t know the actual nomenclature.  Tactical radios were commonly referred to as “pricks” but that was mostly because their actual designation began with “PRC-___.”

It’s awfully common for items in the Army to be known by a name that has no relation to what the government actually calls it.

What have you seen called by a common name that may raise some eyebrows?

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